Since the advent of YouTube, video has exploded on both a global and hyperlocal scale. Businesses and industries everywhere have been employing video to promote their services and appeal to their consumers, and rightfully so. The real estate industry is no different; for brokers or agents not using video as a game-changing tool in their arsenal, they may be making a shortsighted mistake that could devastate their business in this progressively mobile marketplace. Lucky for the real estate biz, Captivate Video Tours understands this and more.
Founded in 2011 by Dave Stintzi in Fort Myers, Fla., Captivate Video Tours delivers high quality marketing tools for the real estate industry, including, but not limited to, community tours, house tours and digital business cards. Through the medium of video, the company effectively tells the stories of communities (and properties) through the people who live there.
“Video is by far the most captivating form of media that we have available,” says Stintzi, owner of Captivate Video Tours. “It’s penetrated every level of marketing and advertising. The proof is all over the place. Agents who make video a priority in their marketing platform sell homes faster than agents who don’t. It makes a huge difference online for websites and social media outfits.”
According to NAR, in 2011, more than 70 percent of people listing their homes preferred to list with a REALTOR® who offered video as part of their marketing plan as opposed to one who didn’t. Buyers, on the other hand, are 50 times more likely to view a video online than read text on the same subject.
“Simply put: Consumers want video. Whether they’re buying or selling, they want it,” says Steve Ewing, owner of The Digital Agent and Stintzi’s partner. “These consumer trends directly translate to winning more listings, driving sales, and gaining even more exposure online for your listings and brand.”
Captivate Video Tours offers an extensive array of products and services to appease almost any agent or broker. One of those products is the company’s comprehensive City Spotlights, which highlight the unique aspects of a community with relevant and interesting interviews of locals, city officials, prominent educators and more. With each City Spotlight, the town or city’s charm shines through, with the goal of sharing its special qualities with the rest of the world. Captivate Video Tours films the area extensively, showcasing golf courses, pools, schools, restaurants, parks and more, in order to accurately paint a picture of what life would be like if viewers lived in the area.
The company also offers Digital Business Cards, videos that lend insight into a particular agent’s style and philosophy with regard to customer service and business practice. Interviews with agents are conducted in less than an hour and put into short presentations, making for great content for social media outlets and websites, and helping consumers get to know the REALTORS® they are working with.
Perhaps most noteworthy, however, are the company’s video Home Tours that allow viewers to get the best possible perspective of the homes they are considering. These aren’t just simple slideshows or moving pictures; rather, the videos place viewers directly inside the home. They can actually see how the rooms connect with one another all from the comfort of their computer screen or mobile device and from anywhere in the world.
“Video tours have been touted as real estate’s next big thing for years now, but have been made largely inaccessible due to budget and time constraints. Projects were simply too expensive or the time allotted to complete them put the option out of reach,” says Stintzi.
Using a blend of steadicam, dolly and static shots, Captivate Video Tours delivers a product that’s not only cutting edge, but that completely circumvents the medium’s hurdles. Homes are brought to life in full 720 and 1080p resolution, with a speedy two-to-three day turnaround of the final product. The company also offers additional a la carte options, such as scripting, HDR photography, animated floor plans, agent intros and more, providing agents with the ability to create a customizable media package for each and every one of their listings. With these streamlined perspectives at their fingertips, Captivate Video Tours helps agents save time by giving their prospective buyers a first showing so that when buyers do go look at a home, they know what they’re getting into and already have a significant interest in the property.
For agents not using video as a powerful marketing tool, you might want to think again. With Captivate Video Tour’s efficient, affordable and easy to use products, home tour videos or community tour videos could provide that little bit of edge your listings need in order to sell faster.
“Video is unique because it establishes an emotional contact point between your consumers, your brand and your product,” says Stintzi. “We like to be creative and work with a variety of people, but our main focus is on the real estate industry. That’s where we see the biggest needs.”
For more information, visit www.captivatevideotours.com.
