There’s a new technology on the horizon that will forever change the way consumers shop for homes — and as marketers we all better understand and prepare for it. It’s called Augmented Reality, and they are already testing it in Europe so it’s just a matter of time before it hits a smartphone near you.
Taking mobile advertising to a whole new level, Augmented Reality is when the real world is overlaid with virtual information, and the example using Layar is pretty darn cool. Utilizing their tech, it is possible for you to hold your phone up and view through the screen the streetscape in front of you — except that Layar lays on top of your real-time view all sorts of information pertinent to the real estate community.
As you scan your phone across from right to left, the view of the street you see through your phone can be overlaid with data pinpointing every house for sale on that street, it’s size, number of bedrooms and price. Want more information? Just tap that point on your screen and the listing information pops up directly onto your phone. Want to tour it? Tap the listing agent’s phone number and they are automatically called for an appointment.
THIS IS MIND BLOWING – check it out:
How will this affect new home sales? Well, I can see a decreased need for directional signage along roads leading to your new home development. I also predict the extinction of those ridiculous “human directionals” or “sign-spinners” that have proliferated on street corners the last several years. And what about realtors? Will consumers feel they no longer need an agent to tour them through their desired neighborhoods, and simply rely on new home sales professionals and/or listing agents? Time will tell.
For homebuilders, the ramifications for advertising are staggering. Imagine being first to the punch, and buying exclusive rights to advertise your homes in a certain community through this medium – while your competition is completely left off the map (literally). You could even offer special pricing incentives to consumers who have found you through this new medium, sending them a special code to their phone they can show at the sales office.
It may seem a little Big Brother, but mobile marketing is changing our lives forever — and it’s pretty darn cool, in a sci-fi kind of way. Are you ready for the onslaught?
