In today’s competitive housing market, high-quality media is the key to attracting home buyers. While stunning professional photography is a must for any real estate listing, a professional real estate video shoot can truly elevate your property and showcase its unique charm.
For Colorado real estate videography, where the natural beauty of the landscape plays a huge role, a well-prepared video is essential. A great video for real estate listings should not only capture the key features but also tell a story that resonates with potential buyers.
Interested? Contact Licocci Films for your real estate videography needs today.
This guide will walk you through 10 essential steps to prepare your property for a real estate video shoot, ensuring a flawless final product that captures the attention of home buyers and stands out on MLS listings. Whether you’re preparing a residential home or a commercial property, following this pre-shoot prep checklist will set you up for success.
1. The Deep Clean: A Prerequisite for Perfection
Before you do anything else, the single most important step is a deep clean. This goes far beyond a quick tidy-up. Every surface, from the kitchen sink to the bathroom towels, should be spotless. A professional cleaning service can be a worthwhile investment to ensure every nook and cranny is addressed.
Pay close attention to high-traffic areas and common touchpoints. A truly deep clean makes a massive difference, especially when a wide-angle lens is used, as it can capture more detail than the naked eye. Remove all clutter, including personal items, recycling bins, and anything that isn’t part of the staging. Remember, the goal is to create a blank canvas for the viewer to imagine themselves living there.
2. The Power of Natural and Artificial Light
Lighting is a critical component of any video production. Maximize the use of natural light by opening all window curtains and blinds. A well-lit room looks more spacious and inviting. If natural light is limited, ensure all lighting fixtures and lighting bulbs are working and match in color temperature.
Avoid a mix of warm and cool lights, as this can make white balance difficult during filming. A professional videographer will also bring their own lighting gear, but having the property well-lit from the start makes their job easier and the final video more professional.
Related: Licocci Films handles Colorado real estate photography
3. Tame the Outdoors: Curb Appeal is Everything
Curb appeal is the first impression potential buyers will get, and it’s captured in the very first shots of your video. The front yard, front door, and all outdoor spaces should be meticulously maintained. This includes freshly mowed lawns, trimmed hedges, and a tidy front porch. Make sure to hide or remove things like garden hoses, lawn equipment, and any personal items.
For a video walk-through, every detail matters, so even the state of the garage doors can influence a buyer’s perception. A great real estate drone video will also highlight these outdoor spaces from a new perspective, making ground maintenance a crucial part of the process.
4. Strategic Staging: The Art of a Great First Impression
Home staging experts often say that less is more. Remove unnecessary furniture to make rooms feel larger and more open. A professional videographer will be using wide shots, and a cluttered room will feel small and uninviting. The National Association of Realtors has long emphasized the importance of staging in attracting buyers.
Consider adding decorative pillows to couches and beds, and simple, tasteful artwork to walls. Focus on creating a neutral, inviting atmosphere that allows the architectural features to shine. Avoid overly personalized or seasonal decorations that might distract potential buyers.
5. Perfecting the Interior: Small Details, Big Impact
Once the deep cleaning and major staging are done, it’s time to focus on the small details. Fluff all pillows and comforters, align framed photos, and ensure every surface is free of fingerprints. Straighten all window curtains and make sure they hang evenly. A well-organized kitchen with clean countertops and a tidy kitchen sink is a must. In bathrooms, fresh, folded bathroom towels create a spa-like feel. These detail shots are often what make a video feel professional and polished.
6. Managing Electrical Cords and Wires
Nothing can ruin a shot faster than a mess of tangled cords and wires. Take the time to hide all visible cables from televisions, lamps, and other electronics. Tuck them behind furniture or use cable ties to keep them neat. This simple step makes a huge difference in the overall cleanliness and professionalism of your video.
7. The Role of Technology: From Virtual Tours to Drone Footage
For high-end properties, consider incorporating advanced technology like drone shots and virtual tours into your media package. While this may not be part of the initial video shooting, it’s part of the broader strategy for your real estate listing. A great videographer can use a combination of mirrorless cameras, wide-angle lenses, and even drone videography to create a comprehensive, high-quality media package that includes both a real estate video shoot and other forms of media.
8. The Importance of Professionalism: Partnering with the Right People
Choosing the right partner for your real estate listing is just as important as the preparation. A professional videographer like those at Licocci Films knows which camera settings to use to achieve the best look, from white balance to focal point. They will also be able to navigate the property efficiently, capturing key features and showcasing the home’s best angles. For aerial photography and real estate drone video, it’s also important to ensure they have the necessary filming permits.
9. A Pre-Shoot Walk-Through: Finalizing the Details
A few hours before the on-site shooting begins, do one last walk-through of the entire property. This is your chance to catch anything you may have missed. Check for misplaced items, adjust any crooked picture frames, and give all glass surfaces a final wipe-down. This is also a good time to do a final check on lighting, ensuring all bulbs are working and blinds are open. This final check is crucial for a smooth and efficient video production.
Learn more: Real Estate drone videos can make all the difference!
10. Stay Out of the Way and Let the Experts Work
When the videographer and their camera gear arrive, it’s time to step back and let them work their magic. Be available to answer any questions, but avoid hovering. Let them navigate the space, capture the wide shots, and create the stunning detail shots that will make your video truly shine. Once the filming is complete, the videographer will handle the file organization and post-production, leaving you with a final product that will impress buyers and help you sell your property.
By following these 10 steps, you’ll be well on your way to a flawless real estate video shoot. This preparation is a valuable investment that will help you achieve the best possible result and make your property stand out in the competitive Colorado real estate market. Give Licocci Films a call at (847) 732-8274.