The Realty of the Metaverse
Sumit Pathak
Investment Strategist | Growth Catalyst | Strategist | Transformation Specialist | Industry Thought Leader
We’ve been hearing the word #Metaverse being thrown around for over a year now. It’s taking every industry by storm and real estate is no different. And most of us, myself included, might wonder, how can something which is so physical in nature be transferred to a completely virtual world.
After some reading about the potential of real estate in the Metaverse, I’ve grasped a few things from the vast oasis of information on this new universe. Allow me to break it down for you.
Real estate in the #metaverse refers to land parcels in virtual worlds. In the most basic sense, they are pixels. They are, however, more than mere digital images. They are programmable areas on virtual reality platforms where individuals may mingle, play games, sell NFTs, attend meetings, attend virtual concerts, and engage in a variety of other virtual activities. Each piece of land's worth is determined by the experience it gives, as well as other considerations such as collectability, platform popularity, and market sentiment. The #metaverse creators can monetize their property's content by charging for access or trading their NFTs. This gives brands an opportunity to leverage their virtual assets to promote services, introduce virtual products, and deliver unforgettable consumer experiences.
The #metaverse real estate could take many forms. Some virtual properties might be purely decorative, while others might have a functional value. For example, a virtual storefront can be used to sell virtual goods, while a virtual home can be used as a place to socialize with friends. The value of virtual real estate would likely be determined by its popularity and functionality, as well as its location within the metaverse.
In some ways, the virtual real estate market has the potential to mirror the physical real estate market. Just as location is a crucial factor in determining the value of physical real estate, the location in the #metaverse could be important in the virtual world as well. Virtual properties located in high-traffic areas of the #metaverse could be more valuable than those in less popular areas. Additionally, the quality of the virtual property is also likely to affect its value. Just as a well-maintained physical property is more valuable than a run-down one, a well-designed virtual property can be more valuable than a poorly-designed one.
These digital pieces of land present a profitable opportunity for real estate investors as it is potentially disruptive business prospects. #Metaverse properties, like real-world assets, can be developed, flipped, or leased. Indeed, there are several applications for #metaverse real estate. This field is the same as crypto. At present, it is not governed by any regulatory authority. However, there is a caveat: you should be prepared for regulatory authorities to be set up to regulate this market soon. The #metaverse is still in its early stages. Investing in it comes with significant risks. To some, with such a great possibility for significant rewards, the risks may well be worth it. Like with any other investment or company activity, you must conduct thorough research before opting to accept risks.
Companies have been significantly investing in virtual land holdings due to the favorable forecast of #metaverse growth. If you intend to invest in #metaverse real estate, search for places with development potential. Places, where people may assemble, will be more valued than those in unremarkable places. Consider land sites adjacent but not within developed areas. You may buy these properties at a modest price, develop on them, and then wait for values to rise.
Although the #metaverse is likely to develop rapidly in the next few years, it is still a young ecosystem that is far from solid. If a #metaverse platform goes offline permanently, all your land and assets on that platform might be rendered ineffective.
Land in the #metaverse is now accessible and free for development and purchase. However, there are no limits and no real recognized concerns. With such freedom comes unchecked maliciousness which we cannot fully understand or imagine at the moment. This is a perfect example of a high-risk, high-reward circumstance.
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In the virtual world, designers can create and test new designs quickly and inexpensively. This can allow real estate developers to experiment with new designs and technologies before implementing them in the physical world. Especially in Dubai, there are many real estate experts who are looking to branch out and enter the world of Metaverse.
The #KhaleejTimes recently posted an article about the Dubai #Metaverse Assembly where leading experts in the virtual and brick-and-mortar real estate space called the #metaverse a 'fantastic opportunity”. It was estimated by Ziad El Chaar, Chief Executive Officer of Dar Global, that the sector is likely to contribute $4 billion to Dubai’s economy alone by 2030 (full article: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/real-estate-in-dubais-metaverse-is-it-a-worthwhile-investment-or-is-it-just-hype).
As positive as this sounds, there are caveats. Firstly, there will be no remedy if you invest in the incorrect #metaverse or virtual real estate. Then there's the matter of value. The challenge of how to allocate value to a territory whose scarcity is artificial and whose future worth cannot be determined is constantly present. #Metaverse land is vulnerable to fluctuating situations since its value is based on extremely volatile cryptocurrency. Investing in #metaverse assets is extremely speculative rather than prospective, and is fraught with risks. To suggest the hazards are significant is an understatement. You may lose all of your investments in the virtual world in the blink of an eye.
However, the rapid transition to full digitization in nearly all industries has the potential to yield significant profits on #metaverse real estate investments. Ownership of virtual real estate could still be a point of contention. In the physical world, property rights are generally well-established, but in the virtual world, the issue of ownership is more complex. Virtual properties are often owned by the companies that create the metaverse, and there are questions about whether users should have the right to own virtual properties within these worlds.
An article in Al Arabiya further talks about tokenization to address the concerns regarding ownership of property in the #Metaverse (full article: https://english.alarabiya.net/business/economy/2023/02/08/Metaverse-tokenization-to-reshape-real-estate-sector-Dar-Global-CEO). Tokenizing an asset is essentially dividing it into shares, or tokens, which represent a clearly defined share of the asset in consideration. It’s also what’s called a security token.
As alluring as this new sector sounds, learn everything you can about the #metaverse before making any investing decisions. Understand the risks and obstacles against the potential advantages. Make your selection only after properly researching the merits and demerits as they stand today.
The #metaverse has the potential to revolutionize the real estate industry. It could provide a new market for developers and investors, as well as new opportunities for customization and experimentation. As the technology behind the #metaverse continues to evolve. I am excited to see how the virtual real estate market develops and how it ultimately interacts with the physical real estate market.