How to Prepare a Property for a Real Estate Video Shoot

Set the filming route and priorities

Walk through the property with the listing plan in mind. Identify the rooms and features that explain its layout and character. Give the videographer a short priority list rather than expecting every corner to receive equal screen time.

Check the views between rooms. Moving a distracting object out of one photograph may simply place it in the next video shot. Choose a holding area for cleaning materials, bags and other items that should stay off camera.

Prepare visible surfaces and lighting

Clean windows and mirrors, clear counters and straighten soft furnishings. Check visible bulbs and decide how window coverings should be positioned. The right balance depends on the room, daylight and the intended look, so leave final lighting choices to the shoot plan.

Turn off avoidable noise when recording an agent introduction. Appliances, ventilation and activity outside the room can interfere with dialogue even when they are not visible.

• Remove personal documents and identifying items from view.
• Check reflections in mirrors, glazing and appliances.
• Stage balconies, entrances and other included outdoor areas.
• Keep pets and non-participating occupants away from filming areas.
• Make keys, access instructions and an on-site contact available.

Coordinate access before the appointment

Confirm which areas may be filmed, including building amenities and shared spaces. Arrange any required access with the relevant property or building contact. Do not assume a lobby, roof or neighbouring property is available simply because it appears in the listing photographs.

Leave practical time for parking, equipment movement and building access. If drone coverage is being considered, discuss the address and feasibility in advance and prepare a ground-based alternative.

Keep presentation accurate

The video should help a buyer understand the actual property. Review room labels, the route through the space and any statements made by the agent. Avoid edits that imply adjacent rooms or views where that relationship does not exist.

If the film includes a staged or illustrative element, discuss how it will be represented clearly. Ask the responsible listing professional to approve factual descriptions before publication.

Match delivery to the listing launch

Confirm the publication date and required review window. Request landscape and vertical versions only where they serve a real placement, and flag any agent introduction or caption needs before filming.

At handover, check names, contact information and the property address. Keep the approved export easy to distinguish from review versions so the launch team publishes the intended file.