Virtual viewings and tours have replaced physical showcasing. This is great news to those looking to rent out threat properties because it means reaching a wider pool of prospective tenants. These video tours are a great marketing tool to have in addition to in-person showings.
Despite what many people think, creating these videos doesn’t require tons of video or editing expertise. It also doesn’t require expensive equipment. If you follow some basic guides you’ll be able to produce quality videos yourself, at very little cost!
Once you’re done reading the article, you will feel more confident in your ability to increase the exposure of your Florida property through quality and high-resolution visual aids.
Ensure the Area is Clean
Were it an in-person showing, you would ensure that every inch of your rental space was glowing. The floors would be vacuumed or polished, the walls would look fresh and the windows would have a new set of blinds installed. So, why should it be any different for a video tour?
No tenant will be interested in a cluttered and untidy space. We recommend that you call in a cleaning company, the same way you would do to prepare for in-person showings.
You want to capture and show off the best features of the property to draw in renters. This can only be done if the space is clean and looking fresh.
Plan Your Shots
Think of taking your tenant on a journey through your property. The final video tour should feel like a normal walk-through to the viewer. You want the attention to be on the unit and its amenities, not on the video itself.
You want to show them all the rooms in your rental in a logical and flawless sequence. It is recommended that you plan how you are going to film the video.
Put yourself in a tenant’s shoes. What would make them interested in signing that lease? Start from the front door and move through the space on your own. Find the best flow and identify which features to highlight in the space.
You also need to plan how long each shot will be. Your final video should be around 2 minutes and no longer than 3 minutes. You don’t want the viewer to click off, so keep it short and sweet.
Use Natural Lighting
If you want your room to look spacious and comfortable, consider shooting your video in the early mornings or late afternoons. Open the blinds all the way and let the sunlight stream in.
Artificial lights, in the form of bulbs and LEDs, usually have some yellow tinge effect that is picked up by cameras. While these lights can still look good on camera, if you have a unit that gets a lot of natural light, make use of it.
Shoot in Landscape Format
As discussed earlier, you have a short amount of time to capture the allure of every room in your rental unit. The best way to do this is by using a landscape format over portrait mode.
A landscape video tour allows you to capture a wider view and it gives a more natural feel. You also won’t have to move the camera back and forth as much to capture the features of the room.
The landscape format allows you to get a better feel for the space. It also allows you to narrow down on the finer details. Make sure you use landscape format for your video tour.
Edit Your Video
You cannot film your video and upload it without doing some kind of editing. Editing allows you to remove background noises and sounds that may have crept into the video like a neighbors lawnmower, creaking of the floorboards, or a dog barking.
You can also add in a voiceover and titles to help convey more information in addition to the visuals. Adding a voiceover in editing also means that you don’t have to worry about talking and filming at the same time.
The good thing is that editing software is a dime a dozen in the current market. You’ll be able to choose one that is user-friendly and affordable.
Things to Avoid
The following are things to avoid when filing your video tours:
- Thumbs and fingers in the shot. Be conscious of a stray thumb or finger. Just a second of it in the frame could spoil a good video.
- Reflections in mirrors. It can look unprofessional if the videographer suddenly appears in the frame because of a mirror. It may look inevitable when you walk in the bathroom but with proper planning, you can work around it.
- Shaky camera work. You want to hold the camera stead when filming. Shaking images will be distracting and cause people to click off the video.
Bottom Line
As a property owner, you can appreciate that marketing and advertising are just one of the many responsibilities on your shoulders. Said responsibilities can become overwhelming.
Why not contact the professional, local management company to help with marketing and any other aspects of property management?
Offering full-service property management, Gifford Properties & Management is the provider to call upon! For over a decade now, Florida property owners have been relying on our quality and customized management packages. We have tailored our services specifically to meet their needs.
Contact us today and receive consistent and quality services at an affordable price!
