hand held stabilizers for real estate video tours

As most of our readers already know we are constantly emphasizing the importance of tripods for real estate video tours. We have reviewed the ways you can create a walk through style video tour with the use of a tripod.

Now what is you wish to create a full walk-through video tour?

At this point you will require the aid and use of a professional video camera stabilizer unit.
As a bit of background on professional video camera stabilizer units, they can cost  $25,000 and average in the $10,000 to $20,000 range! Ok we know you need a realistic solution.

Professional video tour companies will opt for a Glidecam unit, which still averages $600. The particular models are the HD2000 and HD4000.

For real estate agents wishing to produce their own video tours and on a budget for equipment, one solution is the Opteka Steady Vid Pro. The price is under $200 and readily available at on line retailers. The stabilizer can hold a camera up to 5 pounds.

Lets say you do opt for the Opteka or Glidecam, you will have to learn how to adjust it properly first. Then you will have to learn how to properly walk around the property, to produce a smooth and flowing walk-through.

There are numerous video on youtube regarding this topic, just look up the particular model you are interested in or have purchased.

Good luck on your walk-through video tours, and you are always welcome to contact us with a quick question

Video Tours Bring Life to Your Listings

The internet has been an excellent channel for real estate listings and help agents  to expand their sales and get new leads. Sellers in the in today's real estate market use online information to decide with which agent to list with. Real estate agents showcase their listings  to buyers with video tours do a favor to the seller and the agent expands their client base too.

While there are several ways that buyers can make home purchase decisions, the primary source of information is the internet. Even websites like zillow with comprehensive details included in their listings with the the addition of video tours generally have heightened popularity amongst buyers.

Video tours, will help bring the property listing to life, even if only virtually, buyers can really get a sense of the home by viewing a video tour of it. 

6 Tips for Shooting a Great Video Home or Property Tour:

1. Plan Your video Tour and Your Shots:   Determine what the home's features are important to buyers and how you will focus on them.   Stage the rooms that will be on video so your house looks its appealing and inviting.   Shot in the same sequence as someone would actually walk through the home.  Allow for the flow of the home to be realized from the video tour. Start with the front of the home and entry into the home.
2. Read the manual for your camera and understand all the features the camera has. The on-off switch, zoom and record buttons.   Practice using pause button between scenes by touching the “shoot” button and resume filming by touching it again.  Practice a see how the camera works inside your home in terms of lighting.
3. Hold the video camera as if it were a still camera.  You can attempt to do a walk-through with the camera, but the video will be jittery. Always hold the camera as still as possible.  A tripod is the only  tool used to steady the shot and frame the rooms properly.  
4. Try to shoot at least 10 seconds for each shot.   If you are panning the scene, 10 seconds will produce a nice flow and the viewer won’t get sick trying to watch while the room spins.
5. Lighting is very important.   Never shoot toward a bright window.  Lower the blinds and turn on all the lights.  If shooting outdoors, avoid  cloudy days, for best results early morning or late afternoon are good when harsh sunlight won’t wash out color and details and create harsh shadows.  Also when shooting outdoors, make sure the you are not shooting into the sun.
6. Keep the Video tour short and sweet.   Most of viewers will not watch through a video longer than 3-4 minutes, unless they very interested in the property.