Microsoft HomeAdvisor just became
the first Internet site to offer virtual tours from both leading providers, Jutvision and IPIX to its Realtor network. The announcement offers competition at its best but raises the question - will there be a price war?
Jutvision offers a turn-key service which includes virtual tours for $99 per four-image tour, and charges $20 for each additional site on which the tour will be distributed after the agent's home page. IPIX does not charge for additional postings on other sites, and it offers a four-room $49 product for brokers who purchase a digital camera such as the Kodak DC200 for about $895 which comes equipped with the IPIX Wizard software. The fish-eye technology that enables 360 degree photography and enough "keys" to do four-room tours in nine houses. After that, the agents can dial into the Internet for additional keys at $49.95 per home. The keys enable the agents to post the home tours through IPC to as many sites as the agent wishes. For some agents, the choice may be a no-brainer, except for one caveat. The main advantage that Jutvision offers is its exclusive agreement with Realtor.com, where it has a captive market.
Like a similar plan offered by Jutvision, IPIX offers a Virtual Tour Network of professional real estate photographers. This on-call service was recently designed for agents and brokers wishing to shoot properties using IPIX images, but those without the desire to purchase a digital camera or hire a photographer. Additionally, IPIX virtual tours can be distributed both via e-mail and on floppy disk.
"We realize our thousands of partners have invested a lot of money in both
of these great companies," says Ian Morris, product manager for HomeAdvisor.
"We're leaving that choice up to our partners, rather than making that choice
for them. By providing images from both IPIX and Jutvision on HomeAdvisor,
we're ensuring that our visitors are getting the most information possible
about potential homes for sale."
Virtual tours are touted as one of the most important advantages an agent
can have on then Internet, by industry experts, because they allow renters and
buyers to see a property the same way they would if they were actually standing
inside the home.
IPIX virtual tours provide a complete 360-degree by 360-degree field of
view, from the skylight above to the beautiful hardwood floors below, and
around all four walls, making them a unique listing tool. IPIX images capture
the ambiance of a room including ceiling angles, the texture of the walls and
available lighting from windows. Initial postings of IPIX virtual home tours
will appear on the HomeAdvisor site in the Summer of 1999.
"Our mission is to ensure that every listing on HomeAdvisor delivers the
most value for home buyers and Realtors," says Morris.
Published: April 7, 1999
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