Sotheby’s International Realty Global Website Integrates New Technologies

Announced that its global website, sothebysrealty.com, now supports 3D Tours on its property detail pages allowing real estate consumers the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in homes listed by the Sotheby’s International Realty^® brand. The 3D Tours will also feature a Virtual Reality Tour (VR) experience that can be viewed through a compatible device such as an Android phone or VR headset.The 3D and VR Tours are produced by strategically placing specialized cameras throughout a home to create a result that transforms the traditional way people view homes online. The 3D and VR Tours add an additional layer of content to the existing property detail pages on sothebysrealty.com which also provide a written description, high-resolution photographs and high-definition videos.  At launch, the Sotheby’s International Realty brand will have 3D Tours available on over 1,000 properties that are viewable on desktop, tablet or smartphone.

“Introducing 3D and VR Tours on sothebysrealty.com is just another example of how we are keeping the Sotheby’s International Realty brand on the cutting edge while creating an immersive experience for consumers,” said John Passerini, global vice president, interactive marketing at Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC.  “Distance can present a challenge when looking to buy a home and virtual reality has provided a provocative solution. This technology is allowing buyers to purchase homes without having to physically travel to view them, which is especially relevant to the global clientele we serve.”

The sothebysrealty.com site experienced 16 million user sessions in Q1-Q3 of 2016, a 60% increase year-over-year. Property detail pages on the brand site support Matterport, a past winner of the 2014 Realogy FWD innovation summit, and additional compatible 3D Tours.

In coordination with this announcement, Sotheby’s International Realty is also a real estate launch partner for Matterport’s CoreVR release— the largest collection of virtual reality content across multiple disciplines.  With the adoption of CoreVR, Sotheby’s International Realty will be able to offer both a 3D and VR experience.  Additionally, Sotheby’s International Realty property listings on Mansion Global, the digital luxury real estate destination from Dow Jones, will also be equipped with the 3D Tour feature.

Click here for an example of a 3D Tour as shown on a current luxury property listing on the Sotheby’s International Realty website.

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has more than 19,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in approximately 850 offices in 65 countries and territories worldwide.  In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firm’s brokers and clients will benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house and worldwide Sotheby’s International Realty marketing programs.  Each office is independently owned and operated.

About Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC
Founded in 1976 to provide independent brokerages with a powerful marketing and referral program for luxury listings, the Sotheby’s International Realty network was designed to connect the finest independent real estate companies to the most prestigious clientele in the world. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services.  In February 2004, Realogy entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby’s, the operator of the auction house.  The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby’s International Realty name and the development of a full franchise system. Affiliations in the system are granted only to brokerages and individuals meeting strict qualifications. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC supports its affiliates with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Franchise affiliates also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby’s auction house, established in 1744.