Zoopla is set to launch what it claims to be the world’s first remote-viewing platform called Smart Viewing, enabling house hunters to view property remotely from their homes. 

Instead of having to get the vendor, landlord, agent, and prospective buyer or tenant each to attend the property at the same time, smart viewing allows all interested parties to take part in an interactive viewing event via Zoopla, from anywhere in the world.

The viewings are carried out in real time, using live audio and 360-degree panoramic images, with the agent effectively hosting and controlling the viewing and responding to questions via live messaging and acting as the online guide. 

The agent hosting the smart viewing can have multiple renters or buyers online at any one stage enabling them to increase their pool of possible offers with consumers booking slots directly with the agent via Zoopla.

ZPG and technology firm Vieweet have been piloting the initiative for the past six weeks with a number of agents including Anderson Rose, Ludlow Thompson and Thomas Morris and expect to make the offering available to all its member agents in the coming weeks as part of their existing ZPG subscription.

Zoopla describes the initiative as “a world first” while Vieweet calls it “the dawn of a new era.”