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The real estate video road show

Wheel Estate Cam, Episode 2

By Inman News, Friday, November 6, 2009.

Episode 2: Frank Borges LLosa of FranklyRealty.com in Arlington, Va., describes video techniques and equipment, such as the use of a wide-angle video camera and a monopod.

Frank recommends one video camera for real estate professionals in this segment:

In Episode 1, LLosa discusses his favorite digital cameras to use in capturing still images.

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What's your opinion? Leave your comments below or send a letter to the editor.

Copyright 2009 FranklyRealty.com

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Submitted by on November 6, 2009 - 1:24pm.

One thing I've learned from shooting video in homes is you have to plan your route through the home and watch out for mirrors... there is nothing cheesier than your reflection as you walk by a mirror holding the camera. This often means panning and walking backwards to get around mirrors which is tricky, especially if you don't plan your route.

___________________________
Sara MacLennan
REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Johnston
www.teamjohnston.com
www.EdmontonRealEstateBlog.com
Phone (780) 486 - 8655
Fax (780) 486 - 8654
Toll Free 1 888 EDM RELO
17803 Stony Plain Road, Edmonton, Alberta, T5

 
Submitted by John Occhi on November 6, 2009 - 1:41pm.

Frank,

Lots of good informaiton and truly "Organic" - I loved it when you finished pumping your gas and then when you were driving how the camera turned upside down.

IUn any event, good informaiton. I have been threatening to do video for a while now...perhaps this is what will take me over the top.

Thanks, and Remember...

All Real Estate is Local and Your REALTOR® Should be Too!"

John Occhi, Hemet-San Jacinto Valley Local Expert REALTOR®
The Excellence in Real Estate Team
@Allison James Estates & Homes
951-654-5550

 
Submitted by Bruno Skopinich on November 6, 2009 - 1:59pm.

Hey Frank very cool video.

What about mics... where you using a built-in microphone? Sound, was very clear.

I noticed many internet marketers doing video while driving... is there a psychological reason why?

It seems to me as I see things moving in the background, my mind was more focused.

What type of grip were you using to hold the camera on the steering wheel?

Thanks,
Bruno

 
Submitted by Richard Stabile Bergen County Real Estate on November 6, 2009 - 4:46pm.

I use video's all the time. The lighting gets challeging however. Moving around gives dark and bright spots.

 
Submitted by Fred Light on November 6, 2009 - 5:30pm.

There's a reason most people don't want to watch Uncle Bob's vacation home movies.... Using that "technique" (shaky, unedited, "raw" video with horrible audio) to market a home costing hundreds of thousands (or millions) of dollars... just doesn't make any sense. If you actually speak to buyers looking online for property, you'll find most are NOT thrilled with that type of presentation. It doesn't need to be flashy or slick at all, but it needs to be watchable. A barf bag should not be a prerequisite for watching the video. And it needs to accurately represent a product that is potentially selling for a great deal of money. You owe that to yourself as well as your seller.

I can't imagine that you would respond positively to a shaky, blurry, "raw" commercial with bad audio for a Lexus or a Mercedes, would you? You would mock an advertisement like that! Yet you're selling a product worth many, many, many times more than a Mercedes! Why should bad marketing be acceptable in real estate when you would not accept it anywhere else?

But, most realtors feel that taking dark, crooked, blurry photos of furniture pieces in a home (since that's about all you can shoot with a typical point and shoot camera) for the MLS is an acceptable way of marketing a home, so this is just a moving version of that philosophy - I don't expect things to change much for the majority of real estate marketing today - it can be pretty awful. The sideways toilet with yellow water I spied on the MLS just last week proves that point yet again!

But I would suggest if you want to truly present YOURSELF as a professional, present your BRAND as professional, and present your PROPERTY in a professional manner, that you NOT walk around with a $150 FLIP camera and horribly bad audio as a marketing tool for the public. Unless you really want to spend a great deal of time learning how to edit video and shoot video and deal with lighting issues, etc., you're better off not doing it at all or hiring a professional. Most real estate video tours can be had for under $200-$300, which is pretty reasonable considering the reach it has to potential buyers and the professional way it can present YOU, as a savvy marketing agent to potential clients.

