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See the Video Tour Yet?

May 20, 2020 By Doug Francis

“Our video tour numbers were up 933% in April, 2020”

– Sotheby’s International Realty

Yup. This caught my attention too

Over the past two decades, giving online real estate shoppers more information has been a high priority for companies eager to find the next big thing. But the problem facing videos was poor image quality or platforms that weren’t up to par. A sub-optimal user experience.

The first time I used a 360 virtual tour on a listing was 2001. A foggy memory now, but I remember the company used a fish-eye camera that would spin to capture each shot. It really was cool, but not very practical since most people still had 28.8k baud dial-up service over AOL!

Again, a sub-optimal user experience.

The real shift is online home tours

BOOM! March 2020 – the big lifestyle shift happened and everyone is spending much more time at home, Zoom has become the new Kleenex, and Netflix has been making a killing. We are online, online, and online.

Realistically, I think we can agree that this behavior will last far beyond the day when we are all vaccinated… consumer video usage literally jumped ahead five years in just five weeks.

We are now addicted to watching video. And for anyone remotely interested in real estate, luxury home videos are high octane content.

In a Zoom meeting this week, the director of digital marketing from Sotheby’s International Realty mentioned staggering numbers from the global YouTube channel. Browse through because it is interesting.

Sotheby’s International YouTune Channel

Is the Vienna real estate market ready?

Quick answer for buyers: Yes!

Quick answer for sellers: No.

Since I have been tinkering with video technology for years, when a client said he had to sell his home in Vienna, I knew adding video would be a key piece or social media hook since everyone had been told not to make unessential trips from home.

As always, I hired my professional real estate photographer. Let’s be honest, with literally every wedding and event canceled around Washington, D.C. metro area, there are plenty of experienced videographers who can shoot and professionally edit these short tours (stories).

Now, this Vienna home was sold (May 2020) but it does give you a good feel in a realistic, non-fish-eye way.

Another way of giving online home shoppers a tour is using a 3-D virtual tour using a technology that scans the entire interior. If you haven’t seen it, then take a look at this tour of a listing I have in Annandale.

Although it is a different experience, it does give anyone searching from their current home in [insert city here] for a new home here, an opportunity to linger, explore, matching it their lifestyle.

Going to a bunch of open houses on a Sunday is so January 2020… an open house simply isn’t in the cards right now.

Take a look at this Matterport Tour now. FYI: It will open a new window.

inside tour 3-D
Press image to start

Home Search from My Home

Home sellers need to be ready to meet today’s home buyers virtually, through a smart, well planned virtual strategy like the plan I just hustled through.

Unfortunately, human attention spans aren’t what they used to be… and that is one of the key takeaways here.

These innovations will be changing rapidly and I plan to stay engaged. Check out that Sotheby’s YouTube Channel and let me know – cheers!

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Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he "starred" in a tech commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Being able to guide my clients through many real estate sales, either moving out, moving in, or just across town, has been a rewarding experience that helps when discussing a plan with a future client.

Being able to help them focus and understand our proven sales plan always eases their anxiety of this looming personal task. And, putting it into bite-sized steps always helps them get where they really want to be.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the town tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Questions? Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing ~ and my marketing starts here. My elite clientele has been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients now.

Thanks for reading... and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or send me an email at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
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