Live Streaming for Real Estate Agents: Lights, Camera, Sold!

Oct 21, 2024 | Market Mastery, Technology & Tools

Alright, real estate agents, let’s talk about the latest tool in your marketing arsenal: live streaming. If you’re thinking, “Wait, live streaming? Isn’t that what kids do while playing video games?” — you’re not wrong. But here’s the thing: live streaming isn’t just for gamers and YouTube influencers anymore. It’s for you too, and it might just be the secret sauce you’ve been missing to sell homes faster than you can say, “Location, location, location.”

Imagine this: you’re showing a house, but instead of just a few people physically walking through the door, you have dozens of potential buyers tuning in from their couches, coffee shops, or possibly even their bathtubs (no judgment here). That’s the power of live streaming, and today we’re diving into how you, the savvy real estate agent, can make the most of it. Lights, camera, sold!

Step 1: Why Live Streaming? (Or, “Do I Really Have to Do This?”)

Short answer: yes. Long answer: absolutely, because live streaming opens doors to an audience far bigger than your Saturday afternoon open house ever could. Here’s why:

  • Wider Reach: You’re no longer limited to people who can physically visit the property. Your audience can be anyone with a Wi-Fi connection—meaning you can reach out-of-town buyers, busy parents, or even the occasional nosy neighbor.
  • Engagement in Real-Time: Instead of a pre-recorded, perfectly edited video where potential buyers just sit and watch, live streaming allows for real-time interaction. They can ask you questions like, “How’s the neighborhood?” or “Is that a leaky faucet?” and you can answer them immediately. It’s like an open house Q&A session, but with fewer awkward small talk moments.
  • Cost-Effective: All you need is a smartphone and a decent internet connection. No fancy equipment required, unless you really want to go full Steven Spielberg.

The best part? You don’t need a massive following to start. Even if only a few people show up to your first live stream, you’re creating content that can be shared and viewed later. So, if your initial viewers don’t bite, someone else might.

Step 2: Choose Your Platform (Yes, TikTok Is a Thing Now)

Alright, you’re convinced. But where should you go live? There’s a smorgasbord of platforms to choose from, and the right one depends on where your target audience hangs out. Let’s break it down:

  • Facebook Live: The OG of live streaming. Great for agents who already have a following on Facebook, and let’s face it, your clients (and their parents) are probably still here. Plus, you can save the video on your profile for later viewing.
  • Instagram Live: Perfect for showing off that Insta-worthy house. If your clientele skews younger or more visual, Instagram is where you want to be. It’s easy to go live, and the platform encourages spontaneous engagement.
  • YouTube Live: If you want to go a bit more professional, YouTube is a great option. Plus, it’s owned by Google, so your live streams have a better chance of showing up in search results. Bonus!
  • TikTok: Wait, what? Yes, TikTok! If your audience includes millennials or Gen Z buyers, consider giving TikTok a go. The platform’s short, snappy video style is perfect for showing off homes in a creative, fun way.

Pick your platform based on where your potential buyers are likely to be scrolling. And remember, you can always experiment and see which platform gets the best response.

Live Streaming Strategies

Step 3: Prep Like a Pro (Because “Winging It” Only Works for Birds)

Just because it’s live doesn’t mean you can go in unprepared. If you’ve ever seen a live stream go off the rails, you know things can get weird fast. So, before you hit the “Go Live” button, take some time to plan. Here’s your checklist:

  1. Pick the Right Property: Not every house is suited for live streaming. Choose homes that look great on camera, have interesting features to show off, or are in high demand.
  2. Check Your Tech: No one wants to watch a grainy, glitchy stream with spotty audio. Make sure your phone is fully charged, your internet connection is strong, and your audio is clear. Consider getting a tripod to avoid shaky hands.
  3. Walk Through the Property First: Know the layout, the lighting, and where you might run into trouble. You don’t want to discover a squeaky floorboard or questionable bathroom decor while live in front of potential buyers.
  4. Prepare Talking Points: Have a script or at least a rough outline of what you want to say. This will help keep you on track and prevent those “uhhh” moments when you forget the square footage of the kitchen.
  5. Schedule Your Live Stream: Let people know ahead of time when and where you’ll be going live. Post about it on your social media, send out emails, and remind people on the day of.

And please, for the love of all things real estate, remember to clean up before you go live. No one wants to see a house with dirty dishes in the sink or dog toys scattered across the floor.

Step 4: Lights, Camera, Engagement! (It’s Show Time)

You’re live! Now what? Here’s how to keep things moving and, more importantly, keep people watching:

  • Start with an Intro: Begin by introducing yourself and the property. Make it friendly and engaging—no one wants to feel like they’re tuning into a hostage negotiation. “Hey everyone, welcome to this beautiful 3-bedroom in the heart of [Neighborhood]. You’re going to love the kitchen—stick around to see that!”
  • Give the Grand Tour: Show off the key features of the property. Walk through each room, pointing out interesting details, and be sure to spend extra time on the big selling points like a newly renovated kitchen or a backyard with a pool. Pro tip: avoid lingering too long in areas like hallways or the laundry room. People get it—those are not the showstoppers.
  • Keep It Conversational: Engage with your viewers. Ask them questions, answer their questions, and respond to comments in real-time. If someone asks about local schools or nearby coffee shops, give them the scoop. The more interactive your stream, the better.
  • Wrap It Up Like a Pro: After you’ve walked through the property and answered questions, end with a strong call to action. Let viewers know how they can contact you for more information or schedule an in-person visit. Don’t forget to thank them for watching.

Step 5: Repurpose Like a Genius (Why Stop at One?)

Here’s the beauty of live streaming: once it’s over, it’s not really over. You can save the live stream and repurpose it into other content. Post clips on your social media, create a YouTube playlist of past live tours, or embed the video in a blog post about the property.

You can even pull highlights from the live stream and use them in future marketing materials. After all, why put all that effort into a live tour if you can’t milk it for everything it’s worth?

Conclusion: Go Live and Thrive

Live streaming is more than just a fun way to engage with potential buyers—it’s an essential tool for today’s real estate agents. It lets you reach a broader audience, interact with people in real time, and showcase properties in a dynamic, engaging way. And the best part? You don’t need a Hollywood production budget to make it work.

So grab your phone, practice your best “this is the kitchen” line, and get ready to go live. With a little practice (and maybe some extra caffeine), you’ll be a live streaming pro in no time.

Lights, camera, action… and most importantly, sold!

Demo Podcast of this Article

Using NotebookLM, we uploaded this article for a few reasons, but one was to test how it would handle this article and see if the article was shareable. Listen for yourself. 100% credit to NotebookLM as this is not only amazing, but a little scary. How might you be able to use this technology to improve your lead generation?

Scott Gentry

Written by Scott Gentry

October 21, 2024

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