Although I haven't been keeping up with new stuff in photography for last the couple of weeks(?!) - the last lookaround I did was when I started assembling the Future of Photogrpahy video compilation - it struck me that there was a whole raft of tools out there that I could see estate agents (realtors?) making use of in the coming years...
So here's a quick roundup...
3D animated room tours from 3DPlanView.
For viewing the outside the property in 3d, all you need is a photo - Fotowoosh version Alpha from fotowoosh
Another 2D to 3D mapping comes from Metropix, which allows you to create 3D walkthroughs from 2D floor plans. I couldn't find an embeddable video demo, so you'll have to try here.
Getting measurements is always likely to be problematic - so how about using a photo to get your measurements: iphotomeasure tutorial from iphotomeasure
Decorating the room can be done with somethign like the Design My Room room decorating tool
On a similiar theme is Scenecaster, which allows you to reuse models form the Google Sketchup 3D model warehouseas this movie shows.
You'll need to check local information about a property of course - UpMyStreet is a good place to satrt, as are Google mapplets - check out the Nestoria mapplet to get a feel for what's possible.
You'll probably also want to keep an eye out for planning notices, and then maybe consider online conveyancing, e.g. using things like Land Registry online.
Tags: estateagents, futures
Posted by ajh59 at October 15, 2007 07:03 PMEstate Agents are one of those professions that I think should/will be disintermediated soon. The incumbents have done well with things like RightMove (pooling effort to create a network effect before any non-agent site could get big enough to become the go-to location). But that's a stopgap and sooner or later the dam will burst. They're doomed in current form. At least I hope they are.
Posted by: Doug Clow at October 16, 2007 09:45 AM