I was just wondering how many of you do videos on your listings. I mean real ones. Not these silly videos on youtube of properties that are basically a slide show. I currently use a Flip HD video camera for all my listings. No matter what type of listing. I've received lots of complements from buyers and sellers. Even though my videos aren't professional grade.

I've become very critical lately of the virtual tours out there. In my opinion they are worse then they were even 5-6 years ago. Most of the virtual tours I see now are these cheap things that just make the regular picture move. Not the full circle spin around pictures that they were in the beginning.

Do you think buyers like those? What's the point.

A real video if done even partially well can show things still pictures or even a "real" virtual tour can't. Plus they are a heck of a lot cheaper.

What do you think?

I see videos as being a great tool to add to your arsenal but was wondering about which camera to select. I tried a camcorder that was similar to the Flip but it could not get the whole front of a small home in the shot unless I was really far away from the home. how do you overcome this with the Flip? Would you recommend the Flip? What software do you use to edit?

I recommend the Flip HD. It's a wide screen. I was using a regular Flip and it was good too, but it broke and the HD quality is so much better. It does a good job of getting the whole house and room. I don't know how long your driveways are there, but I can just stand at the sidewalk and get the whole house. Though I do recommend a tripod if you have shaky hands. I just have been using the Flips software that came with it for editing. It's good enough. And it makes it very easy to upload to youtube and other places once done with editing.

Then once it's on youtube I just use the url or the embed codes to place on my blogs, website. I use the url code to place it on the MLS as a virtual tour. So then it shows up as a virtual tour everywhere the data from the MLS goes.

Though I have been playing with the video creation software my webprovider company has.

ColoBroker, that sounds impressive. Any chance you can point me to one of those videos so I can see what they are like? Thanks!

I sent you a pm with it TimBer

Colobroker,
If you have time, I would be interested as well.

Colo-I bought a Flip last year and the first time I used it, I forgot about audio! I walked through the entire little brick rambler, slammed the doors, creaking floors and knees but never said a word. Felt so silly! Great little product!

ha ha. That's kinda funny. That's the part I don't really like about doing the videos. Have to keep talking. No silent spaces. Gotta watch the mirrors in bathrooms also. One I did last week that had a great master bathroom, but so many mirrors I couldn't do much with it except kinda peek in. So many reflections of this weird looking guy with a camera talking to himself. I try so hard not to say "here is the kitchen" when I get there. Or other obvious comments. I try to think of little things to say before I do it. I also split up my videos. No need to bore a viewer with climbing the stairs, opening the front door. I like to add music to my videos to cover up or take away from those little sounds.

which Flip HD do you have??? The mono, the ultra....just curious. can i see your video also?? i think this is so cool and buyers would be impressed, not the same ol stuff from the other agents! keep doing your thing!!!!

I have the Ultra.

In the new and growing age of technology providing videos on listings is an immensely beneficial tool. It gives your customers and clients the true feeling of almost standing in houses or listings that they haven't been able to visit yet. I think this is a great tool that will increase the portability of available homes in your area to show your clients from the palm of your hand. Such a great tool!

Cindy Wilson

www.eagleriverhomes.com

Colo, if possible, I would love to see a sample of your videos.

Video has proven to be a powerful tool - for both buyers and sellers. There's a learning curve (mines been 13 months and just scratching the surface) but well worth the effort in my opinion.

Just start and go with it.

Cheers

Holy Cow ... yesterday was my 5 Year anniversary !!!

LOL

Dave your videos look good. But no voice over when you are going through the homes? What camera do you use?

Colo, could you send me yours too? I may invest in a FlipHD. Have the Ultra and not too tickled with it. It's OK but didn't wow me.

I use Animoto which takes my stills and turns them into videos...it works great.

I've been using video to keep customers updated on home construction progress and home previews but not to showcase my listings so far. I usually upload to YouTube...used Facebook at first but upload is really slow there.
What hosts do others use?

I use Yahoo video as well as youtube. I'm searching out more places as I've heard submitting to various different video hosting places helps with SEO.

Videos are a great way to show your clients multiple houses in one sitting without having to go to each individual house. Videos basically speed up the clients decision process because they can eliminate or encourage different houses on their list narrowing their choices. As any Realtor knows still pictures really just don't do many houses justice and it is hard to clients to get a complete view of the house. Video on the other hand is a better medium to convey the size and design of a specific house to your clients with clarity.

Myles Weisman


www.homesforsaleinsandiego.com

Hi Myles,

I looked through your featured listings and didn't see any video. Did you have an example of what you do?

Hey Everyone,

I'm new to these real estate forums, but seasoned in using video to market online. There are many different types of videos that you can create and certain videos will make more sense depending on where a potential customer is in the buying process.

Animated slideshows with high quality pictures and a voice over work well as do actual video tours of a home.

I think the key is what you do with the video after it has been created. Putting it on your site and YouTube is a good start, but there are many other sites that you can place videos on and different tactics to get more people/the right people to see your videos. Things like YouTube Promotions, video search engine optimization and social media marketing can help get the most out of your videos.

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hey Thanks for this informative site about working . I really enjoy being a working reall estate and taking this challenge.
adam
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