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Are you looking for ways to generate more buzz for your available rental properties? Creating a video tour is an excellent option!
These days a rental ad simply isn’t enough to convince a prospect to rent your property They will want to have a more up-close look of the premises before they can make a decision.
While in-person property showings were the norm, times have changed. Social distancing has led to landlords coming up with creative ways to showcase their rental property to prospective tenants both in and out of state. And that is by conducting virtual property tours.
As it turns out, virtual property tours have shown to be quite effective when it comes to landing leads. These kinds of tours allow prospects a better sense of the space without having the visit the property in person.
With that in mind, how can you go about creating a great video tour of your rental property? Well, that’s what this article aims to answer today.
7 Tips for Filming a Video Tour of your Rental Property
There are two ways in which you can go about the process. One, you can simply choose to hire a professional to do it on your behalf. Or two, you can choose to do it on your own.
Now, hiring a professional will mean spending several hundred dollars. But luckily for you, you don’t have to. With simple DIY skills, you can manage to film the property tour yourself. And what’s more, you don’t even need to spend thousands on purchasing new equipment. A smartphone can film well too!
The following are tips to help you film a great video tour of your rental property on your own.
1. Prepare for the Shoot
Prior to starting the shoot, take some time to plan out the route. This can help ensure the video tour is smooth and steady, devoid of any backtracking or repeats. As you do this, keep the following tips in mind:
- Open up all the doors and windows – This will not only ensure maximum light but will also make it easy to walk through the property without disruptions.
- Begin at the property’s exterior – Curb appeal plays a key role when it comes to rental property marketing. Just like in in-person showings, curb appeal can make all the difference. So, give prospects a feel of the entire home, not just the property’s interior when filming.
- Pay attention to the most desirable aspects of the unit – This is what makes your property stands out from the rest. Highlight the kitchens, storage spaces, bathrooms, and any special amenities offered.
2. Use the Right Orientation
Specifically, avoid filming in portrait mode. The two vertical bars on either side of the video could also make the space look smaller as it provides a more narrow field of vision.
Instead, film in landscape mode. Films taken in landscape mode are not only pleasing to the eye but also capture more information in a single shot.
3. Get the Lighting Right
The right amount of lighting will ensure that prospects are able to see all the details of your home clearly without straining.
The best time to take a film happens to be either during the early morning or late afternoon hours. These times of day are called the golden hour. At this time, the sun rays aren’t strong and will not overexpose or wash out the video you’re taking.
Be cautious of backlighting. Simply put, backlighting occurs when the light source is behind the subject, causing a silhouette effect. This means that your prospects won’t be able to clearly see the object you’re filming. So, rather than face natural light, have it on your back.
4. Be Mindful of the Background Audio
Including an audio narration in your audio can help you provide more details within the video. For example, you may want to provide prospects with more details about a renovation you recently did to one of the rooms.
If you want to add the narration to the piece, consider recording a voice-over rather than trying to speak while filming. Doing the audio in post-production will give you a little more control.
If you’re not planning to have audio narration, then make sure to edit out any strange noises that may end up being captured in the video.
5. Capture the Best Property Features
Property marketing involves showcasing the best features and amenities your property has. The following are some features that can make your property stand out from the rest:
- A recent renovation or improvement, like new flooring
- New, energy-efficient appliances
- An abundance of storage areas
- A dedicated parking space
- A well-maintained yard
6. Keep Your Fingers Off the Lens
Covering your lens with your fingers, even partially, can be easy. And you may only come to realize about it once you are done with the filming.
Aside from keeping your fingers off the lens, you’ll also want to hold your smartphone steadily. This will help avoid filing a shaky video. Alternatively, simply invest in a good tripod.
7. Edit the Footage
Make any necessary edits to the video you’ve filmed. There are many apps you can use for this purpose depending on the type of smartphone you have.
If you are an iPhone user, then you have options such as iMovie, LumaFusion, Final Cut Pro, and Filmmaker Pro. On the other hand, if you are an android user, you have options such as Viva Video, Kinemaster, and FilmoraGo.
Bottom Line
Video tours have been proven to be effective in rental property marketing. They are not only inexpensive but can also help you get more leads than conventional rental ads.
If you would like help marketing and/ or managing your rental properties, contact the trusted experts at Cressman Realty & Property Management today!
