In today's digitally-driven rental market, landlords are increasingly turning to video tours as an essential tool for showcasing their properties. These virtual tours offer a dynamic and immersive way to present rental spaces to potential tenants, surpassing the limitations of traditional photographs.
With the changing landscape of real estate marketing, understanding how to effectively create and utilize video tours is becoming crucial for landlords to stay competitive and attract the right tenants. Use this guide as a source of practical insights into crafting engaging and effective video tours for your rental properties.
What is a Video Tour?
A video tour is a virtual showcase of a rental property, allowing prospective tenants to explore and experience the space digitally. This immersive approach goes beyond static images, providing a dynamic and interactive view of the property.
In general, video tours allow prospective renters to visualize themselves living in the property even before they see it in person.
Why Should Landlords Consider Creating Video Tours?
Video tours often digitally replicate the experience of a physical property viewing, allowing landlords to showcase the property to potential tenants without having to schedule an in-person visit.
Here are a few reasons why you should consider creating video tours in your next rental property marketing materials:
Broader Reach: It allows landlords to showcase their properties to potential tenants regardless of their geographical location, breaking down barriers of distance and therefore broadening your audience.
Time-Saving: By providing a comprehensive view of the property online, video tours save time for both landlords and prospective tenants by reducing the need for multiple in-person showings.
Enhanced Presentation: Video tours offer a platform for landlords to creatively and effectively advertise the unique features and ambiance of their properties, which might be difficult to convey through text or still images alone.
Increased Engagement: Video tours engage viewers more than static images, allowing them to interact with the property and envision living there.
Pre-Screening Tool: They serve as an initial screening mechanism, enabling potential tenants to decide if they are interested in pursuing the property further, thus streamlining the rental process.
Expert Tips for Creating Video Tours
Creating an engaging and effective video tour of your rental property requires careful planning and execution. With the right approach, you can showcase your property in a way that attracts potential tenants and gives them a comprehensive view of what you have to offer.
Here are some key tips to help you create a video tour that stands out:
Personalize Your Tour
Creating a personalized experience in your video tour is key. By staging each room to reflect a welcoming and lived-in atmosphere, you can help potential tenants visualize themselves in the space. This approach not only captures their interest but also makes the property more relatable.
Remember, the goal is to replicate the feel of an in-person showing as closely as possible, making viewers feel connected to the property from the moment they start watching the tour.
Use Accessible Equipment
You don't need expensive gear to create an effective video tour. Today's smartphones are equipped with high-quality cameras that can capture excellent footage, offering a practical and budget-friendly option.
This accessibility means that creating a professional-looking video tour is within reach for most landlords. The key is to familiarize yourself with your device's capabilities and use it to its fullest potential to capture clear, detailed footage of your property.
Film in Landscape Mode
When filming your video tour, always use the landscape orientation. This not only avoids the visually unappealing black bars that appear in portrait mode but also captures a wider view of each room, providing a more comprehensive perspective.
Filming in landscape ensures that your video will be visually pleasing on various devices, from smartphones to widescreen TVs, thereby enhancing the viewing experience for potential tenants.
Prioritize Good Lighting
Effective use of lighting can significantly enhance the quality of your video tour. Aim to film during times when natural light is at its best, typically in the late afternoon, but be cautious of strong sunlight that can cause overexposure.
Avoid filming against direct light sources like windows to prevent backlighting issues. Adjusting blinds or shifting to different rooms based on the light can make a substantial difference in the clarity and appeal of your footage.
Manage Audio Wisely
The audio aspect of your video tour is as important as the visual. If you choose to narrate, provide valuable information about the property to enrich the viewing experience.
Alternatively, filming with the audio muted and adding background music during editing can create an engaging ambiance without the distraction of background noises. This approach also allows you to control the mood of the tour, making it more appealing to viewers.
Frame Shots Carefully
Pay attention to how you frame each shot in your video tour. Highlight the best features of your property, using different angles to showcase them effectively.
It's important to avoid using the zoom feature on your smartphone as it can lead to pixelation and blurriness. Instead, physically move closer to any area or object you want to focus on. This method ensures that your video remains clear and professional-looking.
Avoid Covering the Lens
A common mistake when filming is accidentally covering the lens with your finger, which can ruin your footage. This can lead to odd colors or compromised exposure in your video, detracting from the overall quality. Always be mindful of your hand placement when recording to ensure that your shots are unobstructed and clear.
Steady Your Hands
Stability is crucial for a professional-looking video tour. Shaky footage can be distracting and diminish the quality of the tour.
To avoid this, brace your arms against your body and hold your recording device close. When moving to capture different angles, use your torso rather than your hands to maintain steadiness. This technique will help you achieve smooth, steady shots that are more enjoyable to watch.
Consider Editing
Editing your video tour can significantly enhance its storytelling and appeal. Although it may seem daunting, with the right tools and software, it becomes a manageable task.
A well-edited tour can highlight the property's best features and create a more compelling narrative, making it more attractive to potential renters.
How Property Managers Can Help
Property managers can assist in the video tour process by offering expertise in staging, filming, and editing. They can also manage the distribution of the tour across various platforms, ensuring maximum visibility.
If you’re not sure how to do this, it’s best to find a reliable property manager to work with.
Conclusion
Video tours are a powerful tool for landlords to attract potential tenants. By following these guidelines, you can create effective and engaging video tours that showcase your rental property in its best light. Contact JTS Property Management if you need assistance.
