Image via Wikipedia

Video is becoming a popular tool in the real estate agent’s marketing plan. And why not? YouTube happens to be the worlds second most popular search engine. That is why it is a great idea to incorporate video into your real estate business. Not only do you get exposure on YouTube, videos make great content for your blog, real estate website, Facebook Pages, and more.

Many agents really want to start using video, but draw a blank as to what kind of topics to do real estate videos on. So here is my first installment of my 10 Ideas For Real Estate Video.

1.  Video Tour of Homes

One of the most obvious ways to use video for real estate is to do video tours of your listings. As a form of a virtual tour, simply take a video walk-through of the home. Take shots of the front and the surroundings on the street, then walk through the front door and take viewer through the home as if they were walking through it in person. This is something that can easily be done with your own camcorder if you have the right tools (a decent camcorder, a tripod, and simple editing software). If you are marketing a “high end” or luxury listing, or you just don’t have the time, then I recommend hiring a professional to make the video tours.

(No camcorder or budget for a professional? You can also make a video tour by stringing together still photos using such software as RealEstateShows, Animoto, and more.)

This is a great tool to use for buyers too! Take along your camera on showings to record the homes your buyers are viewing. Then you can email your videos afterward to remind your buyers about exactly what they have seen. Or you can send the videos to their far-away spouses or family members to take a look.

2.  Tour of Neighborhoods/Towns

Image by cobalt123 via Flickr

Build your trusted “local expert” status by taking a video tour of the neighborhoods and towns you serve. Show off the great neighborhood features, the local parks, favorite local hot spots and shopping. Highlight everything that makes that neighborhood unique and a great place to live. It is a great way to show those thinking of relocating to the area why they should move there.

Do you serve a selling area comprised of several distinct neighborhoods? Do a separate video for each of them. The more content you can provide, the better.

For an excellent way to do a call to action:  Invite your viewers and current residents to request that you highlight their favorite neighborhoods or parts of the area.

I don’t normally pat myself on the back, but I was just notified of this today…

I am happy to announce that I recently passed the IVAA Certified Virtual Assistant examination with flying colors and am now considered a Certified Virtual Assistant ( a.k.a. CVA) by the one of the leading VA organizations, the International Virtual Assistants Association.

More on my CVA announcement from IVAA:

This designation is the industry standard for excellence. It is no small accomplishment to have passed the CVA examination, which tests VAs at an advanced level as opposed to core competencies. The IVAA CVA examination is the only VA examination-format certification that tests a VA in many areas of a VA practice.

I am happy to have this certification under my belt and a plan to display it with pride and to uphold the same high professional standards as always. Thanks for the opportunity IVAA!

Thanks for letting me toot my own horn for a minute!

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