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Video: The Future of Real Estate Marketing

Insight from Brian Niles, Outlaw Partners Director of Video Production

BY ABBIE DIGEL

In 2009, an individual in Bend, Oregon sold his million-dollar home to a buyer from Seattle, sight un-seen. How did he convince the buyer into such an investment? It was easy. The listing agent had a video tour made of the property, posted it to a couple key online sites, and the buyer was hooked.

Brian Niles works in Bend, Big Sky, and fi lming locations across the globe. He’s been making videos like these for six years, and sees the real estate industry changing drastically. “There are more effi cient methods of marketing a home now than there were, even fi ve years ago,” says Niles. “Online video is where the industry is going.”

Real Estate Testimonial from Outlaw Partners on Vimeo.

Through websites like YouTube, realtor.com and Facebook, agents have a much broader reach for listings. From realtors, Niles has heard numerous accounts of a buyer watching one of these videos and making an offer, or sparked interest that led to a purchase. “Video is the most compelling online medium these days,” Niles says. It’s a far more effective and effi cient marketing plan for real estate.”

Victoria Smith, a realtor in Bend, started using Niles’s videos last summer for Alpenglow Vacation Rentals. “When compared to a home of the exact same price and neighborhood, [people] chose my house to rent because of the video,” she said.

Niles says the beauty of video is that it can be customized. “Every home has its own unique story, and we showcase that story through a lens.” From there, the options are expansive: “From the basic tour that is edited to music and bullet style text, to full-on aerial filming and voiceover.”

Bryant Green, a broker who works with Niles in Bend, says most buyers are looking at each home online for an average of 30 seconds. “You need to catch their attention, and a video tour is a great way to do that.” Video tours are advantageous to both buyers and sellers. They save time, energy and money for realtors and clients.

Niles says it’s all about fi rst impressions. “If I’m looking at houses online and the fi rst photo I see is a zoomed in picture of a bathroom, or a washed out photo of a wall…. I’m out. We’ve got an edge, and we take pride in helping agents be successful.”

The Outlaw Partners offers a range of video options for any budget, and also provide training on making a video tour go viral through home search sites across the country.

Check out Brian Niles’ work online at theoutlawpartners.com/outlaw-projects To schedule a video tour, call him at (541) 771- 3047 or at the Outlaw Partners office at (406) 995-2055.