If you’ve been house hunting recently, you’ve probably noticed that things have changed—a lot. The days of relying solely on open houses and real estate brochures are fading fast, replaced by a wave of digital tools that are reshaping the entire home-buying experience. Jamie Parrett, a real estate expert with years of experience in the field, has been at the forefront of this transformation, and she’s got some interesting thoughts on where it’s all headed.
Remember when finding a new home meant spending your weekends driving from one open house to another? That’s still an option, of course, but now there’s a whole new world at your fingertips. Thanks to 3D tours and drone videos, you can explore a property from your couch, in your pajamas, with a cup of coffee in hand. Parrett points out that these tools are not just about convenience—they’re about giving buyers a real sense of what a home is like before they even set foot inside.
3D tours, in particular, have been a game-changer. Unlike photos, which can be carefully staged to highlight only the pleasing angles of a property, 3D tours let you virtually walk through a home at your own pace. You can check out the layout, see how the rooms flow into one another, and even get a feel for the overall vibe of the place. Parrett says this technology helps buyers imagine living in a space more easily, which can make all the difference when it comes to making a decision.
Then, there’s the added benefit of drone videos. These aren’t just cool aerial shots; they provide a comprehensive view of the property and its surroundings. Want to know how close the neighbors are or get a better look at the backyard? A drone video can show you that in a way that no ground-level photo ever could. And for those who are moving from out of town, these tools make it possible to explore potential new neighborhoods without having to hop on a plane.
But what does all this mean for real estate agents? Are they being replaced by technology? Not at all, says Parrett. In fact, she believes that agents are more important than ever—they’re just playing a slightly different role. Instead of simply showing houses, they’re now leveraging these digital tools to provide even better service to their clients. Parrett explains that agents are using advanced software to manage their relationships with buyers, track what properties their clients are interested in, and offer personalized recommendations based on real-time data.
Of course, there’s still something to be said about seeing a house in person. Parrett acknowledges that no matter how advanced the technology gets, there are some things that you can’t experience through a screen. The feel of a space, the natural light, the noise level—these are all things that often need to be experienced firsthand. And do not forget the emotional connection that many buyers feel when they walk into a home and just know it’s “the one.”
That’s why Parrett sees the future of house hunting as a blend of both digital and traditional methods. She envisions a process where buyers start their search online, using tools like 3D tours and drone videos to narrow down their options, and then follow up with in-person visits to the properties that make the cut. This hybrid approach offers the best of both worlds: the efficiency and convenience of digital tools combined with the irreplaceable experience of actually stepping inside a potential new home.
Looking ahead, Parrett expects that as more buyers get used to these digital tools, they’ll start to expect even more from the home-buying process. They’ll want their agents to be tech-savvy, to provide them with data-driven insights, and to offer a seamless experience that integrates both online and offline elements. For agents, this means staying on top of the latest technology and continuously learning new ways to serve their clients better.
In the end, while the way people find their dream homes may be changing, the heart of the process remains the same. It’s still about finding a place where people feel comfortable, where they can see themselves building a life, and where they can imagine creating memories. And whether they’re using digital tools or visiting open houses, that’s something that will never go out of style.
Published By: Aize Perez
