Blog & NewsGearing Up for Real Estate Video Tours
There’s this growing buzz about how providing video tours is the next “must do” thing if you’re eager to attract as much attention as possible from potential online buyers. I’ve been watching the list grow from hundreds to literally thousands of listing tour videos on free hosting sites like Youtube. Most videos fetch anywhere from 50-200 views, but it’s difficult to tell how many of those viewers actually manifest into real-life prospects – I’m sure it won’t be long before somebody out there conducts a formal study.
Creating video tours is not for everyone. In fact, I believe that a generous stock of quality listing photos competes well against the majority of video tours I’ve watched. That’s because so many of the video makers play it safe. The videos consist mainly of zooms, pans and tilts that attempt to capture both the interior and exterior beauty of the associated property. Video is great if you have moving objects like flowing fountains, crackling fireplaces, breezy curtains, and so forth, but a lot of the time the shots do little more than draw your attention across a static room that could easily be captured in photographic form.
Unlike photos, videos can actually mimic the process of an open house tour, yet rarely do. When you’re showing a client a house do you stand them in the front yard and pan their head from left to right? I didn’t think so. With the technology available today, it’s very easy to freely navigate your way around a property pointing out details that are worth knowing. When you treat the camera like a client, your viewers will find themselves more deeply immersed in the video, and that’s a very good thing.
So how can you create dynamic / engaging / smooth video?
The secret is in the camera accessories. For real estate agents, I recommend steering clear of overusing your tripod. Tripods are fantastic, and everyone who owns a video camera ought to have one. However, the problem with tripods is they only allow shots from a fixed position. Hand-held shooting is more flexible, but it may result in shaky, awkward video footage. The problem can be eliminated by using a Glidecam or a Steadicam to stabilize it. For the most common camera sizes, the Glidecam HD-2000 or the Steadicam Merlin will work just fine. Have a peek at how much of an improvement these devices make for hand-held video:
In addition to the camera mount there’s a few other accessories that any real estate agent ought to have. First, I recommend picking up a lavalier microphone, also known as a lapel mic. As the built-in microphone on your camera faces forward, and is almost always omnidirectional, it does not serve you well to record your voice while shooting. Unidirectional lapel mics will minimize surrounding noise and provide a clear audio track if you choose to include one. Very few videos offer audio recordings from the agents themselves, instead opting to play music throughout – this is a missed opportunity. An on-camera video light is a good idea too. For instance, the Litepanels Dimmable LED Video Light comes with color conversion gels, diffusion, and has an adjustable tilt – great for matching it to the available light source, and for better illuminating dimly lit rooms. Lastly, a fisheye converter for your lens will allow for a wider shot of exterior and interior spaces. Most video cameras have a very powerful zoom, but will be restrictive on the wide-angle side.
Always remember that your videos are responsible for guiding the viewer’s attention. Use your experience to determine what people are historically interested in seeing/learning and attempt to capture that in your videos. When you have good sound and great footage, your video is on it’s way to becoming a sure-fire success.
Real Estate Marketing | Bryan | March 18, 2009
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One thing that is never mentioned in the literature from Steadicam or Glidecam providers is that besides that high cost (hundreds of dollars and UP), there is a steep, steep learning curve. It takes hours and hours and hours AND HOURS of practice. In fact, it takes hours just to get the thing balanced!
However, a true ‘walk through video tour’ as we have been providing in the New England area for four years is THE way to properly do a video tour. It IS truly the closest thing to actually being in the home. You can actually walk THRU the home, up the hallways, steps, drive through the neighborhood, etc. Opponents of full motion video (usually still photographers!) argue that video for a non moving object such as a house makes no sense. They are correct. In our videos, WE are moving, not the house. We are moving THROUGH the house, just as a perspective buyer would. Here’s a sample: http://www.nashuavideotours.com/virtualtours/sample/Samples/homesample.html
Great looking video Fred. I agree setup and cost might be barriers some people won’t want to cross. The Glidecam 2000 Pro (used in the sample video), for instance, costs around $300+, with the Steadicam ranging around double that.
For the “do-it-yourselfers” out there though – those who are already planning, shooting, editing, adding audio, exporting, and uploading video to the web – I think that the learning curve is on par with your abilities.
For those already creating videos, the choice really breaks down to two options if you’re eager to increase quality:
1) Hire a Professional
2) Upgrade your gear and/or accessories and practice.