By: PR Team, Cloud Realty
The real estate market is embracing a technological revolution, and Matthew Ullrich is at the forefront of this change. With the rise of digital tools like 3D tours and drone videos, buying a home is no longer the same process it was just a decade ago. But while these innovations are reshaping the industry, Ullrich argues that they aren’t replacing the importance of physically stepping inside a home.
Ullrich, a Realtor Ⓡ who has seen the market evolve over the years, is quick to recognize the power of these new tools. “I had a client who couldn’t quite visualize the layout of a home just from photos,” he recalls. “But once they took a 3D tour, it all made sense. They didn’t need multiple in-person visits to figure out if the home was a good fit.” In today’s fast-paced market, that kind of clarity is invaluable.
The rise of 3D tours and drone videos isn’t just about convenience, though it certainly offers that. These tools provide potential buyers with a more accurate and immersive look at a property, allowing them to explore at their own pace from anywhere. Drone videos, in particular, offer a bird’s-eye view of the property and surrounding area, giving buyers a sense of the neighborhood, nearby parks, and even how the home sits on its lot. This level of transparency sets clearer expectations and helps cut down on the kind of surprises that often surface during in-person visits.
But despite these benefits, Ullrich is quick to acknowledge that digital tools can’t replicate the experience of actually walking through a home. “There’s something about physically being in a space—the way it feels, the light, the air—that you just can’t get from a screen,” he says. And he’s right. The tactile experience of stepping into a home, hearing the creaks of the floorboards, and feeling the warmth of the sunlight is something digital tours simply can’t reproduce.
Ullrich believes that while digital house hunting is here to stay, it will complement traditional methods rather than replace them. Potential buyers can start their search online, taking virtual tours and browsing drone videos, but the final decision will almost always require seeing the home in person. “This is the largest financial decision most people will ever make,” Ullrich notes. “There’s no substitute for actually being in space before committing.”
The digital shift has also changed buyer behavior. With more information readily available online, buyers now expect a higher level of detail in listings. They want to see every angle, every room, and the surrounding area before deciding whether to visit the property in person. This transparency helps streamline the buying process, allowing buyers to make informed decisions faster. But even as online transactions become more common, Ullrich sees a limit to how much of the process will remain digital.
“Digital tools can only take you so far,” he says. “At some point, people still want to walk through the home, feel it, and imagine themselves living there.”
Interestingly, not all Realtors Ⓡ have embraced this digital revolution. Ullrich notes that some agents are slower to adopt these tools, preferring to stick to traditional methods. But the divide between tech-savvy agents and those resistant to change is growing more apparent. Buyers, particularly younger ones, are increasingly drawn to Realtors Ⓡ who offer these modern tools as part of their services. “Clients are looking for agents who can provide that digital experience while still guiding them through the complexities of buying a home,” Ullrich explains.
What’s notable about Ullrich’s approach is his focus on inclusivity. He works to ensure that all of his clients, regardless of their familiarity with technology, can effectively use the tools available to them. “My goal is to make sure everyone can explore a property, whether they’re tech-savvy or not,” he says. To that end, Ullrich provides step-by-step guides and one-on-one assistance, ensuring that no one is left behind as the market embraces digital tools.
The key to navigating this shift, Ullrich argues, is balance. Yes, digital tools are making the real estate process more efficient and accessible, but they don’t negate the need for in-person experiences. “There’s still something irreplaceable about walking through a home,” he says. “These tools help get people to the point where they’re ready to visit, but once they’re there, it’s up to the home to win them over.”
In a world where speed and convenience often take precedence, Ullrich’s approach stands out. He’s not just adopting new tools for the sake of innovation—he’s using them to enhance the buyer’s experience, all while maintaining the human touch that has always been central to real estate. For Ullrich, the future of house hunting is a blend of the finest of both worlds: the efficiency of digital innovation and the irreplaceable value of a personal visit.
As the real estate industry continues to evolve, Realtors Ⓡ like Matthew Ullrich are helping to lead the way, ensuring that while the market may be embracing the future, it’s not forgetting its roots.
Published by: Khy Talara
