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The roof that protects a home is one of the most expensive house systems. Customer avatars can safely learn how the inspector looks for potential issues.

The thorough home inspector is aware that the crawl space under the porch or house may have clues to the home’s condition. Customers can join him in this tight space.

It’s important that an inspector not harm the seller’s home in any way, so a careful inspector comes prepared with coveralls and shoe protection, and parks offsite.

The home inspector looks at the entire site as a system. Water is the biggest enemy to a home and a good inspector starts by assessing all possible exterior entry points.

Jenna & Josh | Avatars•Firsttimehomebuyers•Nurse&MarketingManager•Newlyweds,nochildren•Avidgamers

Joanna | Avatar•RealEstateAgent,5yrs•Marriedwithonechild•Createsvirtualhometours•LearningPhotoshop

Jim | Avatar•Movingfromapttocondo•HighSchoolteacher•Divorced,2grownsons•Enjoysgames,motorcycles

Jason | Avatar•RealEstateAgent,10yrs•Single,ownscondo•Lookingfornewsocial

marketingtechniques

AWINHomeInspectioninspector’smainroleistocommunicatewithhomebuyersabouttheirnewhome,andhowitssystemswork.Accurateinformationisanimportantfactorinthesuccessoftheinspection.

Client ProblemProspective homebuyers are often confused about the home inspection process, and problems found in the home can seem overwhelming. The client, WIN Home Inspection, wanted to educate and reassure homebuyers about the process.

User Centered Design• Conducted qualitative interviews with stakeholders• Defined user personas to understand user needs• Designed scenarios based on use case analysis• Generated sketches & prototype• Refined business & design requirements

Solution = ExperienceInteractiveinformationsysteminSecondLife®:Second Life® is an immersive virtual world that’s free and accessible. WIN can effectively educate & talk to homebuyers in a simulated environment. Customers can learn about home systems and experience inspections from the inspector’s point-of-view.

Feature goals• Interactive views of home systems including roof,

crawlspace, plumbing, furnace, windows, etc.• Educational displays and videos• Metric-gathering scripts to learn about the virtual

home visitors and prospective customers• Games and prizes to encourage repeat visits

Social networking goals• 3D Twitter feed to permit external communication• Staging in-world events to engage visitors

• Real-time open house to network with agents • Annual WIN Conference conducted virtually

Evaluation • User testing and surveys • Virtual world heuristic guidelines• Analysis of data gathered on site with scripts

THESEEMOREVIRTUALHOUSEHomeInspectionasImmersiveUserExperience

ThePersonasTheDesignProcess

InspectorIdentity

Thepersonasexercisewasparticularlyimportantforavirtualworldprojectwheretrustcanbeanissue.It’scriticaltogainthetrustofpotentialusersviagooddesign,andtohelptheclientassesshowSecondLifeuserstranslatetorealcustomers.