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Real Estate Video Tours: Just For Luxury Homes?

By Susan Harding, HomeStar Video Tours

Services for Real Estate Pros

November 07, 2011 06:01 AM

“Yeah, it’s a great marketing tool for multi million dollar homes”… that’s what I often hear from people when I mention real estate video tours. It makes sense to market a million dollar property with high definition, high quality video. But what about for the average listing?

I recently produced a video tour for a home that’s nearly 9,000 square feet with a 2.5 million dollar price tag. Then, I went to my next shoot…a 1500 square foot townhome with an asking price of less than $170,000. And it reinforced what I’ve always believed about real estate video tours….size doesn’t matter. (Yes, another blog about "size"...snicker, snicker)

True, the townhome doesn't have the seven tier waterfall or dramatic entry, but the video does show the home buyer how the rooms flow into one another and gives a vivid look at its special features.

Whether it’s an entry level home or a luxury property, video lets the buyer get a feel for the home’s layout, to hear and see the sights that bring a property to life, but best of all, the video tour promotes YOU and your brand.

When considering real estate video, just remember that when it comes to your listing’s size, it really doesn’t matter.

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Li Read

Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC

Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

I agree...this is the best venue to get the "look" out there!

Nov 07, 2011 05:17 AM

Adrian Willanger

206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA

Profit from my two decades of experience

Susan-good job on the townhome, saw a lot more features that would have missed without the video tour.

Best

Nov 07, 2011 05:23 AM

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Hi Susan -

Great work! I am a strong believer that size doesn't matter either :) I market my condos the same way I do my high end homes. They are are equal in the eye of their sellers and I aim to please. Suggesting.

Best regards from the Q

Nov 07, 2011 05:58 AM

Donna Malone

Waterfront, Luxury, Family, Affordable, Cottage, Deals - Bridgewater, NS

Homes and Property for Sale Nova Scotia

Susan, It is easy to see why the video tour is an advantage to marketing both homes.

Nov 07, 2011 06:05 AM

Judith Sinnard

SMARTePLANS; Houston, Texas - Houston, TX

The SMARTePLAN Lady

Susan, nice videos ... the voice-over helps keep people oriented as they view the tour. I provide similar marketing services to Realtors, although we don't use videos. I'm usually paid by the Realtor (not the seller) so the price point has to be high enough for the Realtor to be able to afford the extra marketing services ... which is why the majority of my work is in the high end luxury niche. HOWEVER, like you, I am increasingly doing smaller and less expensive properties. This is largely because the listing agents have started to use me consistently as part of their brand --- it differentiates them from the competition. And for the past 6 months, I"ve started getting inquiries from new agents representing lower priced properties $150-$250K asking me is it "OK' if the seller pays me. Sure its OK and seems to be an indication that sellers appear to be more willing to pay for extraordinary marketing costs and there is flexibility there. Great post.

Nov 07, 2011 06:15 AM

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR

"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Susan, I swear you could go national! It reminds me of any of the wonderful programs I occasionally view of "The Best of"...series and honestly, those folks who have the $170K home should be PROUD--it's smaller, but equal in beauty and elegance of the 9,000 sq.ft. home--SERIOUSLY!

I loved the "seamless" line. The flow was very very comfortable and natural. You are GOOD, missy!!!!

Nov 07, 2011 01:26 PM

Mimi Foster

Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO

Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Both of these are excellent. I couldn't agree more. It is just as important for a 9000 sq ft house as it is for a 1500 sq ft house.

Nov 07, 2011 02:00 PM

Susan Harding, HomeStar Video Tours

Portland, OR

Showcasing You and Your Listings, 855-579-6284

Li and Adrian - Thanks so much for your comments! Appreciate you taking the time to view the tours.

Hey John - Yes, to the seller, it's all equal isn't it? And I think it's easy to forget sometimes that although it may be a lower end home compared to others - we're still talking about the biggest investment most people make.

And good to hear from you Donna! Thanks so much!

Judith - although what we offer is different, our services both help with BRANDING - differentiating from the competition. I've also seen a shift from just the luxury homes to the "average" listings as well. And yes, quite often, the seller is willing to pay - sometimes the Realtor just has to suggest it as an option. Good luck to you!

Thank you Gayle!!! You are too sweet. And it is amazing when you think of the difference in price, how the $170,000 home still had luxury finishes and those extras that make a home feel more special. It's pretty new construction, and I think more builders are realizing that even those with a tight budget want some elegance too!

And Mimi great to hear from you again! And I'll try to be a bit more consistent with the blogging...:)

Nov 08, 2011 07:13 AM

Steve Opacke

LI House Tours - Smithtown, NY

I agree 100%. Unfortunatelly here on Long Island most agents don't see it that way. I see Million dollar listings that are lucky they get a handfull of photos. Video tours forget it. Even when offered for free most agents tell me they don't want a video tour of their listing. They say it's an added expense they don't need. And no it's not a sellers market here. Of course one day video will be as standard as photo's.

Nov 08, 2011 07:40 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Hi Susan ~ you did a superb job with both videos. There's no reason at all for modestly-priced homes not to be staged and have a professional video, and this townhouse is a great example of smart marketing! Well done!

Nov 08, 2011 12:29 PM

Debb Janes

Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA

Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Good job Susan, I think few of us have the right equipment to capture the interior of homes correctly...lighting, tripods, etc. So, I agree it's good to have quality videos for ALL of our listings. Good job on both kiddo. ( Luxury home. Question - are the doors on a remote? Way cool. )

Nov 09, 2011 09:55 AM

Susan Harding, HomeStar Video Tours

Portland, OR

Showcasing You and Your Listings, 855-579-6284

Hey Steve - I know what you mean, and part of the challenge is educating some Realtors about what a difference quality photos and videos can make. I'm not one who believes video will or should replace photos. But using both (provided they're good quality) can not only help Realtors get more listings but research shows it increases the "perceived" value of the home in the buyer's mind. Always good.

And Maureen - thank you so much! As you probably guessed, the townhome was staged before the video tour and it really made a huge difference! I saw some photos of it before it was staged and it just looked like a boring, empty space.

and thank you Debb - you do need the right equipment, especially with the low light interiors and don't get me going on no tripods or steadicams. I'm actually upgrading my camera this weekend - the one I have is good but I've fallen in love with a better one - I just won't think about the price.:) And nope, no remote. I just had the Realtor and her friend hide behind the doors and open them. (Yes, they thought it was a weird request.)

Nov 10, 2011 05:54 PM