camcorder




In the November-December issue of the CRS publication "The Residential Specialist" there is an article entitled "Shooting Stars". Several REALTORS® discussed their approach to subdivision videos. One point in particular caught my attention.

"Out of town buyers can't drive through a neighborhood and check it out, but you can - and record a video that gives them the lay of the land."

I am aware there are those who prefer a slideshow to video giving several reasons why videos do not maximize the appearance of a subdivision.
  • Some of the homes may have the garage doors open - when they move in they will see open garage doors
  • Some driveways will have basketball nets - they'll see them when they move in, also
  • Some of the lawns may not be freshly mowed - it is highly unlikely every lawn in the subdivision will all be freshly mowed at the same time
  • The camera isn't steady as you drive and shoot video - my husband drives slowly and I take the video. We may drive over an occasional manhole cover, but that's normal in our streets.
Selecting the best looking, most expensive, well manicured homes and taking a photograph of them and creating a slideshow is not a factual representation of the majority of the homes in the subdivision. The buyer may be shocked to find the subdivision doesn't look like a Hollywood set from the 50's of an old Doris Day movie,

Additional recommendations from the article are:
  • The video is not about you - your appearance should be introductory
  • You should also make special videos of community events such as parades, festivals, shopping centers, commuting options, businesses, etc.
I have included one of my subdivision videos as a sample of what I believe meets the objective - it has warts, but it is an everyday view of the subdivision. My commentary is brief and limited to vital facts about the subdivision.



 
Star Posted by Karen Kruschka - Prince William, Fairfax ,Stafford County VA Real Estate Service on 12/01/2011 07:48 AM   Comments (92)   Video in the Online Marketing Channel   videos, marketing, tutorials  
Short URL: http://actvra.in/nXW
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92 Comments on There Are Warts In My Subdivision Videos

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

DEC
02
2011
1,311,226 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Cheryl  I use a Sony DCR SX44  and Adobe Premier Elements 10 - both very user friendly
9:24am • #74
731,093 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Karen, your videos are true to life even with the warts. Although I didn't see any. Very nice representation of the neighborhood.
9:48am • #75
166,714 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Karen, you've made some great points. I have done slide show presentation in the past because I was worried the video would appear too shakey, but after this post I'll have to give the drive-thru option a try in the New Year. 
9:53am • #76
1,311,226 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Michael  There are those who consider open garage doors and basketball nets "warts", but they are reality
10:10am • #77
1,311,226 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Larry  Good for you - you will have fun, believe me
10:11am • #78
878,969 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Karen you always do a great job with your marketing and the videos are no exception!
10:12am • #79

Hi Karen, I have been doing the same thing here - and being a 15 yr vet to the business, but an 18 mo newbee to the Raleigh area it has helped me to learn my new market - perfection is not key to video - gertting it done consistently is the trick!
11:17am • #80
1,311,226 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Bill  Thank you - I always enjoy positive comments  :)
11:30am • #81
1,311,226 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Erika  Good luck in your new location
11:31am • #82
152,733 Points

The use of video is just another tool to improve our trade.

Good post, thanks for sharing it.
1:33pm • #83
123,601 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Karen: I really like this video and all the ones you publish. Warts Schmartz!

There are so many things you can do and say in a video. And plenty of experts have their own opinions. You've done well--think I'll steal some of your ideas.

 

Thanks, Julissa
4:21pm • #84
776,316 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Karen, great job on the video...this is something I've wanted to do for a while now...guess I better quit saying I don't have time because I think this is something every buyer will want to see.
4:29pm • #85
1,311,226 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Karen  Oops you missed somebody - sorry
6:12pm • #86
1,311,226 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Anthony  You are most welcome
6:18pm • #87
1,311,226 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Julissa  Please do
6:18pm • #88
1,311,226 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Nick  It is not taht time consuming
6:19pm • #89
DEC
03
2011
859,682 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Karen, I agree with all of your statements regarding why it's good to use subdivision videos in lieu of slideshows...giving a realistic view of the neighborhood is the better option. :)

Leilani
2:05am • #90
1,311,226 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Leilani  Haven't had a soul disagree with me yet  :)
6:43am • #91
DEC
07
2011
1,179,776 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I told a seller that I did neighborhood videos and he said "What? Google Earth isn't good enough?" I've done neighborhood drives and even commutes from the freeway to a neighborhood. Yes, they're amateur videography, but they get a lot of hits.
12:19am • #92
1,311,226 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Vickie  The fact they are homemafe makes them authentic
6:01am • #93

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Karen Kruschka - Prince William, Fairfax ,Stafford County VA Real Estate Service

Woodbridge, VA

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RE/MAX Olympic Realty

Address: 9214 Center St, Manassas, VA, 20110

Office Phone: (703) 499-9279

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