How to Film a Luxury Real Estate Listing
When creating a piece of content, I believe it's essential to consider why it should exist. For real estate videos, there are several potential reasons, but at the highest level of sales, the focus is often less about functionality and more about emotional connection. It's not just about the floor plan or the number of bedrooms, but about how the house feels. Is it light and bright? Can you imagine playing tennis on the edge of a cliff or waking up to a stunning sunrise every morning? This is the lens through which I approach my videos.
The key aspects I focus on are showing the viewer what they might not notice during a house viewing. In Auckland, many east coast houses face the sunrise, which means they receive beautiful light between sunrise and 10 am. I usually arrive 30 minutes before sunrise to scout out the rooms that will receive the light first and decide which area to feature first.
I capture the house using various tools. My main camera (Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro) is mounted on a gimbal, allowing for smooth gliding shots. I also use a second tripod-mounted version of the same camera to capture textures, details, or distant objects. Drones provide unique perspectives, and I use a standard DJI drone for most footage, reserving an FPV drone for specific projects that require a high-speed, maneuverable approach. Additionally, I use two tripod-mounted Canon R5 cameras capable of 8K timelapses to convey the feeling of light. I position them in areas with light and shadows to show how the light moves across the room, adding warmth to the videos.
Now, the challenging part begins – editing. This is where the magic happens, and it's a task I could never outsource. Capturing and retaining the viewer's attention is a delicate balance. If the flow is too slow, you risk losing your viewer before the end of the video; too fast, and the cuts can be jarring. In my opinion, the perfect video flows smoothly but is fast-paced enough to encourage viewers to watch again to catch details they might have missed the first time. I believe the optimal length for a real estate video is around 1.5-2 minutes.
I think many real estate videos fall short, often being an afterthought or add-on to photography. Prioritizing quality in videos is crucial because it not only sells houses but also reflects positively on your brand. It demonstrates intention and attention to detail, helping to attract potential clients looking to sell their homes.