Video Technology helps sell Simi Valley Real Estate

Video Technology helps sell Simi Valley Real Estate

(April 2, 2009 Pasadena California)  Simi Valley local real estate agent Ted Mackel with Keller Wiliams Realty presented on full motion video home tours and video blogging in real estate at the Los Angeles Real Estate Barcamp.  Attended by approximately 300 real estate agents, mortgage brokers and real estate related service providers, Mackel  gave a 50 minute presentation on the future of real estate marketing.  David Gibbons – Community relations director for Zillow.com was at the event and was commentating on Mackel’s presentation live over Twitter:

The conference was streamed live over the internet at www.dakno.tv/live and was continually pushed via the Twitter stream from attendees and those watching the streaming video.

Real Estate Barcamp, known as RE Barcamp among the up and coming stars of the real estate industry, is loaded with talented early adopters of technology.  The RE Barcamp format breaks all rules where competitors in the industry get together and exchange ideas on how to improve business, reach more people and better serve the areas they work.  

Mackel has been working with internet video for over a year to help sell homes and create viral content to promote Simi Valley to those who plan to relocate here.  When asked why Mackel is so passionate about this topic he explained.  “78 percent of internet traffic is watching video.  The average time watching internet video is 3.5 minutes. Google’s Youtube just went over 100 million viewers.  3.5 minutes is perfect for a full motion video listing tour.”  When asked why the real estate industry is slow to catch on to new technology, Mackel was quick to respond.  “Most of my competitors have a hard time using email efficiently, they are resistant to text and mobile communication; just are set in their ways.  The internet, website design and mobile communication is light years ahead what most companies are aware of;  I have to stay in touch with the people at groups like RE Barcamp so I can give my clients the best service possible”.  Mackel continued, “CNN, ESPN and many other traditional media powerhouses have embraced new technology especially on the mobile level.  Sites like Facebook are being over-run by the 30s, 40s and 50s crowd and bringing even the novice computer users into the high tech communication age. I can go on and on with how grandparents are staying in touch with their grandchildren via free online video services like Skype and a myriad of other tools, but you might need to give me a whole page in the paper to do it.  The fact is that technology is changing and improving exponentially, it’s becoming portable, mobile and consumers of all ages have embraced these developments long before my industry even reacts.”

Mackel further explained “video for real estate applications still has a long way to go.  The learning curve, the tools and the computer skills to produce video is still a significant barrier.  My whole industry has developed for Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Active X.  The video production software on the PC side is still cumbersome and not as user friendly as on the Apple Mac side.  Because most real estate agents are so comfortable using Windows and Internet Explorer and confined to the platform due to industry software requirements; they will be locked out of the tools afforded by Apple Mac’s OSX.  The option of hiring a professional to produce a video tour is still cost prohibitive for the average property.  Most agents have a hard time putting together enough photos for a traditional Virtual Slideshow.  I will continue to blaze a trail in this area and provide this service to my clients whether their home is entry level or high end, I’ve come up with a formula that works.  In the mean time I am going to strengthen my relationships in the real estate tech industry so I can continue to improve”.

When asked what value can be gained from video use in real estate; Mackel Responded: “Number one, people can see my video blogs and video commentary and see if I am for real.  I have a ton of knowledge in real estate and what a better way to share that knowledge with people looking for help.  Number two,  my video listing tours, use of viral medial solutions and adoption of a mobile media marketing plan gives me new and better opportunities to promote my client’s properties.  The statistics support my ideas, I am taking advantage.”

You can find Ted at www.homebuysblog.com, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter as @RealtorTed