Any marketing campaign, especially in real estate, starts with the agent or the seller putting themselves in their clients’ shoes. Of course, one would already have a target audience in mind as they think through possible lifestyles that go along with the spaces they are about to advertise. Staging is out of the question; it is a necessity for all real estate marketing campaigns.
I mean you cannot just put a house out for sale or for rent in the very much competitive Alaska Real Estate market without tidying up. Yes, that simple effort already counts as staging, and of course, as demanded by the first sentence of this paragraph, you have to go the extra mile.
But wait, you noticed, why aren’t there many inquirers calling in? Well, look at what year we are in. 2021. The race for the latest advancements in technology has gone lightyears ahead of the traditional ways of showcasing real estate properties. Agents and sellers will have to take advantage of what technology offers and fit in appropriately in the race. To answer the question, the key to getting along and getting ahead of the competitively growing Alaska market is Video marketing. But it’s not just video marketing per se. Here, let’s explore this amazing option further.
Real Estate Photography has gone so far that it is no longer just about photos anymore. As we explained in a previous article, “Video Marketing Sold More than the Radio Star.” Let’s take that up a notch. Two words: Video Walkthrough.
A video walkthrough showcases a home, dynamically, with a guiding ‘eye’ as it goes through the property, most probably starting with the exterior of the house going into the interior spaces one by one as if the viewer is walking inside the house. In some cases, it could begin with the drone shot making it possible to put the home in the neighborhood, which could be pretty much advantageous for those who are particular with location. Here’s what we mean virtually:
Just by looking at that, by now, you should have a vague realization of the advantages of putting a video walkthrough on your next real estate marketing campaign. But let us clearly point those out. So, why are video walkthroughs necessary in Alaska real estate campaigns?
Hospitality Matters (Psychologically)
A video walkthrough lets a person inside the house, virtually. One crucial word here is “virtual”. By the power of the internet, any person in the world will be able to go inside the house without going to the location physically. So, say for example, someone in the armed forces is looking to move to Alaska for an assignment but they are not there yet and would like to live outside the base. While planning the move, they might look for properties and they can just easily browse into your listing.
Nothing compares to a warm welcome when it comes to inviting people to stay. So, if people are allowed in already, even if they have not gone there yet, they can very well imagine themselves inside the house roaming around the interior spaces. The power of imagination is such an effective tool in real estate marketing. A potential buyer will always be reminded of their experience while going through the video and will most likely go for the property which is already familiar to them.
Coping Up with the Times
Aside from distance and schedule, house tours and open houses have been lessened because of the pandemic. Home searchers are more reluctant to go out and visit homes because of the restraints caused by covid-19. Even if we are through with the pandemic, people have already gotten used to staying inside their current homes and will always keep safety in mind more than before.
But that does not stop agents and sellers to find ways to let home searchers get a feel of the homes they are selling or looking to be occupied for rent. With a video walkthrough, the barriers put upon us by covid, can be bypassed. People will still be able to visit homes anytime, anywhere.
And that’s another advantage, with the traditional marketing campaigns, searchers will have to set an appointment with the agent or seller for a visit, who in turn will have to make time. Now that home visits can be virtual, anyone can just visit the home anytime they want wherever they are.
Optimizing the Environment
Alaska is home to great views of nature and open spaces which are beautified by nature. “Peace” is easily a good selling point for most properties in the state. As video walkthroughs can have drone shots showing the house’s particular location with regards to its surroundings, these views can easily be imagined by home buyers adding up to their interest.
What we’re saying is, if the house has it, if the roof looks great, if the location is amazing, flaunt it; use it to your advantage. Lighting inside the house can also be showcased in a more dynamic manner because of the movement suggested by a video walkthrough.
Making a Mark
As we have pointed out hospitality in our first point, this one here elaborates the importance of putting a person inside the house. Sure, photographs are very necessary. But more into quality images, a potential buyer will have to imagine themselves inside the house. They have to look at a property not as an outsider, not just as a visitor; they have to be in it.
Movement will suggest more powerfully rather than just a still photograph. Virtual Tours are very effective when it comes to this as the “visitor” will have free reign of the camera while going through the house, but let us reserve that for another topic. When “walking inside the house” has been planted into someone’s mind, subconsciously, the experience will always be there and they will be reminded by it when they think about all the houses they looked at. And if yours is the one where they felt “at home”, it will surely be one of the top considerations for their next home.
Building Up Your Brand
This one here goes to the agents. Every property that you are advertising is part of your portfolio. There may be ones that you will not include, and there will be ones that you put on the front page of your website or the first ones that come in the list of homes that you have already sold. If clients will see that your previous real estate marketing campaigns included video walkthroughs, it shows that you are about quality service. That you are about going the extra mile to sell the home at the best price in the shortest time. If clients will see how well you advertise your listings, you will likely be in the top five of their top ten. If clients see that you are not about the traditional lazy kind of marketing, they will see you as that dynamic agent who copes up with the times and takes advantage of all resources and technology available to them. Build your business with the best strategies available to you.
A word to the wise, video walkthrough may not apply to all listings. For example, if the roof is not that attractive, might as well just start the video with the façade of the house. This goes the same with properties that are very close to their neighbors, as it may not be a good option to some. But as most successful people say, every problem has a solution. We can always find a way to make your real estate campaigns work. With years and years of experience, DMD Real Estate Photography have helped sellers and agents bring properties to the fore of current listings in their best light. Calling this number would be the best choice to make: (907) 268-7701. Visiting our website and booking a photoshoot will be another.