Yes, it’s true. We have another community member adding video comments on Trulia Voices. A couple of months ago, Patrick Mahony was the first real estate agent to post a video comment to Trulia Voices. On Monday, Judy, a home buyer from South Dakota, asked a foreclosure question on Voices about a property located at 2525 Marie St in Simi Valley, California. Ted Mackel, a real estate agent from Simi Valley, answered via a video comment. He became the second real estate agent ever to do so on Voices.
Yesterday, he added a second follow up video comment, with even more detail, on the same question. How great is that?
Are video comments the wave of the future? Well, that may be pushing it a bit. But they sure do add another level of interaction between home buyers, home sellers and agents. In fact, it’s another way for an agent to differentiate themselves from their peers. Sometimes it’s not what you say but how you say it that matters. Text has a funny way of getting misinterpreted. However, in addition to showcasing your local knowledge, video has the potential to show your personality to someone thousands of miles away. For some people, it can be the difference between choosing agent A versus agent B.
Will we ever get home buyers and home sellers asking us their real estate questions on video? Hmmmm? Now that would be really interesting……
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May 28th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Ted is leading edge in my community with technology. He volunteers on Board committees that dedicate time to bringing more tech into our region. So,I wasnt surprised to see that he is only the second video blogger on Trulia. He also posts on youtube and he does video for his clients listings.
One thing I really admire about Ted is that he never feels like sharing his knowledge is going to “cost him” an opportunity. He does his business and knows that his own fine efforts and skills pay off for him.
May 29th, 2008 at 5:09 am
I think video comments are very cool for those of us who play in the online sandbox regularly.
However, if you are trying to get a reaction from potential homebuyers and the general public then it probably is overkill and could scare them away.
I would recommend that for sites that aim at the general public going simpler is the best way now.
May 29th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Hi Bonnie! - Welcome to Trulia Blog. I love the way Ted has addressed Judy’s questions with specificity and professionalism. His follow up video comment was fantastic as well. It’s great that Ted is leading by example - good deeds often come back to us in spades.
Hi Tom! - I agree that for those of us in the real estate space who are experimenting with new technology, video and video commenting is a cool thing to try. And it is certainly not for everyone. However, as a consumer, I would be really impressed if a real estate agent took the time to create a video comment for me. Especially if the information that the agent provide me addressed my specific question - as Ted has done. That extra effort would really make them a a serious candidate to represent my real estate needs.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Video comments are the way to go!!!!!! This avenue ads a personal touch..
May 29th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Maybe for some people its better to skip the video, and just go for audio blogs. Some people are better heard than seen….
May 29th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
June 1st, 2008 at 9:52 am
Hi Tracey - I agree, video ads personal touch to comments.
Hi Logan - You’re right, video is not for everyone.
June 1st, 2008 at 9:57 am