Think of the sales pitch you give to potential FSBO sellers about why THEY shouldn't be selling their own property themselves. The same philosophy applies to you in this regard, does it not?

Real Estate Video Tours
http://www.NashuaVideoTours.com

Online Video Marketing
http://www.BostonWeb.TV

 
Submitted by on November 6, 2009 - 8:27pm.

Sara,
That is a GREAT tip. You are right, it looks very cheesy when you get caught in the mirror.

Frank

 
Submitted by on November 6, 2009 - 8:28pm.

John,
Send me the link once you get your first video up. Come on, don't be shy. And yes it is painful to watch yourself on video (some say it is painful to watch me).

Frank

 
Submitted by on November 6, 2009 - 8:30pm.

Bruno,
Mics, great question. I don't use any fancy mics for my videos (classes, listings videos, neighborhoods). The point and shoot cameras have decent mics if the voice is coming from within 3 or 4 feet. (actually I have recorded classes from 15 feet away and you can still understand me, the benefit of a super wide is you are 50% closer to the subject when shooting meetings and classes).

As for internet marketers using cameras in their car, I think we are trying to fill up our wasted down time. I got the idea from Ian Watt in Canada, and added the camera to the steering wheel.

As for the grip, they no longer sell the exact one, but in the mail today came two from Hong Kong. Got them on Ebay, I forgot what I searched for. I think Flip mount or something. I also like the Targus from Amazon that will mount to your window for $15, it beats all the $40 solutions.

Frank

 
Submitted by on November 6, 2009 - 8:31pm.

Richard,

You are right. Lighting can be tricky. Some cameras will adjust to it better than others. When possible go around and turn on all the lights first. I also found a $30 LED side lamp that will give you a little bit of a pop. Now of course, the pros will blow that away with a wedding style full beam of sunshine.

Frank

 
Submitted by on November 6, 2009 - 8:34pm.

Fred,
I knew somebody would bring up the "sucky" videos.

I agree with you in part. I am NOT a fan of the 38mm Flip camera. Yes, if you use that to do video AND you don't follow the ultra slow techniques and using a counter-balance with a tripod, it will make people throw up.

However, if an agent uses a super-wide with the instructions that I gave, I do think the consumer will appreciate it. And yes, many luxury brands are going Urban and making videos and ads that are more Organic and less Hollywood. If a video is overproduced, it doesn't look like a real and typical walk through Open House.

But I am thrilled that you are in business and think MANY agents would be far better off using you. Keep it up! Lets get that Realtor.com 1/2 of 1% up to a full 1% by years end.

Frank

 
Submitted by on November 7, 2009 - 7:39am.

Enlightening post. I saw that the vid was 7 mins and was like, "oh man."

Well worth every second.

Good job.

Kevin Tomlinson

Miami Beach Real Estate Resource
South Beach Real Estate Blog
About Miami Beach Florida

 
Submitted by Dena Davis on November 7, 2009 - 9:46am.

On the last episode you suggested the Kodak Camera that was discontinued. I havent been able to find that on ebay and I really want a new camera.

On this episode you suggest the samsung. But it only does 10 minutes of video. Which is enough for real estate.

What do you think of the flip camera?

 
Submitted by on November 9, 2009 - 5:52am.

I only have one question -- where did you get those seat covers? ;)

Great video Frank. The counterbalance alone was worth the price of admission.

I've done some REALLY lousy (from a production perspective) "drive by" videos of neighborhoods. But people LOVE them. They've made the phone ring on many occasions. Video works...

Jay Thompson
Broker / Owner
Thompson's Realty

Blog: www.PhoenixRealEstateGuy.com

.

 
Submitted by David Ross on November 17, 2009 - 2:04pm.

I think it's great that more brokers are looking at adding video into their businesses, and it's great to see Frank trumpeting the cause as this market is going to explode.
We supply video to brokers and agents (we are based in Australia and also in The Hamptons) so have a good understanding of it's effectiveness as a selling and listing tool.
I will always push quality as I think it reflects directly on your brand. Perception is reality.
Great to see video being discussed.

http://www.imageination.tv/ny/

David Ross
Managing Director
IMAGEination