Join Us on a Virtual Walk-Through of 2016’s Top 3-D Home Tours

matterport.com

We’re all pressed for time, especially home buyers with dozens of prospects to sift through. But if buyers don’t have the time to visit a house in person, 3-D virtual tours are a godsend. The interactive experience offers a feeling of being in the house from every angle, and it’s become a go-to tool in a savvy agent’s playbook. And since they often feature luxury properties, these tours take window shopping for homes to a new level.

Intrigued by the future of home tours, we checked in with Matterport to learn about the coolest 3-D home tours it had seen in 2016. Matterport’s technology showcases unique homes in an immersive way and does total justice to spaces where photos alone wouldn’t suffice. The company has the largest library of virtual reality spaces of real-world places—over 250,000 places can be experienced in VR, according to the company.

If you have a Google Cardboard or Samsung Gear VR viewer, you can amp up your experience with a VR view as well. All of their virtual tours are automatically VR-enabled.

So strap yourself in, and check out the top 3-D tours from Matterport in 2016.

Limestone rock house

Lamy, NM

Virtual viewpoint: This landmark is known to locals as the “Flintstone House,” which is not to be confused with the other iconic Flintstone House in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This rocky dwelling showcases dramatic design built right into limestone rock.

“Still photography alone cannot truly give the sense of airiness and space this home possesses,” says photographer Lisa Hinson. “All property is best represented when prospective buyers have the opportunity to walk through the home at their leisure, but this particular home is so unique. You have to go inside and walk around to experience it fully.”

Barring a trip to Santa Fe County, this 3-D tour does the trick.

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Scorpion house

Scottsdale, AZ

Virtual viewpoint: A modern stunner blending seamlessly into its desert surroundings, the scorpion-shaped floor plan designed by architect Eddie Jones features floor-to-ceiling glass, concrete walls, and sleek lines. We covered the desert delight when it hit the market for $5.5 million in September 2015.

“This home has amazing views on all sides, and I think this virtual tour captures the exterior as well as it does the interior of the home,” says photographer Stuart Platt. Take a look, and don’t get stung!

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Whale house

Santa Barbara, CA

Virtual viewpoint: Located in one of the country’s most expensive markets, this home makes for a whale of a tale. The vacation retreat built of undulating wood shingles resembles an actual whale from the outside. Designed by architect Michael Carmichael and captured by photographer Ron Stevens, the four-level home features river rock, Venetian plaster, wood columns, and 270 (!) Belgian leaded- and stained-glass windows. There’s also a 75-foot lap pool that disappears into the whale’s tail.

“Every room in the home has curved walls, unique designs, and special features,” Stevens says. “To truly understand the architect’s vision, you need to visually fly around and walk through the home. We were able to capture every room, the exterior staircase, and the large courtyard.”

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New American show home

Henderson, NV

Virtual viewpoint: We want to go here! It’s the 2016 edition of the New American Home from the National Association of Home Builders.

Because it’s a model, you’ll see the latest and greatest trends, including sliding glass walls that open to a Zen oasis of landscaped courtyards and a pool. Inside, the open and spacious layout features chunky stone walls, polished marble countertops, and sleek hardwood floors.

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Barn home

Lake Nockamixon, PA

Virtual viewpoint: We especially love this 3-D tour because it so perfectly shows off the open space of the modern yet rustic barn home. This historic structure was transformed from basic to beautiful and luxurious farmhouse. The spectacular space features floor-to-ceiling French windows, exposed timber beams, custom cabinetry, limestone flooring, and top-of-the-line finishes.

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