I guess all it took was someone to bite the bullet and do it.

This morning I received an email from a friend in Australia with a youTube link to how homes are sold in Australia these days. My friend,  who knew that back in my St.Maarten days we produced full gloss story line video productions for million dollar homes – we helped him sell his for $4.2 million -, thought I would get a kick out of this approach. Frankly I love the tongue in cheek approach and apparently the real estate company in question is very successful with these videos.

My initial concern was the production cost, but upon closer examination I noticed that a lot off the footage came from major motion productions. Here is what he sent me:

Considering the somewhat conservative approach we have here towards the presentation of properties for sale I thought I give you a less exciting but more practical approach to Home Sales by Video. The storyboard is along the lines of what people look for when trying to find the perfect neighborhood.

Tips for Finding the Perfect Neighborhood

1. Make a list of all of the amenities that are close by in the neighborhood you are considering as your new residence. Keep in mind what distances and routes to each of these places are acceptable and what are not.

2. Determine what the best features of the neighborhoods are. This is especially helpful if you are deciding between a few different neighborhoods.
•    Are there parks nearby?
•    Is it scenic and visually appealing?
•    Are there quiet areas, streets, culs de sac?
•    Are the people friendly in the neighborhood?
•    Is the neighborhood clean? Yards, streets, parks?
•    Are there nice trees and foliage?
•    Do the lots have large or small yards?
•    Are there walkways and are they easily accessible?
•    Is it a safe neighborhood?
•    What are the market values of the homes in the area?
•    Are there many houses for sale?
•    How long ago was the community developed?
•    What is the average age of the people in the area?
•    Are there families with small children in the area?
•    What is the proximity to schools?
•    Are there community events or organizations?

3. Walk or bicycle around in the neighborhood. The best way to determine the cleanliness and friendliness of the neighborhood is to walk around in it and meet its residents.

4. Make sure to attend a Homeowners Association Meeting.
Community is an essential part of family, of lifestyle, and of real estate. Understanding local conditions is important when it comes to buying and selling real estate, but the neighborhood you choose can have a dramatic impact on all other aspects of your life as well.

Spring is here and people are buying again in larger numbers than in any of the previous years. If you want your home to stand out in the large inventory of what is available today, you may want to send us an email. We love to do creative video work. Maybe not as risqué as Australians, but it will draw attention.