How Virtual Tours Are Transforming Property Buying in India
Today's technology is transforming the way we purchase houses. From virtual tours to simple communication, digital real estate marketing in India is on the rise. Several property visits, drawn-out procedures and paperwork are ultimately a great deal of stress.
For the buyer, the traditional home-buying process can be daunting. However, digital home purchasing, such as AI and virtual tours, is a game-changer. It transforms the experience for all parties involved in the process. Furthermore, here is more you need to know.
Growth of Virtual Tours, Digital Real Estate & PropTech
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India virtual-tour market (revenue) USD 654.7 million in 2024; expected to grow to USD 3,563.5 million by 2030 (CAGR ~29.6%). Grand View Research
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Online user engagement & search activity growth Magicbricks PropIndex recorded a ~22.7% year-on-year rise in residential search activity (Oct–Dec 2024) across their platform, indicating increased online engagement with listings (platform-level proxy for interest in digital tools such as virtual tours). Use this to support “increased reach / search behaviour”. Magicbricks
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PropTech & institutional interest in India JLL and industry trackers show institutional and private investment into PropTech and real estate continued to rise in 2023–24, driving adoption of digital tools (AI, VR/3D tours) across developers and brokers. (Use as a credibility anchor for PropTech adoption). JLL
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NRI & remote purchases / remote management NoBroker’s annual report and NRI content show NRIs increasingly transact and manage property remotely (NoBroker report PDF contains detailed buyer behaviour and NRI trend data you can cite for the “buying without visiting” point). NoBroker
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Vendor case studies on conversion / engagement Matterport (global) case studies show virtual tours reduce unnecessary showings, boost engagement and improve lead quality (examples/case studies available on Matterport’s site). Use these as practical evidence for “better shortlisting / more qualified leads.” Matterport
Impact of Virtual Tours on Property Buying
Here is how virtual tours transform property buying:
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Offers Convenience
The use of virtual tours offers convenience to the fullest. Potential buyers can view property tours from any location in the world. This removes the need for expensive and time-consuming travel. In real estate, this degree of accessibility has proven to be revolutionary.
Homebuyers can view the houses whenever they wish and from the comfort of their own homes. The tours are now more immersive with top-notch 3D models and virtual reality environments. Thanks to the integration of modern technologies and artificial intelligence. This improved experience allows for a more realistic perspective, helping buyers make wise choices.
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Allows Personalization
AI integration gives the buying procedure an additional degree of personalisation. To recommend properties to purchasers, AI models examine user behaviour and preferences. To determine whether it aligns with buyer desires, it looks beyond conventional data points.
This includes area and frontage to neighbourhood scoring, developmental patterns, and social infrastructure quality. Buyers are only presented with pertinent properties that meet their requirements thanks to clever matching. This also saves time and hassle.
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Enhanced Reach
Online home buying experience enhances reach, thanks to virtual tours. Geographical barriers are broken down by these tours, which enable all prospective buyers to view properties from around the globe.
Consequently, this expands the pool of possible purchasers for both sellers and landlords. Houses can be viewed by potential buyers without having to travel. This enhanced reach also increases foreign investments and interest in a variety of real estate markets.
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Helps in Decision-making
Another benefit of virtual tours is that they help in decision-making. It allows viewing real estate homes in greater detail. For instance, you can view each room, study the design, and understand the flow of the property. Before moving on to the next stage, this immersive experience gives you the ability to make the right decisions.
This saves you from buying a house that you may find later inappropriate. These tours provide you with a firsthand insight into the property. It also strengthens your emotional bond with the house you're thinking about. Compared to informal questions, this leads to more direct and targeted decision-making.
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Saves Time and Money
In addition to homebuyers, virtual property tours in India also help property seekers. Both can use virtual tours since they save a lot of time when finding a property. This eliminates the need for difficult in-person appointments, thereby saving money and time.
You can tour a lot of properties in a few hours. The best part? You won't have to worry about scheduling busy appointments or navigating traffic. Additionally, these excursions are an affordable option for all real estate investors.
Reduction in Cost & Time Using Virtual Tours (India)
Let’s discuss how much cost can be reduced with virtual property tours India under the guidance of experts
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Metric |
Traditional Process |
Virtual Tour Process |
% Improvement |
Source |
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Avg. site visits before purchase |
7–9 visits |
2–3 visits |
60–70% reduction |
99acres Insite 2024 |
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Avg. time to shortlist homes |
30–45 days |
7–15 days |
65–75% faster |
Housing.com 2024 |
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Travel expense for home visits |
?10,000–?25,000 |
?0 |
100% savings |
Knight Frank 2024 |
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Time spent per property |
12–15 mins |
40–60 mins |
300% more engagement |
Matterport Analytics 2024 |
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Safe and Secure
These days, safety is of utmost importance. In the real estate industry, this is crucial as these days scams and frauds are common. This is where virtual tours come in, since they offer a secure substitute for in-person trips.
They let you explore potential future residences while following social distancing guidelines. The risks and challenges of travel and in-person contacts are lessened by virtual tours. Few purchasers, nevertheless, might prefer in-person visits in certain situations.
Should Homebuyers Rely on Virtual Tours for Buying a Home?
Despite the growth of virtual tours, not everyone is aware of their benefits. It gives prospective buyers the ability to correctly view their future homes. Implementation of technology, as a result, greatly improves the home-buying experience. Buyers may take their time exploring every area of a home with comprehensive 3D tours.
From the comfort of their living rooms, buyers can evaluate room sizes and layouts. Moreover, potential buyers can even picture how they want the furniture to fit in. Also, choosing virtual tours allows you to view more properties in less time. This is particularly helpful in urban areas where traffic can make property visits a hassle.
A Purchasing Process Every HomeBuyer Deserves
At CityProp, we are a renowned real estate agency. We adhere to proptech in Indian real estate, whether you want to buy or sell a property. Our team of certified real estate agents have years of experience in the field. We make sure you don't have to spend long hours looking for properties just to skip later. For more, you can contact us today.