We scour the globe to find the best property videos. Some sell a lifestyle, many sell homes and a few might even bring a smile to your face.
First came printed glossy brochures. They were filled with text and pictures, highlighting the property’s USPs. Then it was 360 degree tours. Now the latest trend in the world of real estate is high-definition videos.
Some agents are opting for short videos with uplifting music. Others are using presenters or drones to bring homes to life. But what makes the perfect property video?
Ideally, it’s one that sells your home. It doesn’t have to be seen by millions of people, just those who will potentially snap up your property. However, it should be well-crafted with the right ingredients to capture a buyer’s imagination. And the perfect video should appeal to the “head”, “heart”, or more likely a combination of the two.
Here are five videos from around the globe. If you are thinking about putting your house on the market this January, they are full of ideas and insights.
Roller-coaster tour
Do not underestimate the power of humour, but make sure it talks to your target audience. Here is a humorous property video in an Extreme House Selling round-up (www.thehouseshop.com/extreme-selling). A mini-rollercoaster takes buyers through a house in Ermelo, the Netherlands. It generated nearly 4m views on YouTube – a viral success story.
Take a tour:
Show and tell
Filmed well, a video can give a genuine feel for a property. You can see what you are buying and envisage the layout or flow of the building. A good example is this barn conversion with a Grade II-listed dovecote (now a wine cellar) within the grounds of Axwell Hall, Newcastle. The property is on the market with Fine & Country (£695,000).
Take a tour:
A room with a view
Video is a great way to elicit emotion, whether through a beautifully-shot film, a perfect soundtrack, a moving story or a soundbite that resonates with buyers. It can also sell a lifestyle, such as this Sotheby’s video for a property in Venice. Villa Wagner in Giudecca was originally a brewery and is next to the old Fortuny fabric factory. The film captures Venice’s architectural style and the building’s restoration (available through Beauchamp Estates; http://www.beauchamp.co.uk/en/ and Venice Sotheby’s Realty; http://www.venicesothebysrealty.com/).
Take a tour:
Location, location, location
The property is not always the star of the show. A coastal, city or countryside location can often be the highlight. Here is a drone aerial video, filmed around a Deià hilltop Church in Mallorca, Spain. The movie only lasts about 40 seconds and leaves the viewer hungry for more. It is a well-shot film with upbeat music – all set in an idyllic location. A rare combination that only a few properties can offer.
Take a tour:
Alternatively, try this for a tour of a development in Somerset: https://vimeo.com/jooka/review/141520619/aa587a440c
Lights, cameras, action
So what is the ideal length of a property video? Under one minute feels too short, but after two and a half minutes, the viewer is ready to move onto something else. This video showcases Villa Ivy, overlooking an attractive bay on the south side of Brac Island, Croatia through Pin & Pin (http://pinandpin.com/).
Take a tour:
The future
Technology and property will always collide and complement each other. We can look forward to more experimentation in the world of real estate as agents and filmmakers come up with new and innovative ways to sell our most valuable asset.
Virtual reality tours are already beginning to make their mark, too. They give potential buyers the opportunity to visit a property vicariously, using headsets such as Oculus Rift. They may be a long way off for some agents, but are coming to a screen near you soon. In the meantime, expect more beautifully-filmed, emotionally-charged videos. And a bit of humour won’t go amiss, either.
Whether you are dreaming, planning or are interested in learning from the experiences of others, download our free international property guides:
France: http://www.everythingoverseas.com/france/
Spain: http://www.everythingoverseas.com/spain/
Portugal: http://www.everythingoverseas.com/portugal/
Australia and New Zealand: http://www.everythingoverseas.com/australia-and-new-zealand/
Florida: http://www.everythingoverseas.com/usa/
South Africa: http://www.everythingoverseas.com/south-africa/
