Imagine placing your living room furniture into a house you’re thinking of buying, to gauge its look and fit. Now picture performing this task on a computer or smartphone thousands of kilometres away.
Red Deer resident Jesse Tutt is using high-tech hardware and software to make such remote rearranging possible. The founder of 3D Scan Experts Ltd. utilizes a system that allows prospective home buyers to view and even move through the 3D images of a building.
“You can actually walk through the house and see everything,” said Wes Giesbrecht, a Realtor with Realty in Red Deer and a longtime friend of Tutt’s. “You can take measurements from the screen shot. It’s incredible.”
Tutt unveiled the system this week, and is already being asked to scan homes for Realtors.
“I’ve already got customers lined up in Edmonton and Canmore, so those will be the next two areas that we move into.”
Giesbrecht’s firm, which is an affiliate of Century 21 Advantage, has jumped on board in Red Deer.
“We do professional photography already. This is just taking it a step further.
“This sells houses — there’s no question.”
Tutt sees a couple advantages of 3D imaging over the traditional two-dimensional photos that appear with house listings. The detailed pictures will provide a more accurate rendering and help ensure those who express an interest in the property are good prospects.
Also, the number of showings for people who aren’t interested in the house but weren’t able to make that determination from 2D pictures should be reduced.
Buyers might even be able make an informed decision without setting foot in the house, he added.
“I’ve actually had a couple calls about doing this in Fort McMurray specifically, because people are moving there from out of country or from out of province and they don’t have the ability to actually see the home.”
A former Red Deer College student, Tutt has done software development and server consulting, much through a predecessor business to 3D Scan Experts called Technology Innovation.
“I’ve done pretty much the full gamut of IT.”
He turned his attention to 3D imaging after recognizing its potential in the real estate industry. After acquiring the necessary equipment — a device with 3 infrared projectors, 3 infrared sensors, and 3 traditional RGB 2D sensors — he set to work.
Tutt said there’s nothing like it in Alberta, and he’s not aware of a similar system in Canada.
“As far as I know, no one’s doing it.”
He and Giesbrecht are enthused about the potential of the technology.
“It’s a totally different way of showcasing real estate,” said Tutt. “It’s great for giving people perspective and allowing them to see every angle and all of the merits that a building provides.”
Giesbrecht is arranging for 3D imaging for some of his listings. These will be accessible via links from the Multiple Listing Service site.
Tutt is already looking ahead to further innovations, including virtual realty goggles that would allow potential buyers to walk through a 3D rendering of a house.
“The technology is coming.”
A sample of 3D imaging can be viewed on 3D Scan Experts’ website at 3dscanexperts.com.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com