Home : Blogs : Allen F. Hainge, CRS : Allen F. Hainge's CyberStar(r) Blog

Neighborhood Videos: A Must...And An Example

Consumers buy a neighborhood first....then find a house they like in that neighborhood. Agents know this, right? Then why do so few (less than 2% in my opinion) have neighborhood videos or virtual tours on their sites or linked to their blogs?

Taking a video is easy these days: just get a Flip Digital video camera, practice a bit, then take your neighborhood tour. Posting to You Tube is easy, too: the ability to do so (2 clicks after you take your video) is part of the software included with the Flip...even an English major such as myself can do it!

Arlington Video Screen Grab

I came across this example of a tour of Arlington, VA, an area near me. It's done as a rap...not sure you want to do the rap bit, but it really shows off his area. A good neighborhood tour that captures the flavor of the neighborhood.

You can view it here.

On second thought, perhaps you do want to do the rap! :-)

Whether you include the rap or not, I urge you to include neighborhood videos on your site. You'll see your site inquires go up if you do...guaranteed!

BTW: Be sure to see my blog post, "23 Uses for Real Estate Videos on You Tube," here.

It's a great day here on the lake in Reston...hope it's a great day wherever you are, too!

Allen F. Hainge, CRS

President/Founder, The CyberStars(r)

View Allen's Agent Blog Here

Posted by Allen F. Hainge, CRS on 06/27/2009 09:47 AM

Comments (13)

Neighborhood Video Tours in the ActiveRain Channel

real estate video, video on agent web sites, flip video, real estate marketing, cyberstars

Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: RE/MAX Active Rain Bloggers
Post is included in group: Real Estate Technology
Post is included in group: Rainmaking - Internet Marketing Strategies
Post is included in group: Keller Williams 'Rainers

13 Comments on Neighborhood Videos: A Must...And An Example

JUN

I have been reviewing neighborhoods manually and want to add video. I have to go get me a new camera and try this soon. Thanks for reminding me and I'm sure the SEO is well worth the effort!

Allen: I have seen this video before... perhaps as part of a post about Starbucks being more present in affluent areas. Don't trust my memory, though.

In general I would think that a neighborhood video would be a great idea, but this particular "rap" video... I could not turn it off fast enough.

I've been photographing neighborhoods one at a time . . . takes time. The flip has been recommended a couple times, video would be a great addition. Thanks for the post Allen.

Leaura: Go for it! We need to take action on the things that will make us money, save us money and save us time, and posting neighborhood videos on our sites should be a priority. As for the camera....the Flip Video will make you so much money for such a small investment. Get the 60 minute capacity HD model...you'll bless the day you did.

Karen Anne: No need to do the rap, as I mentioned in my post. But....don't "throw the baby out with the bath water"....get those neighborhood videos up on your site...you'll be glad you did!

This video is entertaining but too long, I think, and "rap" would not be the right choice for every community.

Excellent post, and thank you for the sharp reminder to "get with the program". Video views of the neighbourhood are an essential, not a frill.

For those of you remark on the rap that accompanies the video...reread my post! I want you to see the video as an example of how you can video important parts of your communities. I wouldn't do a rap soundtrack either...unless I specialized in selling to the "Rap Crowd." :-)

Laura: Sorry for misspelling your name! :-(

Allen: Yer gettin' kinda hyper there with your rap remarks. Slow down a bit... life is too short. Sure we read the post... and we're just sharing our own ideas... so... chill.

I like this. I just snap a couple neighborhood photos, but a video is much more inviting. Thanks for the ideas.

I hope you'll remember me if you learn of anyone moving to "The OC" and I will do the same!

Best regards.

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

@ Michael Caruso above: As you have been told before, asking for referrals, and posting all of your personal information, your alphabet soup collection of designations, and your 2007 Presidential credentials... all of this "stuff" is considered Comment Spam when you post it in someone else's post comment section. It is a violation of Active Rain Community Guidelines. I would think that someone with all those designations would know how important following the rules is.

This is Allen's post... not yours. Please be fair.

The rap video was funny and entertaining. I think the responses got hung up on the rap rather than the time and effort to make the video interesting and entertaining. More thought needs to be put in a video about a neighborhood. Sure you can put footage of playground and pool but what else?

JUN

Thanks Allen. I loved that! So funny, and so thoughtful.

Nelson is right. That young man put a lot of work into creating a piece that will reach and engage HIS target market. Excellent example, wonderful production. But who among the rest of us have that kind of talent... and TIME?

Thanks for your comment, Elva! As for having the time to do things like videos (or update and add to your Web site, do a blog, maintain your database, etc.), that's where assistants come in. Perhaps it's a high school student who can do neighborhood videos, a VA who can do your database and Web site, etc. You can always find someone to do the "little things"!

Again, thanks for your comment!

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?