Creating engaging property tour content that showcases listings and attracts buyers.
Property tours have very quickly become one of the most popular ways to generate buyer leads and showcase your skills as a realtor. Selling homes is what we are supposed to do, and a property tour is like a shining resume of exactly why someone should hire you.
Property tours are a great add-on to your listing presentation when you can speak about how many views you get outside of just being on MLS and how many buyers you attract on a weekly or monthly basis as another service you provide above and beyond your competition.
There are many different ways you can approach this and many different styles you can incorporate. Ultimately, the one you will consistently do the most for the longest time is the best one for you. You don't need a lot of fancy equipment or editing software. You can simply use your phone with a gimbal or a 360 camera.
There is no real shortcut to this process either. You will likely not be very good when you start and that is perfectly okay. You will get a little better and a little faster with each property tour, and you'll look back one day and be amazed at the amount of skill and leads you have added to your business in a short amount of time.
This is where most people give up, and unfortunately it is before they have even really started.
Of course, you will do all of your own personal listings, but where do you get a flow of consistent homes to film? The simple solution is the answer: ask other agents to film their listings and let them know you would like to provide free marketing for them and will attempt to bring a buyer.
Start With Easy Access Properties:
DO NOT Lie to Listing Agents
Don't say you have an out-of-town buyer and want to shoot a tour while you're there doing a virtual showing. Listing agents are not dumb, and this request comes up far too often. Just be honest and upfront about what you are doing.
Build Relationships Right:
If you do it right, they will likely call you every time they get a listing in the future. Relationships matter in this business.
Your Phone
With a gimbal for stability
3D Camera
For immersive tours
Lav Mic
DJI or Rode if speaking
You can also film all the content and do a voiceover later while editing.
Don't Overthink It
There is no need to put pressure on yourself to make it perfect. If you are new to this, it's going to take you one to two hours to get all the footage you need and the same amount of time or more to edit it. Don't stress - like everything else in this business, you will get better over time.
Pro Tip: Make Multiple Videos
You can make several videos while you are there - some with a 3D camera and others with your phone. The advantage:
Before You Shoot:
Remember: You will not be as good as them on your first try, and they weren't that good either when they started. It takes practice.
Key Filming Tips:
Editing is truly its own skill and one of the most important, if not the most important, parts of the whole process.
Consider Outsourcing
If you don't have the time or patience for editing, it can be outsourced through apps like Fiverr or UpWork.
Remember, your time is your most valuable currency. If you don't have the skill or patience for editing, hire it out and make sure you are prospecting while someone else is doing that work, so you are earning more than you're spending.
Editing Software Options (Simple to Advanced):
Simplest
Basic
Intermediate
Advanced
The one you will use most and do the most videos with is the best option. Try them all, start with what you're comfortable with.
Once the video is finished, you can record the audio. It is much better to use a proper microphone instead of your phone, but again, use what you have and stick with the method that allows you to shoot more videos.
Don't let anything tech or gear related be an excuse.
Property tours are simply another prospecting bucket. The more buckets you have, the more opportunities you will have.
1-2
Tours Per Day
If you don't have many clients and aren't busy with other methods
1
Tour Per Week
The bare minimum
Find your balance based on your current client load and prospecting time with other methods. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but this is something you should definitely have in your schedule.
Property tours are your video resume. Start simple, stay consistent, and don't let perfect be the enemy of good. The agents with the most views started exactly where you are now.