4 Questions to ask yourself before getting a Real Estate Video - Updated

What do theme parks and real estate marketing have in common? Well, they each feature an assortment of rides to excite our senses and make us come back for more. Yet, it dumbfounds me. Why get on a Tilt-a-Whirl (aka Virtual Tour) when there are rides like the Millennium Force (aka Video) in the same theme park? One makes my adrenaline rush and the other rushes me to the bathroom. A video excites buyers. A virtual tour punishes buyers. Here’s some great questions to ask yourself before strapping into the video roller-coaster of success.

1. What is my property worth? It’s not practical to pay top dollar for a video showcasing a $300,000 listing. Nor is it practical to showcase a multi-million dollar property with a low budget video. Your marketing budget and property should dictate what type of video you produce.

2. How much should I expect to pay for a video? Top of the line, full production videos can reach upwards of $3,000-$4,000. Not exactly the kind of change you’ll find in the penny bank, but as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. In this case it’s a turn-key, no hassles, marketing masterpiece. Think of the video as an investment. The more you put in the more you get out. For the value investor, lower budget videos can be as cheap as $200. As long as you use a professional, you will still receive a quality, innovative marketing product.

3. What type of production style fits my property? Do you have a waterfront property? Be sure to use a videographer that can do boat or underwater shots. Do you have a one-of-a kind estate? Be sure to find a provider who offers helicopter shots to capture the landscape. Is your property still being built? Then consider a 3D videographic rendering. These are excellent marketing pieces for luxury clubs and developments.

Quick Tip - Ask your videographer about the music, lighting, and other visual effects. Remember, if in doubt, keep it simple. Videos range from standard voice-overs to full production interviews with architects, homeowners, and historians. Know the extent of production before you take the leap.

4. What is the story? The story is everything! If you don’t have a multi-million dollar luxury property a standard voice-over video tour will suffice. However, if you have a showcase property the story can be the ultimate selling point. Has your property been in a Hollywood movie? Was a former resident a celebrity or political icon? Is there something special about the architecture? Are the kitchen tiles custom made in a small farming village in northern Peru? Every story has the potential to capture the audience. The more humanity in the story the better.

Video Fact - “Nearly a billion consumers worldwide will watch internet video by 2012, up from roughly 300 million today.” (ABI Research)

Contact Video@LuxuryProperty.com for information about our video partners and how to get your video on LuxuryProperty.com

Picture: CedarPoint -GeoCities