This isn’t the type of content I normally put on this blog but I decided that it has some value for home sellers as well as for real estate professionals. For two years now I have been listening to people in the real estate industry tell me that video is where it is at for property marketing. None of the people recommending it actually sell houses, most either sell video related products or write for organizations like the National Association of Realtors.
I have not used much video to market my listings, I do use as many pictures as I can get and virtual tours. I like to set it up so persons surfing the net can quickly look through the pictures without having to look at the tour if they don’t want to. Watching a video, looking at a tour, or listening to a podcast are all more time consuming that looking at pictures. I know not everyone is like me but I find when I am looking for information on the internet I want to get it as easily and as quickly as possible. Video’s and podcasts are not for people with short attention spans unless they are short, and very well done. I could be wrong about my opinions on this and if I am I hope you will set me straight.
The video was done by New York City’s IntoTheBox.tv and its host Rachel Natalie Klein. I got to meet Natalie in person. She is very talented, and charming.
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The 10 seconds of finger tapping and sighing, while I waited for that video to load precisely speaks to your comments. If there’s one quality internet users share, it’s the lack of patience and attention span.
Carl – think it might even be the internet that is shortening our attention spans.
I am 100% in agreement with your comments. I have posted on that before on other blogs where they report on video being the wave of the real estate blogging/selling future. I want to scan my information and leave when I’m done. I don’t want to be forced to sit through a video that may not, in the end, give me any value. But I have to wait until the end to find out if indeed it has provided any value. Your post is right on for people like me. BUT, I did watch your video, probably because I knew if you posted it, it would be good. I was not disapointed. Great laugh for early in the morning.
I couldn’t agree more with you on videos for real estate, Teresa! And I think you’re right about the internet shortening our attention span.
I’ve seen video on other real estate sites, and with the rare exception, they were a total waste of time. One of the more recent ones I watched was from someone who promotes the heck out of video being the latest greatest, AND he sells his services doing videos for agents. His video on the latest listing he had done for an agent was AWFUL! I couldn’t wait for it to be done – I was feeling a little motion sickness coming on.
And like Karl, I think I watched that video only because you posted it. And it was a HOOT!
Teresa,
How timely is this? I had my son over last night to discuss this very topic. I have been playing around with video shooting small clips with my digital camera ( meant for stills but has a video feature) My son owns a JVC 34X zoom digital video camera. His cost was only $160. and it shoots fabulous movies.
I am interested because many of the consumers here in Portland prefer a DVD rather than a Flyer.
It will be a learning curve but I have some specific ideas of what I want. And I am very concious of the ” Time Factor ” Although as time goes on, those with slower PC’s will eventually upgrade.
As a real estate agent, one needs to think about the site visitor.
Are one’s site visitors, people that are looking to relocate, second/vacation home buyer or local buyers and sellers? For an agent in the market where people might be considering relocation or second/vacation home purchase, the video is something that can help to orientate the person to the location.
We do have to remember the buyers are using the Internet more extensively than before and judging properties they wish to view in person. Video can provide this service to them beyond pictures or virtual tours.
We must also consider the site visitor always has the right to view additional pictures, virtual tours or video.
I should mention that I have sold a home with the help of a video showing the neighborhood and the community’s amenities.
Maybe the video does have a place in our arsenal of tools?
You bring up some interesting points, Teresa. Video as a topic was all over the Inman Connect last week, but oddly I didn’t hear a word about how attention span would play into it. I think video is something we do have to at least consider using, as Glenn said, but is it as tried and tested as the hot talk at Inman made it seem?
Glenn – I didn’t mean to imply that it has not place, I think it does but it is overhyped at this point and there are some really bad videos out there.
Christopher – I had my hand up during that session to ask a question about consumer attention span. The session ended before I could
I agree personally that professional photos and virtual tours are the tops when marketing the specific property. Videos are better tools for developing clients, not selling the home.
I did a series of short video “walking tours” of my Ravenswood neighborhood that are posted on several sites and get google results and have been contacted by several clients due to them.
For instance, another local housing site in Chicago called YoChicago.com films various agents in their core neighborhoods (they graciously did my videos). They also visit developments, do interviews with architects etc, etc… these are great tools “surrounding” the property. It’s like PBS for Chicago real estate.
But when it comes to the home itself I’m with you. Rifle through those photos and let me see a floor plan!
Bottom line, discuss it with the seller and make a decision based on the marketing plan as a whole.
I always get a kick out of some of the real estate videos I’ve seen… even my own.
I grabbed this one to put on my blog, T.
