The way people choose property is changing. Instead of relying solely on static images and in-person visits, buyers expect immersive digital experiences. For real estate professionals, developers and property managers, this shift opens both opportunity and challenge.
At Hitechniques, we believe that the next standard in property marketing lies in 3D spatial capture and digital twins. Matterport, a leading platform for creating interactive, navigable 3D models of real spaces, is at the heart of this transformation. As the authorised distributor of Matterport cameras and solutions in Ireland, and as a provider of training, equipment and support, we are uniquely positioned to help property professionals adopt this technology.
This article explores how Matterport is reshaping property viewings, what real benefits it delivers, the obstacles to adoption, and how the technology fits into the wider PropTech landscape. We also highlight real use cases and local context to anchor the discussion in the Irish and UK markets. By the end, we aim to show why embracing Matterport is not a novelty but a necessity for forward-looking property professionals.
Key Takeaways
- Matterport creates immersive 3D spatial models (“digital twins”) that let buyers walk through a property virtually.
- Tours with measurement tools, annotations and multiple views increase transparency and user confidence.
- Agents and sellers save time and filter leads by offering virtual pre-viewings.
- Matterport models integrate with BIM, VR, and marketing platforms, forming a PropTech nexus.
- Challenges include training, subscription cost, upload bandwidth, and dealing with tough scanning environments.
Did you know? Over 177 countries have been transformed into immersive digital twins using Matterport solutions.
The Status Quo of Property Viewing
Traditional property viewing methods still dominate many markets:
- 2D photography for interiors and exteriors
- Static floor plans shared as PDFs or images
- Video walkthroughs uploaded to listing sites
- In-person viewings and open houses
These approaches have several limitations:
- Scheduling constraints: Coordinating viewings between buyers, agents and sellers can lead to delays or missed opportunities.
- Geographic barriers: Buyers located far away or overseas investors may find physical visits impractical.
- Limited sense of flow and scale: Photographs and drawings often fail to convey spatial relationships, sightlines, scale and circulation.
- High overhead: Each viewing consumes time for agents, travel, property access and follow-ups.
- Inconsistency: Quality and angles vary by photographer, leaving some rooms or details under-represented.
- Limited reach: Properties not viewable online may attract fewer leads.
Buyer expectations have shifted significantly. More people now shortlist and evaluate properties virtually before committing to a physical visit. This evolution calls for new tools that provide transparency, engagement and convenience long before a buyer steps across the threshold.
What Matterport Is and How It Works
Understanding the Digital Twin
A digital twin is an immersive, accurate 3D model of a real space. It allows users to explore a property virtually, measure distances, view from multiple perspectives and interact with embedded information. In real estate, the digital twin becomes a powerful tool for marketing, inspection and collaboration. Matterport is one of the most established platforms enabling this capability.
Capture, Processing and Delivery
Here is how a typical Matterport workflow functions:
- Scanning: Use a Matterport camera such as the Pro2 or Pro3 to capture multiple vantage points throughout the property.
- Upload and processing: The captured images and depth data are uploaded to the Matterport cloud, where artificial intelligence stitches them into a coherent 3D model.
- Editing and annotation: Users can add tags, descriptions, annotations or notes within the model.
- Publishing and sharing: The final model is viewable in a browser or VR and can be embedded in websites or integrated into listings.
Essential features include:
- Interactive 3D walkthrough mode
- Dollhouse view for full-layout visualisation
- Measurement mode for distances and areas
- Schematic floor plans and exports
- Embedded notes, links and media
- VR compatibility for immersive viewing
Hitechniques supplies Matterport cameras and provides in-person Matterport 3D Capture training courses in Ireland. Subscription plans are available for hosting, activating and archiving models, ensuring customers can manage their projects from capture to publication.
With our combined offering of hardware, software, support and training, we enable property professionals to adopt digital twin workflows end to end.
Key Benefits for Real Estate
Matterport technology offers tangible advantages to property marketers, developers, agents and buyers.
Immersive Engagement and Stronger Emotional Connection
Prospective buyers can virtually walk through a property, exploring rooms, corridors and spatial relationships at their own pace. The Dollhouse view offers a complete perspective of the layout, helping them understand the flow and proportions of the space. This immersive experience strengthens their emotional connection with the property.
Broader Reach and Buyer Convenience
- Remote or international buyers can inspect a property without travelling.
- Virtual tours are always available, day or night, on mobile or desktop.
- Properties can effectively remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Efficiency Gains for Agents and Sellers
- Buyers pre-screen properties virtually before requesting a visit.
- Agents save time by reducing unnecessary showings.
- Sellers experience fewer disruptions, as fewer physical viewings are required.
- Leads tend to be better qualified, resulting in higher conversion rates.
Quantitative Data and Measurements
Measurement Mode allows users to calculate distances and dimensions within the model, supporting:
- Furniture and layout planning
- Renovation and cost estimation
- Architectural or engineering integration
Marketing Differentiation and Visibility
- Listings that include digital twins tend to attract more engagement and longer viewing times.
- The interactive tour positions an agent or developer as transparent and technologically advanced.
