Why use a Zillow Select Photographer?
Zillow is the leading real estate data service online. In the past consumers had to rely on real estate agents, who have access to the local MLS sites, to find properties that were on the market. But since 2004, Zillow has made it easy for consumers to search for real estate. According to propertymanagement.com, 80% of homes that are on the market are viewed on Zillow and Trulia. (Trulia is owned by Zillow). And 420 million (yes, million) homes are viewed on Zillow monthly. Because buyers (and renters) are searching Zillow to make a buying decision, as a real estate agent you NEED your listings to show up at the top of Zillow searches for your area.
How to get your listings to show up on Zillow Searches?
Understanding the algorithm Zillow uses is important to getting your listings seen first by buyers and renters. The algorithm is the way Zillow’s search engine determines which properties are going to be shown at the top of the list. According to our Zillow Specialist business rep at Zillow, the primary thing that the Zillow algorithm is looking for is a video of your properties. This makes total sense because by 2019 internet video traffic will account for 80% of all consumer internet traffic. People are drawn to video and Zillow knows that, so they are putting the listings with video at the top of the search results.
What does this mean for you as an agent? Do you have to pay for a fully produced video with music, pyrotechnics and the works?
The quick answer is no, you don’t. That’s where the beauty of working with a Zillow Select Photography company comes in.
What is a Zillow Select Photographer?
A few years ago, Zillow initiated a program for professional real estate photographers to provide more services to agents and have their work quality checked by Zillow. This is the Zillow Certified Photography program. The Zillow Certified Photographer has levels of certifications and achievements. The entry-level to this program is the Zillow Preferred Photographer but as a photography company has more and more listings on Zillow, they can increase in certifications, eventually achieving the highest level and becoming a Zillow Select Photography company. This level of certification means that Zillow endorses the company’s quality and expertise. Being part of this program also unlocks several features that photographers can use to assist agents in marketing their listings.
Two important features that are unlocked through the Zillow Certified Photography program is the Zillow Video Walkthroughs and the Zillow 3D Home tours.
Zillow Walkthrough Videos
As stated before, Zillow’s algorithm is looking for listings with videos to promote to the top of the search results. Zillow has made it easier for professional real estate photography companies to produce quality video walkthroughs without having to use expensive equipment. Agents that are working with a Zillow Select Photography company benefit because these savings get passed onto them. It’s important to note that these videos are simple.
They are not to any music and do not include any branding. But another perk of working with a Zillow Select Photography company is that they can upload highly produced, branded videos directly to Zillow for each listing.
Zillow 3D Home Tours
The other amazing feature that is unlocked is called the Zillow 3D Home tour. This is available to agents working with a Zillow Select Photography company. Unlike the walkthrough videos, the 3D Home tours require professional equipment. Zillow Select Photographers use a camera called a Theta V to scan the whole property straight to the Zillow platform. Zillow then connects all those scan points together and makes a fully immersive 3D tour experience. This is something that the Zillow algorithm really likes. A buyer or renter can take a virtual journey through the property giving them a sense of being there in person. This can significantly increase the potential of them making a decision before they even see the property in person. (See an example of the Zillow 3D Home tour at the end of this article)
The great thing is that the Zillow Walkthrough video and the Zillow 3D Home tour are usually a simple add-on to your normal photography package. And compared to doing a highly produced, branded videos and a 3D Matterport scan they offer huge savings.
The main con is that you can only use the Zillow video and 3D tour on Zillow which limits the reach of your video because you can’t post it to the MLS or to social media.
Where to find a Zillow Select Photographer?
If you’re in Atlanta, then look no further. You have found one! We would love to be part of your team and help you sell more listings faster. (We make it simple; Book Online Here) But if you are not in the Metro Atlanta area, Zillow makes it easy for you to connect with Zillow Select Photography. You can visit the Zillow Certified Photography link here and get in contact with a Zillow Select Photographer near you.
