Page 6 - 8x8 Seller Action Plan

The New Reality in Realty. Selling homes with video is here!

Would you believe me if I told you over 75% of people living in the United States are using the internet?

It’s true! According to ITU of the 310,232,863 people reported in the United States in June of 2010,

239,893,600 are online.

With such a large percentage of home owners starting their search for property online, using video in

online listings should be at the top of the marketing plan to catch the eye of the perfect buyer! BUT, the

National Association of Realtors tells us "Only 1% of the Real Estate Agents in the United States are using

online Video".

Pictures are nice visuals and a well written description can be very helpful, but there is absolutely no

substitute to video to provide a buyer firsthand experience of your home. In addition to using video to

highlight the interior, exterior and special features of your home, it is important to showcase the

community and neighborhood attributes.

For example, if you live in the Conejo Valley area of Ventura County your video can highlight the state-of

the-art Civic Arts Plaza and the wide range of arts and entertainment, the truly unique Gardens of the

World and the fabulous shopping, dining, and entertainment offered at The Oaks Mall.

So…..what makes a good web video? There are 4 elements you need for a video that is compelling,

authentic and relevant!

1.

Show off your home’s best attributes

– Pools, fireplaces, shiny new appliances, gardens,

backyards, bedrooms – just a few things people tend to gravitate to in a new home!

2.

Film the neighborhood

– The neighborhood can highly influence a buyers decision so you want

to show them all the benefits surrounding your home without them ever having to leave their

computer! This could include any playgrounds and other recreational offerings in the

neighborhood. You could incorporate video of great areas or quick shots of the street the

prospective buyer will live on. If you’re a really determined, your video can include short

interviews with some of the current residents of the neighborhood and their opinion on where

they live!

3.

Save the buyer time and show them the community –

Since it’s so easy to include photos in a

video, you can ‘show’ several different features of the local area at once and your buyer can

view them right from their computer. This could include movie theaters, renowned hiking trails,

shopping centers, acclaimed restaurants, local entertainment, popular hot spots and so much

more. This is especially helpful for buyers who are moving from outside the area by giving them

a head start on their search.

4.

Answer prospective buyer questions –

You always want to make sure they know how to get in

touch with you and get more information. It is critical that you include a call to action in your

video or contact information so a buyer knows where to go next. This can be a website, email

address, phone number, etc.

Whether you are listing your home independently, looking for a realtor to list your home, or like to stay

up to date on the new and exciting trends in the real estate market one thing is for sure, there is a new

'must have' in Real Estate. Make sure that when your home hits the market, it has its very

own custom video!!!

Blessings, Barbara Radke