Enhancing Real Estate Transactions through the Metaverse: Focus on Property Tours and Design Visualization

Property inspection and visualization is an important aspect of ensuring effective and efficient real estate transactions. Traditionally property is inspected online over numerous listing sites which as failed to provide accurate and complete information about the property. This in return leads to the need to organize physical inspections which are not cost and time efficient. The intended PhD student would develop a platform that supports the virtual visualization of property while leveraging the technologies driven by the metaverse. This is possible owing to the transformation in the real estate sector as digital technologies and virtual environments gain prominence. In this context, the concept of the Metaverse has emerged as a potential game-changer. The Metaverse is a virtual collective space that encompasses augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and other immersive technologies, offering novel ways to interact with digital assets and environments. This PhD project proposal seeks to explore the application of Metaverse technologies in the real estate sector, with a specific focus on property tours and design visualization.

This PhD project is expected to contribute to several key areas:

Advancements in Real Estate Marketing: The research will advance the understanding of how Metaverse-based property tours can enhance marketing strategies, engagement, and decision-making in real estate.

Innovative Design Visualization: The project will provide insights into the application of the Metaverse for design visualization, potentially revolutionizing architectural planning and interior design in the real estate industry.

Practical Frameworks: By developing accessible and scalable frameworks, this research will enable the integration of Metaverse technologies into real estate transactions, fostering innovation in the sector.

Metaverse Adoption: The findings of this project have the potential to promote the adoption of Metaverse technologies in real estate, ensuring its readiness for future challenges and opportunities.

Environmental Sustainability: The project is committed to environmental sustainability through the reduced need for physical travel, leading to a decrease in carbon emissions. Additionally, exploring sustainable architectural design through Metaverse technologies aligns with eco-conscious real estate practices.

Conclusion This PhD project aims to explore the innovative use of the Metaverse, including AR and VR technologies, in the real estate sector. By focusing on property tours and design visualization, the research is poised to redefine real estate marketing and design practices, ensuring readiness for the digital future. It offers significant potential to transform real estate transactions and align the industry with emerging technologies and changing consumer preferences.

Academic qualifications

A first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements in Real Estate, Estate management, Estate Surveying, Property management and/or Computer science.

English language requirement

If your first language is not English, comply with the University requirements for research degree programmes in terms of English language.

Application process

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor, Dr. Temidayo Osunsanmi (T.Osunsanmi@napier.ac.uk) to discuss the content of the project and the fit with their qualifications and skills before preparing an application. 

Contact details

Should you need more information, please email SCEBERDL@napier.ac.uk.

The application must include: 

Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about

• Background and motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
• Research questions or
• Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
• List of references

The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.

• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Recent and complete curriculum vitae. The curriculum must include a declaration regarding the English language qualifications of the candidate.
• Supporting documents will have to be submitted by successful candidates.
• Two academic references (but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference), on the form can be downloaded here.

Applications can be submitted here.

Download a copy of the project details here.