The property industry has been evolving and changing with the advancement of technology and the challenges of Covid-19. With the effects and restrictions of the pandemic, the property industry must learn to adapt and overcome the many obstacles in order to survive. A game-changer that has been transforming the way we buy and sell homes in Malaysia is virtual reality (VR).

Typically, homebuyers visit multiple properties before deciding on the one they want to buy. This can be very time-consuming and also expensive if the properties are far from where the buyer lives. VR helps solve this by allowing people to virtually visit and experience properties without leaving the comfort of their homes. One can put on a VR headset or simply view from one’s mobile device and view the property.

LBS Bina Group is one of the property developers which has adopted VR with the use of Matterport. By capturing many pictures, the program combines the pictures and creates a 3D replica of the unit. People can now enjoy virtual tours which allow users to view and move within a property unit with just a click of a button.

Part of the VR advancement that has changed how we design and present property to clients includes virtual home staging and architectural visualisation. Virtual home staging helps to virtually fill up an empty unit with furniture and interior design, enabling homebuyers to view fully furnished units. This can save the cost of actually sourcing and buying suitable furniture to furnish a unit. Architectural visualisation creates 3D models that help potential buyers visualise and imagine the architecture of an upcoming property that has yet to be built. These advancements help to create greater emotional connections when comparing the experience of 3D virtual tours and viewing 2D pictures.

VR allows anyone to view the property over long distances through the use of the internet. Clients are able to virtually visit the properties as and when they want, with no time limit to how long spent viewing the property. The customer experience can be further enhanced with add-ons like mortgage calculators and additional information on the property and neighbourhood. This will help clients get all the necessary information about the property before contacting a real estate agent and arranging a physical visit to the house they are interested in.

In conclusion, VR technology has already been transforming the property industry here in Malaysia. Realising the benefits and uses of VR, an increasing number of property developers, real estate property online portals, and others are adopting VR into their business models.

These values translate into making big changes in the Year of the Tiger. As we march into the new year with the pandemic still strapped to our back, the Yang energy associated with the Tiger will renew everyone’s spirit and everyone will be fired up once again. Generosity is at an all-time high and it will be a year of risk-taking and adventure. LBS is cautiously optimistic that this will set new benchmarks and we will offer an even wider range of products and services to the market, as according to Tan Sri Lim Hock San, the Executive Chairman of LBS.

2022 will be the year where LBS adapts digitalisation in our operation, while continuing our aim to provide affordable homes for all Malaysians. This cannot possibly be done without the joint effort of everyone from all departments, and for that, we are eternally grateful and humbled by everyone’s continuous support. This year, we hope to emulate the strength and ferocity of the Tiger, living life well and to the fullest while we continue fighting against COVID-19.

Despite the challenges we faced, we have managed to weather through 2021 with resilience and perseverance as a unit. We projected RM1.2 billion sales target but achieved miles ahead instead, at an astonishing amount of RM1.58 billion. Be rest assured that we are not resting on our achievements as there will be 14 new launches planned for 2022 across Klang Valley, Johor, Pahang, and Perak.

As a way to show our appreciation to our home-buyers, LBS has launched a Chinese New Year campaign called “Bring Happiness Home” where we will be offering Ang-Pows for our home-buyers. This is the ideal moment to secure your forever home and make this new year an auspicious one with LBS; the campaign will last till the end of February 2022.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone Happy Chinese New Year. As we prepare to celebrate the Chinese New Year festivities, remember to remain vigilant and practice COVID-19 SOPs to safeguard our family and loved ones. May this new year bring us good health and good fortune. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year, may it be a year that outshines the rest! Stay safe and may we all be in high gear in the year of the Tiger!