*This was going to be a simple follow up post on Facebook Messenger to the Walgrave Real Estate Group, but it quickly turned into a small book on an intro to real estate videography.
Real Estate Videography
Walgrave Real Estate Group
RE/MAX Advantage Plus
Savage, Minnesota
February 22, 2024
I. Michael Walgrave’s Background in Videography
My background with film and videography dates back to the 1980’s when we had VCR players and VHS tapes. My brothers, sister, and friends would get the camera out and film when we were in kids. We created breakdance dance parties, lip-sink contests, and skits. It was fun. And dumb. But fun. I was hooked on “creating.”
My videography hobby continued off and on in high school with one production being submitted as a project for a physics class in the 1990’s. It was a “Waynes World”-like skit that talked about the planets. The physics teacher would go on to play that video for years afterwards as an example of putting humor and education in video form.
In 2007 (OEF VII), I decided to film my combat deployment with the 173d Airborne Infantry in Afghanistan.
While deployed, my buddies and I passed the time by filming the daily happenings of the infantry called “Afghan Highway.” We had access to digital cameras, computers with basic editing software, and some internet. We were able to send videos back in forth the combat zone to friends at other posts. It was by no-means meant to be professional “combat journalism.” That wasn’t our MOS (job assignment).
After the military in 2009, I kept the camera rolling and took a 100-day trip down the Mississippi River on a shack-boat. We filmed the whole adventure and created a movie called: “Driftin ol Miss.” At this point, I was just discovering YouTube. I used the first iPhone with a camera (3GS) to film the journey.
In 2010, I went back to college at UW-River Falls for Agribusiness Management with an Emphasis in Sustainability. I kept the camera rolling with live music, agriculture, sustainability talks, and River Falls tourism being the main subjects. I also joined a couple of video/production clubs on campus.
I coined my style as “farmer marketing” videography. Keep it simple, effective, efficient…work with what you got and get it done. You don’t have to know a lot about a tool; you just have to know how to use the tool. I would use this style of videography when working at and touring organic farmers on the West Coast in 2012-14.
So, here we are in 2024. AI, a plethora of platforms to share and communicate on, 8K phone cameras, 5G….the matrix? Realtors in the meta-verse?
Who knows what the future holds, but we definitely have a lot of tech tools today to get business done. I encourage you to have some fun with your real estate marketing videos. After all, technology is just a tool, but your authentic-ness as a person is one big reason strangers will want to do business with you especially if you educate and humor them.
So, without further ado, let’s make some videos, build your network, generate leads, and close more deals!
II. Intro to Real Estate Videography
Here are the main lessons I’ve had with videography over the years.
Videography 001
Turn on the Camera and Hit Record
- Pretty basic advice, but sometimes the biggest hurdle to get started.
- If need be, have some one else turn the camera on for you.
- Don’t be over-critical of yourself and the content, but learn from it with experience.
- Develop a habit of taking real estate pictures and hitting record.
- You can always come back and edit later.
- Have fun and educate.
Videography 002
Do a Test Shot and Review Material
- Hit record and review.
- How is the audio?
- How is the video framing?
- How is the video lighting?
- Experiment with different camera angles.
- Have fun and educate.
Videography 003
Other Production Considerations
- Weather.
- Battery life of tech.
- Storage space on camera.
- Have fun and educate.
III. Real Estate Videography 101
Creating good social media content has never been easier.
Learn to create a good work flow for yourself.
Video Production Process
A. Research and Pre-prep before The Shoot.
1. Research the home
2. Research the community
3. Research the market
4. Have equipment and wardrobe ready to go
B. The Shoot
1. Videos/photos of the community
2. Videos/photos of the home
3. Videos of realtor talking about home and community
C. Editing and Data Management
1. Length of Video
Short video: 5-seconds to 30-seconds.
Medium video: 30-seconds to 3-minutes.
Long video: 3+minutes.
2. Use video editing program that works for you and your equipment.
Software for your phone
Eg. iMovie on iPhone.
Software for you computer
AI video editing
Eg Canva
4. Create rough draft
Import vids/pics to editing software
Arrange videos and photos on a timeline
5. Refine rough draft
Add effects
titles
background audio
transitions
Adjust audio volume and effects
6. Double check everything
7. Create and export final draft
D. Upload and Share
Try multiple platforms
Eg. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X-Twitter, etc.
Share with business partners and team member for feedback.
Share with the internet on multiple platforms and blogs.
III. Thoughts and Considerations on Real Estate Social Media
The link below is a current example of my “Farmer Marketing” style that I’m “testing” for generating leads and connecting buyers and sellers for a deal:
The video was filmed Tuesday, February 20th, 2024. Hosted by Fieldstone Family Homes Inc, Tyrone took me on a “power tour” of 5-homes in 1-hour and 15-minutes at the Kenwood Hills neighborhood of Lakeville, Minnesota.
From traveling to filming to editing to being shared with stakeholders took about 30-hours. The video length initially posted is 1-minute and 34-seconds in length.
The video contains pics/vid, transitions, subtitles, and narration.
The video is titled “18290 Jurel Way, Lakeville, MN | Fieldstone Family Homes Inc |” on my Moving Minnesota YouTube page.
Let us review my own material:
A. The Good
1. Tyrone responded promptly, guided the tour, opened doors, …lights-camera-action!
2. Efficient and timely.
Filmed multiple houses in a short time on short notice.
Changed wardrobe
Good for post production efficiency.
Helps potential clients get to know you.
3. Weather/sunlight cooperated.
4. Took horizontal and vertical shots with an iPhone 15.
Will need both those camera shots for differnt platforms and visual variety.
Eg. Instagram (vertical-viewing) vs YouTube (horizontal-viewing).
5. Perfectly staged new home with great indoor lighting.
B. The Bad
1. More realtors from the team didn’t show up to join in on the “power tour.”
2. Not yet a big time production with millions of fans.
3. Too long for the short-attention span crowd.
4. Do I need to be on camera more? To what end?
C. The Ugly
1. Ongoing questions to be answered
Does this video create value?
Does it educate, make someone laugh, or both?
What can I improve on? Audio, video, timing, camera, angles, etc?
2. Am I leveraging this video correctly with my audience and network?
D. The Awesome
1. New builder partnership with Fieldstone Family Homes Inc.
2. They can make your client’s new home dreams come true.
That was a fun project.
I hope to see the team show up for the next real estate video production nicknamed, “Power Tour 2,” in Inver Grove Heights February 28, 2024. Wednesday 11am. (2hr).
Bring your cameras and your wardrobes. Have fun, educate your clients, and get to work!
