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Social Media and New Technology for Real Estate Marketing

January 9th, 2012

Without even realizing it, technological advances have unleashed massive changes in the way realtors are both showing and promoting homes.

Within a few days of its release, a 30-something couple had their tablet PC with them when their agent showed them a home that had a kitchen they loved. They pulled out their tablet and took some video of the kitchen. They proceeded to record each of the homes they previewed. That evening they posted what they shot on Facebook so their friends and family could see what they had been doing that day. Instantly they starting getting feedback, comments and suggestions and, fortunately, their agent was in their Facebook network and was able to join in the conversation as friends and family members posted their thoughts.

The next day the couple made a post on Facebook, thanking everyone who had made suggestions and comments. They said they greatly valued the input they received and had decided to make on offer on the home with the great kitchen. They then called their agent to write up the offer. They told their agent they felt a lot more confident moving ahead because both of their parents thought they were doing the right thing. They also loved keeping their network current on what they were up too.

A new era of real estate has been born! For lack of better terminology, I have decided to call it “Social Showing.” It might not be for everyone, but today the Facebook generation loves getting everyone involved as well as getting comments, suggestions and feedback, especially for major purchases like appliances, cars and homes. You had better get used to it, because it is going viral and it’s going fast. The smart agents are headed to the electronics store today, and they are suggesting that their clients shoot video of the homes at each showing. The agents then post the video on YouTube and send the clients a link and also ask the clients to post the video on their Facebook page. This gives them two ways to get feedback from the people they know.

The tablet was designed from the ground up to shoot video and post it on the web. It is so easy that even the most tech-phobic agents can do it. This is going to move video marketing of homes into the mainstream faster than agents can image. Want to promote your broker open house? Take a quick video of the food you are serving so agents can see what to expect when they arrive there. Record a video update on what is happening in the market and post on Twitter, Facebook and your web site. » Read more: Social Media and New Technology for Real Estate Marketing

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Posted in Marketing

Tags: Marketing smart agents

5 Common Mistakes 3D Architectural Visualisation Artists Should Avoid

January 9th, 2012

It amazes me how many good 3D architectural visualisation artists are out there who continue to make very basic mistakes in their artwork. Without much more technical ability a few pointers would turn their artwork into works of art! Here are the most common mistakes to avoid.

1. Using low resolution texture maps that do not tile seamlessly and that show repetition of the tile. It is cheap and easy to buy or even create texture maps these days so dump the old maps and sort out a strong materials library. Make sure to use bump and displacement to avoid flat lifeless textures. There are also numerous fairly new material effects such as sub surface scattering which should be implemented when required.

2. Modelling the landscape with less effort than the buildings. The site is so important if you are striving for photo realism. In fact in many situations more effort should be put into the landscape than the building as it runs right up close the camera in the foreground. Think about the foreground / mid-ground / distant-ground and back-ground and apply the detail as necessary.

3. Poor 3d architectural visualisation composition. Any good architectural photographer will tell you that it is as much about composition of shot as it is about subject or light. Architectural shots, both interior and exterior should generally be taken with the vertical walls of the building running parallel to the sides of the shot. This is a rule of thumb only and does not apply to more abstract shots or when dealing with exceptionally tall buildings.

4. Colour balance and colour mapping. Analyse your image carefully by looking at the balance of tones. If there is an unnatural looking green tint from the image make the necessary adjustments. If your dark areas are too dark play with your gamma settings. In 3D architectural visualisation you should try to make these adjustments within your render engine and make tweaks later in photoshop. » Read more: 5 Common Mistakes 3D Architectural Visualisation Artists Should Avoid