How to Film a Great Video Tour of Your Rental

Property video tours are becoming incredibly popular. Marketers have turned to creating virtual tours to reach a wider array of prospective clients. This marketing strategy has proved fruitful capturing more interest.

People like the convenience that property video tours offer. They don’t have to drive somewhere, rearrange their schedule and take time away from their busy lives. Instead, they can watch anywhere, anytime and decide if they like how a property looks.

Leenan Properties have put together this article and the below video so landlords can understand the best methods to create a great video tour.

Here are 8 tips to help you create attractive video tours to advertises your rentals:

1. Set Your Camera to Landscape Mode

A widescreen format allows you to show more details. It invites viewers to look at the layout of the property within the wide frame. It’s also more appealing and lends a cinematic approach. Consider theaters and TVs, they use the 16:9 aspect ratio for a more balanced viewing.

If you were to opt for a portrait format, a lot of details would be missing since the focus is narrower. You’ll also have black lines framing the video which is a poor use of space. The most important thing to keep in mind is the subject of the video.

So, stick with landscape mode for the most natural-looking videos.

2. Take Advantage of Natural Lighting

For the best results when shooting a video, aim for early morning or late afternoon lighting. Why? The sunlight isn’t as harsh or bright. There’s a reason it’s labeled as golden hour or magic hour. It creates a glowing light and puts the subject in the best hue.

So, open the windows and let the natural light spill into the property. The brightness and natural lighting will make the footage more appealing. Avoid using a flash as much as possible because it can ruin the look of the video.

3. Mind the Audio While Filming

Spontaneous or live audio recording in a video can be challenging. Sometimes you can’t account for a passing sound of a screeching car or a dog barking somewhere.

It’s best to keep the original video on mute rather than catching distracting natural sounds. It’s recommended to add the audio later through a voice over.

If you want to add some sounds, you can incorporate music into the video later. Choose music that creates an inviting and calming ambiance for listeners. And be sure to use free music to avoid copyright restrictions on your videos.

4. Take the Time to Learn About Composing Your Shots

Always approach a shoot with the viewer in mind. You must study the subject, in this case, the property, and find the best framing for your shots.

Consider:

· What areas you want the viewers to focus on

· What the best features of the property are

· Which angles give the most accurate representation of the size and feel of the space

If the distinct feature of your property is the spacious outdoor or backyard lot include that in your video. Take slow pan shots and make sure that transitions are smooth and natural from room to room. Retreat to the corners of the room to find the best angles of the property.

You might even consider a short montage to show off the neighbourhood so prospective tenants can familiarize themselves with the area.

5. Be Careful Not to Cover the Lens and Check the Background

Sometimes when we film, we forget to check the position of our hands or the background of our shots. We might not notice that our finger is in the shot or that our reflection is visible in a window or mirror.

Always be aware of your surroundings and of hand placement. Otherwise, you might find yourself needing to do re-shoot. You might want to consider hiring a professional videographer to get a good quality video.

A professional comes with their own skills and equipment, saving you time and resources. Although, you can also use a mobile phone that has a quality camera and video settings.

6. Steady Hands are a Prerequisite for Good Videos

Shaky footage doesn’t come off as the most professional. Viewers are more likely to click off a video if it has jerky movement.

Keep your hands steady while filming. Hold the video camera close to your body for minimal movement. It could also help to lean on a wall for support so when you take pan shots, the movement is fluid.

Another alternative is to use a tripod. This leaves your hands free and can give you more time to frame your shots. It also eliminates the issue of shaking and makes the video appear more professional.

7. During the Editing Stage, Craft a Compelling Story

Editing is key to level up your mobile video footage. Good narratives are essential to videos. It would be weird to watch a property tour that starts in a bathroom then jumps to the entrance then cuts to the backyard.

You want the viewer to see everything the property has to offer. This could include special features within the space. However, information about the area around the property and activities nearby can also be featured in the video.

Create a shot list and a storyboard to map out your shots ahead of time. This gives you a focused approach. Your viewer will be able to focus on the property rather than the quality of the video.

8. Avoid Lengthy Videos

Some viewers tend to choose videos according to their length. If it’s too long, few will click on it.

Strive for 2-3 minute videos. Short-form videos are more engaging. They’re also more likely to be re-watched. You want to avoid video skipping or unfinished viewing.

People have shorter attention spans these days, so keep it short and sweet. Remember, the quality of the videos will hook an audience. So strive to catch the viewers’ interest in the first few seconds of the video.

Bottom line

Video tours are great marketing alternatives when they’re done right. Take your time when generating a video idea then develop it fully.

While the content of the video should be highly prioritized, it’s helpful to learn about video filming techniques for the best results. A well-planned video will look effortless to the video which will spark more interest in your rental property.

Make sure you check out Leenan Property Management for more information.