- Enhanced viewer’s trust often leads to stronger brand perception.
Longevity and Documented Asset Value
The digital twin becomes a permanent record of the property’s condition and configuration. It supports future activities such as refurbishment planning, facilities management, insurance documentation and future marketing.
Use Cases and Local Examples
Matterport’s versatility extends across residential, commercial, educational and construction sectors.
Residential Sales and Rentals
Homes of all sizes benefit from digital twins. Buyers can explore spaces, understand dimensions and plan furnishing before visiting. Agents benefit from fewer wasted appointments and higher-quality leads.
Off-Plan and New Developments
Developers showcase model homes or conceptual spaces before completion. Digital staging enables prospects to imagine different layouts, finishes or furniture arrangements.
Commercial Real Estate
Offices, retail units and industrial spaces can be captured to support leasing and investment decisions. Virtual inspections allow clients to assess layout, ceiling heights and access without travelling, leading to faster leasing cycles.
Educational and Public Buildings
Institutions use virtual tours for open days, accessibility audits and heritage documentation. Examples from Ireland include schools and colleges captured through Hitechniques’ training programmes, where staff learn hands-on scanning techniques for live environments.
Construction, Architecture and Facilities Management
- Regular site captures enable progress monitoring.
- As-built documentation supports handover and compliance.
- Facility managers use twins for maintenance, planning and refurbishment.
Local Context
Hitechniques runs Matterport 3D Capture training courses in Rathcoole, Dublin, giving professionals direct experience with camera setup, scanning workflow and editing. By providing local supply, technical support and training, Hitechniques ensures that Irish professionals can access this technology without relying on international logistics.
Integration with the Wider PropTech Landscape
Matterport’s value increases when integrated into broader digital ecosystems.
BIM, CAD and Digital Twin Workflows
Digital twins can export schematic floor plans, E57 point clouds and BIM-compatible data. Architects and engineers can therefore import accurate as-built models directly into design software, reducing site visits and manual measurements.
AI and Property Intelligence
Matterport continues to evolve its Property Intelligence tools. Automated measurements, defurnishing options and smart tagging streamline data capture. These features reduce manual processing time and enhance analytical insight for estate agents and developers.
Integration with Marketing and CRM Platforms
Matterport tours can be embedded on agency websites, integrated with CRM systems or linked to property listings. Each model becomes a dynamic marketing asset that encourages lead engagement and follow-up.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Models are compatible with VR headsets, providing immersive walkthroughs for buyers. Emerging AR tools are beginning to overlay information and design elements, allowing real-time visualisation of future alterations.
Analytics and Behavioural Insight
Tracking user engagement within tours helps identify high-interest areas and refine marketing strategies. The digital twin therefore doubles as both a marketing tool and a feedback system for understanding buyer preferences.
Implications for Stakeholders
Real Estate Agents and Brokers
Adopting Matterport helps agents stand out. It enables:
- Enhanced listing presentations
- Better-qualified viewings
- Reduced travel time
- A stronger brand reputation built on transparency and innovation
Developers and Sellers
- Broader audience reach and higher visibility
- Faster sales cycles and fewer in-person viewings
- Long-term marketing material that remains relevant post-sale
Buyers and Tenants
- Greater transparency and confidence when shortlisting properties
- Ability to view and measure remotely
- Reduced surprises at physical visits
Architects, Contractors and Facility Managers
- Accurate as-built capture for collaboration and refurbishment
- Better documentation and coordination with stakeholders
- Simplified maintenance and planning
As the authorised distributor and training provider in Ireland, Hitechniques bridges the gap between technology and practical adoption. Through local supply, professional support and structured training, we make advanced digital capture accessible to every property professional ready to innovate.
What’s Next: Emerging Innovations and Future Trends
Several developments point to the next stage of spatial data in real estate:
- Real-time capture and streaming will enable near-instant model updates.
- Artificial intelligence will enhance automation, labelling and spatial analysis.
- Greater interactivity will allow visualisation of light, materials and design proposals.
- Lightweight LiDAR devices and mobile capture will broaden accessibility.
- Interoperability standards will simplify data sharing across platforms.
- Closer integration with property marketplaces following Matterport’s acquisition by CoStar will embed 3D models directly into search and transaction workflows.
These trends show that what is currently seen as advanced marketing will soon become standard practice. Early adopters gain both credibility and market advantage.
Conclusion: Matterport 3D property viewing
The future of property viewing is immersive, transparent and data-driven. Matterport digital twins bridge the gap between physical and virtual, providing a richer experience for buyers and efficiency for professionals.
For agents, developers, architects and facility managers in Ireland and the UK, adopting this technology means staying ahead of client expectations. Hitechniques provides the tools and expertise to make that possible. From camera supply and subscriptions to downloads, support and certified training, our end-to-end offering makes digital twin adoption straightforward and scalable.
We invite professionals to arrange a demonstration or enrol in a training course at our Rathcoole facility. Start with one pilot property and measure the difference in engagement and conversion. The digital twin is not a passing trend; it is the new foundation for modern real estate marketing.
Together, we can redefine how people experience property.
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