Tips for Hosting a Virtual Open House
With all of the changes and adjustments going on this year, agents have had to be adaptable when it comes to their strategies for selling and showing homes to clients. But let’s be honest: while we’re willing to adapt, change can be difficult when you’ve been in the business for many years! If you’ve heard the buzz about “virtual open houses” but are not sure where to start, take a look at a few of the tips below for achieving the best results.
Record in landscape view.
Unless you plan on using this video for Instagram stories or IGTV, always record your videos in landscape view. Doing so allows you to capture as much detail as possible and will make your video the ideal dimensions to be shared cross-platform.
Stabilize your camera.
We’ve all been guilty of taking a video only to watch it back and be distracted by the shakiness and movement that comes walking with the camera. When you’re showcasing a home virtually, you’ll want to minimize any sort of distraction that would detract from the home itself. One inexpensive way to reduce these movements is by using a “selfie stick” to hold your phone. For the smoothest, most professional looking video, consider using a “gimbal”, which eliminates movement by using an electronic stabilizer. This is a highly rated gimbal created for mobile devices that creates smooth videos effortlessly.
Wipe down your camera and make sure it’s clear.
While this one may be obvious, it’s often overlooked. The last thing you want is to finish your video, watch it back and find that your camera was smudged, rendering your video useless. Use a soft cloth, like microfiber, to make sure you’re “in the clear”—before you start filming!
Be as detailed as possible with descriptive words.
Put yourself in the viewer’s shoes: They can’t be there to see the home in person, so you’ll need to use words that are more descriptive than just “nice” or “beautiful”. Consider walking through the home before you record for the specific purpose of choosing descriptive language to use that will help your client get a true feel for the characteristics of the home.
Keep the attention on the house.
When filming your tour, avoid switching the camera onto yourself after you’ve started your video. This will help minimize distractions and keep viewers engaged by staying focused on the house itself.
Stick to a schedule.
Many MLS give agents the ability to schedule virtual tours on their listing. Additionally, advertise that you'll be premiering a video on a certain date on your Facebook business page or Instagram. Do what you can to advertise that you’re still marketing properties, even if it’s not in the traditional sense.
Consider other technology.
If you’ve been curious about new technology for showcasing listings, now is a great time to consider new technologies that bring homes to life virtually.
Here are a few companies that may interest you:
This is an unusual time in our market and profession and we appreciate the hard work of our agents to serve their clients! If you have any additional questions, reach out to your Office Manager for ideas and support.
RE/MAX Gold sells more homes each year than any other independently owned real estate brokerage in California, with 86 offices in 26 counties to serve you, in association with RE/MAX One.