OK, a much more polished virtual open house example

16 years ago

Earlier this week, I answered a question about how to help sell a home (marketing and such). I gave an example of a virtual open house -- because these days, 25% of home owners look on the internet first before going actual open houses and such.

So anyway, I send a quick example of what they could do for free to create a virtual open house presentation. Well, I had a little time and a created a more polished one that I thought you guys would appreciate.

Note that I did it in one setting (so it was easy and fast enough), I used free software (Qlipbord.com) so it didn't cost me anything. I put it up on YouTube.com -- there are places that let you put up video and presentations for free, like Youtube.cm.

And now I can embed this video on blogs, add links to websites, put it up on such websites as Realtor.com (for a price of course) and put a link of flyers and postcards and such so others can see my house 24/7 without making an appointmnt and if they are SERIOUS about coming to see my home, it has all the information to call me.

I think FSBO or any homeowners with realtors should take matters into their own hands and promote and market their homes to make sure they get interested people looking.

Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFlV1esZc-c

[now imagine this with music in the background] Didn't have good soft music to play with it, so that's why the absence of sound.

Here is a link that might be useful: Polished Virtual Open House (without sound)

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Comments (13)

rosalindmw
Original Author
16 years ago
Forgive me old mic -- it makes the music sound kind of choppy.

Here is a link that might be useful: Virtual Open House with Sound
User
16 years ago
There needs to be a link that isn't all photo based. I have watched this three times. Text is tiny fuzzy print.

I saw 3200 square feet flash past on the first page but have no idea of how many bedrooms or bathrooms, room sizes, lot size, age of the roof and furnace or anything else.

I wouldn't come see your house from that. Stop trying to be fancy. A virtual tour is a side thing, not the only thing.
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sparksals
16 years ago
rosalind - that is really neat! What a great outside-the-box way to market your home.

Is this done with photos? Some of them seemed blurry and I don't know if it's the photo or the program you used. The fonts with the descriptions of each room are also difficult to read. Maybe try an easier to read font? It seemed too bolded and squished together.

I'm not a fan music either. I tend to turn my volume down whenever something like this has music. That could just be my personal preference.

I'm still impressed with the idea. Done right, it could be an excellent way to market your home.
rosalindmw
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks guys. Gammyt, darlin' I wasn't actually showing my house . . . I was giving an example of what I did for a friend with free software. It's a quick job and I did not spend a lot of time on it, I just wanted people to know that they can create something without spending $50-$299 or whatever that the services out there are charging.

Basically, what I did was use some pictures from webpages (not actual high quality pictures I took myself of an actual house). Then I quickly typed up some descriptions just to show you what can be done (if I was actually selling a house I would make the type much bigger). I would also make the music much clearer. This was just an example of what an EVERDAY person can do in about 30 minutes.

I used this free software called Qlipboard (can get it at Qlipboard.com) to do it and then put it on Youtube to store it. Just to show that anyone can do this reasonably. I'm sure all you realize that a person that is ACTUALLY selling their house would take great time with this, making sure the phone number is clear, the stats are clear, the sound is clear . . . everything just right.

Again, this was done in about 30 minutes tops. And just to show how fast and easy one can do it. Nothing more.
When I did it for my girlfriend it came out much nicer of course because we spent a lot of time on it getting it JUST RIGHT . . . we also used better quality shots.

Oh well, just trying to help people with free and easy ideas to selling their house. Worked for us, thought it could work for someone else too.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Blog
sparksals
16 years ago
Ummm - I see you are also being paid for posting videos on the internet. Here I thought you were genuinely trying to help people here, but from your blog link, it seems this is a money making thing for you. I think the mods would consider this to be spam.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link on Rosalind's Blog
rosalindmw
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for visiting my blog. On it I lists possible ways to make money on the internet. However, I am not registered with that service. If you notice, all the video examples I have send anyone on this blog to has been to YOUTUBE. Youtube, does not pay anyone for videos placed on their servers.

For the link YOU placed on here title "Link on Rosalind's Blog" you must register and put a video on THAT system. Which clearly my videos are NOT. So no, I'm not making money of anyone here.

Wow, I'm sorry that my pointing out something that can help people makes me immediately a villain in your eyes. I didn't realize that my having a blog makes me suspect to the general public when trying to share helpful tips here.

Let me be the first to apologize if I have in any way stepped on anyone's toes. Please know that I'm not making any money while here trying to help you.
theroselvr
16 years ago
I'm not a fan music either. I tend to turn my volume down whenever something like this has music. That could just be my personal preference.

I don't even use speakers or a head set. I like my computer time to be quiet time; especially after a long summer of having my daughter home lol

Basically, what I did was use some pictures from webpages (not actual high quality pictures I took myself of an actual house).

I hope you didn't use pictures from someone you don't know. When I saw that you'd used sparksals photos off of her agents site my 1st thoughts were that I wondered if you worried about possible copyright issues? While the photos are online, how would her agent feel about you grabbing them without asking?

