Short videos put neighborhoods in the spotlight
A 23-second listing video shows how agents can combine home features, neighborhood favorites and creative editing to reach more potential buyers.
A great listing video can show off a beautiful kitchen, spacious backyard and all the little details buyers love. But what about the coffee shop down the street or the neighborhood hangout everyone knows?
Those deserve some screen time, too.
California Realtor® Krys Benyamein recently created a 23-second Instagram video highlighting both a San Diego home and its surrounding neighborhood. The result? Nearly 10,000 views, 35 saves, 20 shares and 22 comments.
And all it took was a smartphone, a little planning and some creative editing.
According to an Oct. 10 Inman article by Benyamein, the video uses a popular social media technique called a whip transition, which connects scenes through quick camera movements.
Give the neighborhood a starring role
The video starts outside the listing, moves to a recognizable neighborhood sign, visits a local ice cream shop and returns to the home for a playful look inside.
Want to try it? Here's the game plan:
- Start outside the listing so viewers immediately recognize the property.
- Feature a local landmark and a few neighborhood favorites that give the community its personality.
- Use quick camera movements and playful reactions to keep viewers watching.
- Finish with attractive footage highlighting the home's best features.
- Tag featured businesses and invite neighborhood social media pages to collaborate.
Benyamein used a neighborhood Instagram account to help introduce the listing to people beyond his existing followers. Local businesses can also share the video, potentially bringing even more eyes to the property.
There's no need for fancy editing software, either. Apps such as Instagram Edits and CapCut can connect clips by hiding cuts within the quick camera movements.
As Benyamein puts it, "You don't have to reinvent your marketing strategy every time you get a new listing. Sometimes you just need a new way to tell the story."
And sometimes, that story extends well beyond the front door.
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