Looking for a home? Why not go on a live online 3D guided tour?

It was business as usual, or almost, for Ballyclare property firm Hagan Homes as it launched the first ever virtual viewings here last week.

The company is now offering prospective buyers the opportunity to explore its live sites with a sales agent who will provide a live guided online 3D tour of properties and engage in a live chat through the Zoom platform.

The new service, which is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, is currently available for three of Hagan Homes’ six active developments.

Estate agent Sandra Finney of Rodgers & Finney will host the new live sessions which are available for Hagan Homes’ Belfast-based Thirty Three South, Seventy Six South and Thirty Eight North sites.

The new viewing setup will allow homebuyers to interact with the agent and ask questions about everything from fixtures and fittings to room sizes, driveway space and gardens at the latter developments which include everything from one and two bed apartments at Thirty Three South to three bed semi and detached properties in Seventy Six South and Thirty Eight North.

Properties range from £131,950 to £190,000 in price.

The new Live Showhome Viewings will complement Hagan Homes’ existing online services which include video viewings and a self-guided interactive 3D tour.

Jim Burke, Director of Sales & Acquisitions, Hagan Homes said: “We are aware that many people were in the midst of looking for a new home before Covid-19 social distancing strategies were put in place and we want to assure potential buyers that we will continue to help them on their journey all from the comfort and safety of their current property when they’re ready.

“Our existing sites are all available on our website through unique and interactive methods including a 3D tour but our Live Showhome Viewings mimic the viewing experience as best we can in the current circumstances.

“It will also allow potential homebuyers to interact with our sales agent and ask any questions they would normally have at a real-life viewing.”

Speaking about the company’s first ever Live Showhome Viewing, which took place for Thirty Three South and Seventy Six South developments, Sandra Finney from Rodgers and Finney said: “We had a very good response to this very new way of viewing show homes. Both locations attracted over 20 potential homebuyers who engaged in over an hour’s worth of question time spread across both sites.

“As people are currently finding new ways of interacting for work and social purposes, we are finding many homebuyers are transitioning to our new viewing process very easily.

“It means that we can help those who were on the path to buying a new home to continue their process in the safety of their home all while still receiving that personal service.

“We anticipate that in the coming weeks we will secure more appointments from those who are interested in viewing what’s on the market.”

Hagan Homes anticipates additional Live Showhome Viewings in the coming weeks for two further developments - Ballyveigh in Antrim and Thaxton Village in Lisburn.

Both sites currently offer a self-guided virtual tour at present on the Hagan Homes website.

For further information check out www.haganhomes.co.uk

* Hagan Homes has also pledged £75,000 to bring country singer Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library scheme to 1,000 children in partnership with Sure Start centres in Belfast. The children receive a free book in the post every month to support the development of early language and literacy skills and inspire a lifelong love of reading.

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