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Going Green with no limitations!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with First Impression Photography & Virtual Tours

I've recently been doing a lot of virtual tours and slideshows. Word is getting out about me and I think realtors are realizing the value and importance of quality images. Not only that, but by having a virtual tour or more than a handful of images, we can actually reduce our carbon footprint on this earth of ours.

Imaging if you will, searching for a property where I live. If you don't already live on the Sunshine Coast, you have to take a ferry to get here, and you are more than likely driving on. If you're not, your realtor may pick you up in his or her car at the terminal. Then you'll drive from house to house searching for that one house that makes you say, "THIS IS IT!" After a day of driving around, you drive back to the ferry terminal, and back to your home, wherever that may be. My family did this routine 5 times before we found the "one". That's a lot of driving ... and a lot of carbon footprint! 

Lets talk about money now. Ferry fare for a family of 4 in a car to come to the Sunshine Coast = Aprox. $83. Then you need gas in that car = you'll probably put at least $30 in the tank at $1.25 litre. You'll also need to eat while your out, lunch maybe even dinner = another $40 or more. And time, how much time goes into house hunting? Travel time, time in each house, time at the realtors office, time on the phone.

If each and every home listed had a virtual tour or 20 or so quality images, people could view these from the comfort of their own homes, saving money, time and the environment. They can evaluate the ones that will and will not work for them and only view the ones that peak their interest. Not to mention, this is a time saver for sellers too. The stress of trying to keep a busy household spotless will become less, making them happier! And happy clients is what we are all striving for!

There is no limitation to the homes that should have quality imaging done. Last week I did a 2.2 million dollar home; http://www.12640kent.com/  Yesterday I did a VT on a mobile home; http://tinyurl.com/3ohybo
 

 There are no limits! Encourage everyone you know to at least try a virtual tour or property website....do it for the earth!

 Thanks for reading,

Linda

Patrick Lambert
ALLY Real Estate - Waikoloa, HI
Hawaii Real Estate Expert
Well, thanks Linda. I think the virtual tour is a very important tool to use.
Apr 30, 2008 01:30 PM
Donna Marie Godfrey
Godfrey Properties - Pottstown, PA
Linda:  A picture is worth a thousand words.
Apr 30, 2008 01:31 PM
Linda Sabiston
First Impression Photography & Virtual Tours - Gibsons, BC
A picture is worth a thousand words....many pictures are worth a quick sale!
May 01, 2008 12:45 AM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate
Thanks you are right.  In this market it may make even more sense to do virtural tours.
May 01, 2008 03:10 PM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Hi, there!    I live in a similar kind of area (Salt Spring Island & Southern Gulf Islands) & I agree -- the virtual tour is a great place for that buyer profile to start.    Good for you!

Li

Jun 30, 2008 09:57 AM
DEBORAH STONE
Balboa Real Estate San Diego, CA - San Diego, CA

Linda,

Your point is very well taken. I think that we will be referring to the "good old days" when Realtors drove clients around, from house to house, for days on end. With internet marketing & websites, knowledge of neighborhoods, & a prequalification letter, I could take 15 houses & probably narrow the search down to 4 or 5 for most clients. We don't get paid to be drivers, we get paid to "NEGOTIATE" & close the deal. 

Jun 30, 2008 11:46 AM