• by Chuck Martin , November 14, 2018

Virtual reality is being added to searches for vacation homes.

Texas-based HomeAway, an online marketplace in the rental property industry, introduced the VR product that displays virtual tours for homeowners and property managers to share 360-degree walk-throughs of their properties with travelers.

The HomeAway virtual tours are compatible with different types of virtual tours, including DIY tours filmed on smartphones and cameras and professional footage from VR tour companies like InsideMaps and TruPlace.

“Virtual reality has transformed the way people shop for everything from furniture to fashion,” stated Tina Weyand, chief product officer for HomeAway, which is part of the Expedia Group.  “HomeAway is harnessing virtual technology for vacation rentals in a way that has never been done before: not at this level of simplicity, and not at this scale.”

The VR pilot is being tested by owners and property managers in several destinations.