3 Ways to Use Video Chat in Real Estate

Do you Skype, FaceTime or schedule Hangouts with your buyers or sellers? If you're not using these free web-based video chat services in your real estate business, you should be!

We're going to tell you three ways you can use them to improve communications and boost your marketing in just a minute, but first, here's a breakdown of three of the most popular video conferencing services:

1. Skype – By now, almost everyone has heard of Skype. It's the free way to video call anyone in the world, no matter which desktop or mobile device they use. You can also use it to send photos and files.
2. FaceTime – Make video calls from your Mac device. If both you and your client have an iPhone, iPad or Mac computer, this video calling service is built right in.
3. Google Hangouts – Initially only available as a part of Google+, Hangouts now has standalone iOS and Android apps. Hangouts is ideal for group chats involving people at multiple locations. In addition to video chatting, you can share your desktop, making it great for work meetings too.

If you or your clients don't have the time to learn new technology, you can still record video footage using the camera function in your phone. Then you can text or email that video to your clients, so they have the experience of seeing and hearing from their agent, instead of just reading a copy-only message.

3 Ways Real Estate Pros Should Use Video Chat

To meet with remote clients.

Working with clients in another county... or country? We promise that you will enjoy video chatting with them more than emailing – and so will they! It's a great way to establish rapport, answer their questions without ambiguity and conduct a little show and tell. They can meet your assistant(s), see your office and more.

To schedule personalized virtual tours.

If you have buyers with tricky schedules or who just want to see a certain part of a home again, use a video chat service to walk them through a listing remotely. It's the perfect personalized virtual tour. You can zoom in on the features they care about and address their specific concerns.

To collect (and share) testimonials.

Video recording features on your smartphone or tablet are an easy way to capture client testimonials. With this on-the-go capability, you don't have to coordinate a complicated shoot or put too much pressure on your buyers or sellers. Just press record, ask them what they liked about buying or selling a house with you, and you're on your way! Sharing these little snippets on your agent website and social media channels is a breeze.

How do you use video chatting services in your real estate business?

To view the original article, visit the Point2Agent blog.