As South African buyers increasingly look for ways to personalise properties before viewing them, demand is growing for tools that go beyond static listings. Internationally, interactive visualisation features are already driving higher engagement and longer time spent on listings, as buyers move from passive browsing to active exploration.
Meridian Realty is responding to this shift with the launch of Reimagine, a new feature on its website that allows prospective buyers to instantly restyle property images and explore different design possibilities before visiting the home.
According to Antonie Goosen, Principal and Founder of Meridian Realty, the technology reflects a broader evolution in how buyers engage with property.
“Buying a home is as much an emotional decision as it is a financial one,” said Goosen. “This technology allows buyers to move beyond what they see today and explore what a property could become for them. It makes the experience far more personal and far more engaging.”
The Reimagine feature is powered by Roomvo, an AI-powered room visualisation tool that allows buyers to reimagine flooring, wall colours and finishes directly within a listing photo, without leaving the Meridian Realty website. Listings using Roomvo’s technology see up to 2x more time-on-page and up to 170% higher conversion from online interest to in-person showings.
“Meridian Realty understood something that most agencies are still figuring out – buyers don’t just want to see a home; they want to picture themselves in it. That’s exactly what Roomvo makes possible and we’re glad to be part of how Meridian is bringing that experience to South African buyers,” said Pawel Rajszel, CEO of Roomvo.
Instead of relying purely on imagination, buyers can now interact with a property in real time, experimenting with different styles that reflect their own preferences.
The introduction of this technology comes as more agencies begin adopting advanced digital tools to enhance the online property journey, with Meridian Realty positioning itself among the early adopters locally.
The benefits extend beyond buyers. Listings that offer interactive elements tend to generate higher levels of interest, with users spending more time exploring properties and developing a stronger connection to the home. “When someone can picture themselves living in a space, styled to their own taste, it changes the way they engage with that property,” said Goosen. “It moves them from passive browsing to active consideration.”
The feature also aligns with a growing trend where buyers are already experimenting with AI tools to visualise changes, often outside of the property platform itself.
As the South African property market continues to evolve, innovations like Reimagine are expected to play an increasingly important role in how homes are marketed and sold.
“For us, it is about helping clients see possibility,” said Goosen. “Property is not just about what exists today, but about what it can become. If we can help unlock that vision earlier in the journey, we are adding real value.
