Kevin Tucker, founder of PriceCheck, notes that recent changes in the online real estate space, including the merger of two large incumbents, have made room for another player. "One which prioritises innovation and can digitally walk customers through their dream home," he says.

He adds, "We are in the final stages of developing 360 photography and walk-throughs for each property that gets listed on the platform. This is a value-added service to re-enforce our belief in full product/property/car discovery online and providing the consumer with a complete shopping experience."

"In today’s world, most people simply do not have the time to view all the available properties in their areas of interest. The logistics of organising and travelling for just one or two viewings is especially difficult for those looking to move to a new province or city. This platform takes the hassle out of the house hunting process," says Tucker.

While the portal is designed to simplify the property search for consumers, it also equips real estate agencies with an affordable and effective new medium to list their properties and drive leads.

"This talks to one of many factors contributing to the popularity of property portals internationally. Consumers are able to view numerous properties on one site rather than having to spend hours navigating the sites and search filters of every local estate agency. Now, being able to tour the properties virtually adds to this ease and convenience even further," he adds.

With a stance on protecting consumer’s private information, the portal only directs user’s queries to the real estate agent involved. This extended service offering follows the introduction of PriceCheck’s Motor Portal, launched in March, which lists thousands of cars from dealers around South Africa.

"Our Property Portal is the natural next step in setting PriceCheck apart as the leader in the South African e-commerce sector," Tucker concludes.

For more information, visit www.property.pricecheck.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.