We began 2009 with an anticipation of change. Does it feel like we are back to the same old things? After the enjoyment of the holidays, we are seeing sparks of hope and optimism that the rough patches of 2008 are behind us. Many of us have ambitious plans to making real changes. Following through on resolutions is helping us achieve success in the New Year.

Is the New Year keeping up with your expectations? Changes are happening. The Bank of Canada’s deep interest rate cuts will stimulate credit flow, having a positive impact on the economic outlook for 2009. The federal government’s tax-free savings account will help save money. We have yet to see what impact the upcoming stimulus package will have. The hope US President Barack Obama has been calling for seems to be materializing all around us, for Canadians at least.

We have found this to be a good time to align with our goals. We are working hard to help encourage positive growth by making sure we set attainable goals. We are remaining disciplined while visualizing accomplishing them and making sure we have a plan for setbacks. We are entering the Chinese Year of the Ox, which embodies the spirit of steady persevering patience, while inspiring confidence in others. This is a great time to set plans to plough through for long term growth. We can all accomplish whatever we like, whenever we choose.

Progress is steadily happening. A theme of realizing new resolutions seems to be echoing across the world. What positive steps are you taking? How are you modifying your behaviours to be more in line with what’s happening in the world? Will developing habits that are more mindful of our surroundings and present in the moment help us move forward with our objectives?

We have been recently asked by some of our clients to develop a video tour that is distinctly different than our standard Video Openhouse Home Tour. Essentially, the video becomes an extension of the Realtors’ existing brand, conveying to the general public that they have a different approach to marketing homes. Here are 3 examples:

Ian Watt (www.ianwatt.ca), Macdonald Realty:
Brava: PH4 – 1199 Seymour Street

Jim Noonan (www.jimnoonan.net), Macdonald Realty:
Kensington: 50 – 1386 Nicola Street

Kasha Riddle (www.riddle-realestate.com), Riddle Real Estate:
6587 Nelson Avenue

You will notice that all 3 videos are more upbeat and faster-paced than our standard Video Openhouse Tour. Users of the Internet are extremely impatient and want information quickly. We have found that most viewers will not watch videos longer than 2 minutes and want to see the highlights of any property as quickly as possible. In all 3 cases, many details of each property are left out but in every case the video is concise and keeps the viewers attention.

Both Ian Watt and Jim Noonan appear in their respective videos. Ian Watt is more prominently featured as he talks about the highlights of the suite. Jim Noonan is shown but usually as a cameo, having appeared on a deck, reading a paper or looking out a window in past videos. Again, it is an opportunity to let the general public become more familiar with the Realtor.

Ian Watt and Jim Noonan also have custom music that will not appear in any other videos on the Video Openhouse website. Their songs are much more upbeat and and much less in the “elevator music” style. The music is a reflection of their respective clientelle and does a great job capturing and holding the viewers attention.

In Zygmund and Kasha Riddle’s videos, they prepare their script for us first, before we shoot the property. The script becomes the outline for the content of the video. The voice-over further emphasizes the highlights of each property.

Having a Video Openhouse Tour produced? Want to become more involved in the process? Talk to us about your ideas and how we may be able to implement them in to your videos. We work with you to ensure the best video tours possible.