Enhanced Listings Package Costs

Hi - Can anyone tell me what the costs are to upgrade from the normal MLS listing package to the enhanced package.

Your reply would be much appreciated, apologies if this subject has been discussed. I did search and found no answers.

Cheers scon

 Could it be that you're referring to Realtor.com and their Showcase enhancement?

If so, I believe that the cost for this is calculated on an individual agent or broker basis, depending on location and volume. 

Hey Matti - Thanks for your reply, yes I was referring to Realtor.com. So a new client would need to upgrade to the enhanced/showcase package to upload video's onto Realtor.com.

Cheers, scon.

 Normally MLS' have agreements in place and share data with Realtor.com and the listing is picked up by Realtor.com, however, to have the Showcase enhancement (sort of a yellow box around the listing) the agent or the broker needs to pay for that.

Some of the benefits are they can upload a video individually of a tour or both, increased # of photo's, listing customization, statistic reports and I am sure many more benefits that I may be missing.

In the past there was a great deal of animosity from agents to Realtor.com because of what they were charging agents, not sure what the situation is currently. In the past Realtor.com was IT, nor it is probably less relevant due to the volume of other real estate sites that are out there and Google. Like it was mentioned here a while back and I believe this to be true... most people interested in buying real estate most likely will just Google a phrase like city, state, real estate and start there.

Hopefully ultimately they will look under the video tab as well or search for city, state, real estate VIDEO:)

Hey Scon,

I am not sure what the realtor cost is to upgrade as it depends on many factors. But as  provider fo video or virtual tours, you have the ability to enhance their listings if you become a virtual tour provider through realtor.com - which is what I do.

Many years ago I joined Realtor.com as a picture path provider -  a virtual tour provider. Here is a general link to get you started if you are interested:  http://imaging.homestore.com

If the Realtor has not paid to be part of their enhanced realtor program, when I go to link their virtual tour/vodep  to their listing in Realtor.com, there is a charge of $19.95  - I pass this cost onto the realtor. Their listing is now a "featured/enhanced" listing via my link and the payment of $19.95

Regarding actual video: If the realtor is a part of their enhanced program, Realtor.com will host the video at no additional charge... but most of my realtor clients do have a clue or want to be bothered with downlaoding the video I create then uploading it to Realtor.com.

If you become a picture pathprovder, you can link the WellcomeMat video which will they enhance their listing - I've always created my own custom tour template, which I think has become overkill and I may scale back to lessen my post production time in the future.

For exposure, It is really a good thing to get the video into Realtor.com. Here is a link of one of my client's listings where I created the "feature tour" but also obtained my clients log in to upload the "video" . (look for the bottoms under the photos.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1365-Sw-107-Drive_Gainesville_FL_32608_1113691041

hope this helps - some of this stuff is frustrating to figure out...

Cheers,

Aaron

Aaron/Matti - Thanks guys for all the information, links and advice, it is so much appreciated. Great to see filmakers helping each other out, this is what makes this site such a great place. Love the WMatt.

I was originally going to help my Realtors enhance their listings so that we could add video. Anymore I don't know if it is worth the time and money. I'm not so sure Realtor.com has the stronghold they once had. With so many other classified sites popping up all the time. I will probably stick to Postlets. The best way to decide whether or not you want to use Realtor.com or not is to Google your local area search terms for RE. For instance a search in my area "yakima real estate" brings up all the local webites and Trulia, Craigslist, Zillow and others way before you find Realtor.com on page 3 just below one of my videos on WellcomeMat. Not to mention that most of the local Realtors websites usually display a local IDX feed from the local MLS which has so many rules regarding video compiance that it isn't even worth it.

Hey Matti, love the new logo/thumbnail. It's like the woman is saying whooooaaaa!!!!!!!!   hey honey check out this house!

Marcus makes a good point. A local powerhouse brockerage in my area trumps Realtor.com in traffic, hands down. I've seen Realtor.com really lose thier hold on the market in the last few years. However most of my clients still "think" Realtor.com is the only place they need to be.

 Marcus, thanks... she is actually looking at a computer screen but WM doesn't allow for a rectangular images so I had to crop it out:(

Another thing you have to concern yourself with is Realtor.com's guidelines for approved video. You will find that sometimes, there is a difference between what is allow by the local MLS and what is allowed by Realtor.com. I have had videos removed without notification from Realtor.com because some of the scenes included shots that could not be seen directly from the property. (i.e. 3rd row beach property, where I included shots of the beach, but you could not actually see the beach from the property because it was 3 rows back.) The program is still a good program because it helps increase listing capture ratio's for agents. Plus, as an added feature, you can charge extra; but be careful to follow Realtor.com's approved format. Do offer this feature, along with many other specialized video marketing plans as optional services, so you don't lose an opportunity for an upsell. You will find that your profit margins are much higher when you upsell.

The best thing a videographer can do is to become THE marketing plan for agents. Here's an interview I did wiih Brian Alves at "The DV Show" where we talked about some of the additional services you can provide agents. Fred "Da Guru" Light even has a 40 min DVD on real estate video services at Brians's site. Please note, I have changed my web address from the web address given in the interview, and I don't have DVD's you can buy. If you have questions feel free to email me. When you listen to these things or watch different DVD's, there will be some techniques you may or may not like, but I learned a long time ago to take the best and leave the rest.