I filmed a video house tour yesterday and the homeowner asked me, "Why isn't every realtor in the world doing this?" His broker sent him to our sister site, Cape Cod Inside Tours, to give 594095_info_sign_-_question_mark1.jpghim a sense of what we would be doing for his house and the homeowner said that he and his wife couldn't get enough. (Here is what his house tour looks like.) Standing on the lawn with him, he was perplexed why all local realtors weren't jumping on the bandwagon. All I could do was agree with him.

Video house tours are taking advantage of the latest technology. Since 80% of all potential homebuyers start their search for a new home on the internet, it is crucial that a realtor's web presence is as helpful, pleasant, savvy and welcoming as it can be. Using video to showcase a house allows potential buyers to get a true feeling for the property. Virtual tours, picture slideshows and stand alone photos can not give a viewer the sense of being on the property like video can. Often times they are disorienting, confusing and unattractive. A video tour is an open house walk through done from a distance. It's weeding out the serious from the not so interested.

The time will come when a majority of homes will be showcased on-line through video. As more and more dollars move out of print advertising, more and more will be invested on the web. Video tours will become commonplace. Only the smartest offices are taking advantage of it now. For what most realtors spend in a month of print advertising, a video tour, which can stay up week after week, month after month with no additional cost, is a mere fraction of the price.

Presently, I charge $250 for each tour. This includes the shoot, the hosting and supplying the link, which you can post and submit anywhere you like. 180891_porcelain_houses1.jpgOther web videographers around the country are charging similar fees. This is short money for a service that lasts as long as the house is on the market. How much does it cost for your ad to appear in the local paper every week for six months?

Check for video tour companies in your area. If you have one locally, begin to offer tours to your sellers. They will thank you for showcasing their homes in such a way. You will also find that the buyers you attract will already be interested in the home after having their interest piqued on-line.

If there are no local video tour companies, hire a traditional videographer to shoot the film. It should cost you between $100-$300 and then send it to us. We can edit it, host it and broadcast it to the world. The real estate business is changing and it is important for you to be leading the charge. Video tours are a small investment for a very powerful return.