The New york Times posted an excellent article yesterday covering the increasing use of podcasts and video tours for real estate sellers in Europe and Asia. Although the article was targeted at these two regions, the content is actually relevant on a global level, covering the benefits of using these emerging mediums for agents and sellers en masse.

Here are a few excerpts from the article which I wanted to share with you all:

"The popularity of Apple’s iPod and other digital media players now has consumers comfortable with the idea of carrying their favorite audio — and, more recently, video — selections wherever they go. At the same time, the growth of Web sites like YouTube and of Internet podcasts of radio, television and online content has made uploading and downloading files routine for many people.

Real estate professionals say it is only natural that those selling and buying property — an activity that places a premium on obtaining and distributing information — are making use of new ways to reach out."

"And in many markets, agents and private sellers are offering video tours of properties for sale or rent, helping potential buyers and tenants to narrow down which homes they want to visit, to get a good idea of the housing stock in remote locations and even to share images with family or friends who cannot view the places in person."

“There are so many rental properties available that you have to use something interesting to stand out a little bit,” he said. “The video, it stays in people’s minds.”

Mark Jones, of Staffordshire, in central England, was so impressed with a video on Countryside International’s Web site two years ago that he bought a vacation home in Orlando, Fla., through the international real estate agency without ever visiting the place.

Soon afterward, he set up his own Web-based business to help fellow Florida homeowners rent their properties, and he plans to start posting podcasts."

As you can see, the bulk of the information delivered within the article is highly pertinent right here in the US at this particular point in time, as many agents and sellers are just beginning to get their virtual feet wet with video and podcasting now.

These tools have most certainly 'come of age', and the results that we're seeing with the agents and sellers we work with have most certainly been impressive. As a real estate professional, you now have a number of highly accessible mediums at your disposal which can clearly help to get your word out 'exponentially'. In fact, there's never been a better time to claim your terrain and grab the spotlight by using internet media, whether you're from Europe, Asia, or right here in the good 'ol US of A!

Technorati: real estate, podcasting, video, real estate marketing, real estate podcasting, real estate video, realtors, property tours, virtual tours, agentcasts, real estate trends, real estate news