Again, this was done in about 30 minutes tops. And just to show how fast and easy one can do it. Nothing more.
When I did it for my girlfriend it came out much nicer of course because we spent a lot of time on it getting it JUST RIGHT . . . we also used better quality shots.

I've seen you mention the one you did for her, and if it's so much better then what you've posted, why haven't you posted it? That's the one I want to see.

Wow, I'm sorry that my pointing out something that can help people makes me immediately a villain in your eyes. I didn't realize that my having a blog makes me suspect to the general public when trying to share helpful tips here.

I've wondered if you were making money or were in some way associated with the site you mention. I really haven't seen you post anything but almost the same comment, which it looks like you've copied and pasted then threw in a few words. I just searched, out of all of the posts you've made here, 2 did not contain a link to the video program or your money making blog. You've been a member of GW since 2003 but from what I see you've only just started posting (doing a search of all of GW for your name) and it was to post about the program. So yeah, it kind of looks like you do.

This forum has had a lot of spam lately and posters are getting creative in how they are mentioning it so that it doesn't look like spam.
rosalindmw
Original Author
16 years ago
First, I want to thank for telling me about the spamming that's been going on lately. The atmosphere in this these discussion groups have really changed over the years and I was really feeling that this was a hostile environment compared to the helpful environment I enjoy in 2003 and 2004 when I was very active in this boards.

Yes, I've been on the board since 2003 -- mostly on the BUILDING forum. However, I haven't been around for a few months, so that's why you haven't seen many comments when you searched I guess.

You wrote: I've seen you mention the one you did for her, and if it's so much better then what you've posted, why haven't you posted it? That's the one I want to see.

MY ANSWER: I know, I would love to show you hers but it's not on my computer and I don't have access to hers right now, and I was trying to show you guys an example right now.

You wrote about copyright infringement: that's a concern only if I'm making MONEY off said pictures. I am not, I used it as a helpful example to a small group of people (this forum), no one else is directed to it. (Example -- no posting on OTHER public forums about the video), so it shouldn't be a problem.

And yes, most of the time while I'm on this board and others, I'm a lurker. I like to intake information. For the first time really, I had something to share and was eager to share it. But I see that it's better to stay a lurker. Makes people happier all around. Oh well, you live, you learn.
sparksals
16 years ago
I looked at the video again when I saw that Rose referred to photos from my listing. I didn't see my photos taken by me with MY camera and provided to my realtor on Rosalind's video. Rose, did you see my photos elsewhere on Rosalind's blog or was that a typo? If so, I have a HUGE problem with that and I demand rosalind remove them immediately. If it was a typo, you can ignore this demand. I will wait for an answer before I complain to the mods of gardenweb and the website to which my photos were posted (if they were).

Rosalind, if they are indeed my photos, YES, it IS a problem. You should not be copying random photos without permission.
theroselvr
16 years ago
Yes, I've been on the board since 2003 -- mostly on the BUILDING forum. However, I haven't been around for a few months, so that's why you haven't seen many comments when you searched I guess.

I've been using this name since 2001 and have over 600 posts. For you who has been here since 2003, you only have 12 matches, but none before 2007. You joined & didn't post from what I see.

Why not email your friend to get a copy of her video? You made it and speak so highly about it, you should be showing that because it's polished.

I can go to my computer forum and ask the techies there what they think of the software and what else would the recommend. They would know and would come up with something different. I can almost guarantee it.

You wrote about copyright infringement: that's a concern only if I'm making MONEY off said pictures. I am not, I used it as a helpful example to a small group of people (this forum), no one else is directed to it. (Example -- no posting on OTHER public forums about the video), so it shouldn't be a problem.

Actually not the case from what I've seen when someone has taken a picture without the owner's permission. It is my understanding that you are not allowed to reproduce them period without consent.

Using sparksals again, if someone looking for a house found the video you posted, they could think her agent did it and if it is not up to par with the advertising they do, could cost them a sale. So posting something that has not been polished, especially if associated with someone or an agency may bite you. I'd be upset if someone did it to me.

I understand that you're trying to help, and probably didn't convey that with my last post. While help is appreciated, showing your finished product from when you helped your friend may have sold someone on actually trying the product. I wasn't impressed with the last one as it takes too long to go to the next picture. I give you credit for trying and maybe I'll post to my computer forum for software advice to see what I can come up with.
berniek
16 years ago
To be honest, when I saw the "virtual tour" I thought it sucks. But why discourage a FSBO? Good luck in whatever you are trying to accomplish.
rosalindmw
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks berniek for your kind words of encouragement. Sparksals don't worry about your pictures, I see that my help was not wanted and it's very clear that my "good intentions" were not taken well by this forum.

I'm very sorry I interfered. All references to sparksals and pictures are taken down. I'm sorry my attendance here caused such problems.

I will not interfere again.

Thank you all for your time. And good luck to you all in your endeavors. I truly did not mean to cause such a ruckus.
sparksals
16 years ago
Rose - Where were my photos posted? On rosalind's blog? I didn't see them in the YouTube Video.

OK, a much more polished virtual open house example

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