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Agent Highlights: This is the second in what may become a series of posts highlighting real estate agents we know who are blogging or pursuing other interesting approaches to their real estate business. Most of the posts probably will focus on FBS clients, because that’s who we know best, but we’re certainly not limiting ourselves to that, so send us a note if you’ve got an interesting approach you’d like us to highlight.


Craig Mische, an agent in Alexandria, MN, hits a lot of high notes with me. First, he loves the Minnesota lakes as much as I do. Second, he’s a hockey player, which always ranks high in my book. Third, Craig’s experimenting with lots of web 2.0 tools, including writing a blog, Twitter and video. In five of Craig’s listings, he’s trying several video styles: one with music, no voice over; a couple with voice over, even as he tromps through the deep snow; and another short video of a lake lot.

craig_mische2

A bit of unsolicited advice: more editing could be done to make some of the videos more to the point and the one of the vacant lot could have used more narration and highlights. I loved the one tromping through the snow, though, because it really shows one of the most important parts of the property, namely how the home sits in relation to the other homes in the development. Too many agents would try to hide that fact and Craig makes it crystal clear in a video. I think that’s the kind of transparency that builds trust. Very cool.

3 Comments

 
January 23, 2008
2:40 pm

Thanks Michael. You are spot on in your advice and there is a lot of room for improvement (it hurts me to watch them and listen to myself). I have been painfully aware of this with each video but in the end decided it was more important to get them up and viewable. Making them more presentable with editing and better production is on my short list of things to do this year.

Hopefully my competitors don’t read this as the videos have been an asset. Not only because they separate me from my competition but because buyers like them and are helpful in bringing them to the property, virtually and in-person. This morning, I was at a listing of mine on Lake Ida. The prospective buyer said the impetus for the showing was the video (especially the exterior video). He really liked being able to see the proximity to the lake, neighbors and especially the view from the deck rather than viewing deceiving photos that end with disappointment when seeing the property in person.

I have also been using WelcomeMat as well and they offer some powerful features. The url for my first effort is at http://www.wellcomemat.com/home/channels/alexandria/showcase/D972513145. You will see how you can skip to specific scenes/rooms. This video definitely aided in the sale. Also available from SmugMug is the ability to upload high def videos. Soon, they will allow you to embed them. A few of mine are at this link, http://craigmische.smugmug.com/gallery/4133896#241197648.

January 23, 2008
2:46 pm

Craig, it’s great to hear your customer’s response. Your approach of get them out there is exactly right. Just from the little bit I’ve done for my family and some at work, I know how hard it is to do good video. Keep up the great work!

January 23, 2008
3:13 pm

Whoops. The period got included in the url for the Wellcomemat video so the jump takes your to an error.

Here is a good link http://www.wellcomemat.com/home/channels/alexandria/showcase/D972513145

The Wellcomemat team has been very good. I haven’t used them much the past 6 months but I was one of their early users last year and even received telephone calls from 2 of the founders for my input on what they could do to improve. And, they listened!

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