By Robert Urban, FSBO Enthusiast, Expert at Blurry Pictures and Thumb Pics, but Knows That Good Quality Videos Sell Homes
So, you’ve gone FSBO-For Sale By Owner. Bold move, Maverick. I think that is a brilliant move. You’re out here skipping the agent, dodging the commission, and wearing “I Got This” energy like a badge of honor.
But here’s the deal: today’s buyers aren’t just driving around aimlessly looking for “For Sale” signs while eating boiled peanuts out of a paper bag. No. They’re online. They’re clicking. They’re swiping. And they expect to see a home-not read three lines of text and stare at one grainy photo of a ceiling fan that looks like it came from a Craigslist mystery box. They want the real stuff, not their imagination.
They want a virtual tour.
Yes, I said video. I know-coming from a guy who once took a listing photo where my thumb had more square footage than the living room. But trust me, I’ve learned a few things. And I’m here to help you shoot a walk-through that makes your place look like HGTV rolled in and did a little digital magic.
Why Virtual Tours Matter (a.k.a. The Lazy Buyer’s Paradise)
Virtual tours are not a luxury anymore-they’re an expectation. And not just because of the pandemic or remote buyers. It’s because we’ve all been trained by DoorDash and Amazon Prime. People want to preview everything without moving their actual bodies.
A good virtual tour means:
- More eyeballs on your listing
- More serious buyers
- Fewer surprise “I thought it looked bigger in the photos” comments where everyone’s time is wasted.
- And possibly, more money in your pocket
So yeah, it’s worth doing right.
Step 1: Clean Like Your Mother-In-Law is Coming Over
Before you even touch the record button, clean your house. And not just tidy. I mean deep clean. Scrub like a realtor is bringing buyers with blacklights and judgment.
Declutter everything. Counters? Bare. Closets? Neatly organized or slammed shut and sealed with prayer. That random gnome statue? Hide it. I’m not saying don’t have personality—I’m just saying don’t have crime scene energy in your video.
Step 2: Gear Up-But Don’t Mortgage the House Again
You don’t need a Spielberg-level production team. You just need a smartphone with a decent camera and a little patience.
Here’s your basic gear checklist:
- Smartphone with stabilization (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or that Android your nephew made fun of-if it shoots in HD, you’re good)
- Tripod or gimbal (no one wants a Blair Witch home tour- very often these are cheap enough to buy, but you can borrow from a friend or rent if needed. Some of the most modern smart phones have built in stability recording that outdoes the best movie productions from only a few years ago.
- Wide-angle lens attachment (cheap, magical, and makes your bathroom look 4x bigger)
- Natural lighting (throw open those curtains like you’re revealing a surprise guest on Oprah)
Bonus: if you want to really shine, snag a clip-on mic for narration and stop sounding like you’re yelling from inside a sock drawer.
Step 3: Map It Out Like You’re Planning a Heist
Before you record, walk the route. Think like a buyer. What’s the flow? Where would you want to go if you were virtually casing the joint?
A basic plan:
- Front of the house
- Entryway
- Main living areas
- Kitchen (make it sparkle-this sells homes! 65 percent of buyers surveyed said that this is the make or break room to consider if a house is even an option)
- Bedrooms
- Bathrooms
- Outdoor space
Pro Tip: Don’t record while giving your dog a treat or yelling at your kids to stop jumping on the couch. Wait for peace and quiet. Or bribe everyone with snacks.
Step 4: Shoot in One Take (Or Fake It Like a Pro)
Try to shoot your tour in one smooth take. But if you can’t, no worries-you can stitch together clips using free apps like InShot, iMovie, or CapCut.
Keep it slow and steady. Pause slightly in each room. Let the viewer soak it in.
And for the love of all things real estate—turn the phone sideways. This is not TikTok. This is the Oscars of your real estate and the house s the star.
Step 5: Narrate Like You’re Bob Ross with a Mortgage
Now, this is optional-but narrating your tour adds charm and helps viewers connect.
Keep it light, helpful, and human:
“Here’s the living room-it gets great light in the morning, and yes, the couch is negotiable if you fall in love with it.”
“We just updated the kitchen last year. The appliances are all stainless steel-except the microwave. That’s more of a brushed chrome if we’re being honest.”
Be real. Be friendly. You don’t need a velvet voice—just authenticity.
Step 6: Upload Like a Boss
Once your masterpiece is done, you’ve got options:
- YouTube – Easiest for sharing and embedding and sharing the link.
- Facebook & Instagram – Great for local visibility. Don’t underestimate the power of Aunt Brenda sharing your tour with “the nice couple from church.”
- HOYONOW.com –Embed that tour front and center. HOYONOW.com helps with all the steps in the FSBO process and the platform allows for you to showcase your home.
Name the video clearly:
“Virtual Tour – 4BR/3BA Home in DeLand, FL – FSBO”
Don’t call it “FINALFINALFINALREELforRealsThisTime.mp4.”
Bonus Tips from a Recovering Thumb-in-the-Shot Veteran
- Walk slowly. No one wants to get motion sickness while house hunting.
- Don’t film mirrors head-on unless you want to appear mid-tour in your boxers.
- If a toilet seat is up—just burn it all down and start over.
- Remember to smile when narrating. You can hear it in your voice.
Final Thoughts: Virtual Tours Sell Homes-Even If You’re Not Spielberg
You don’t need a drone, a dolly track, or Morgan Freeman to narrate. You just need effort, honesty, and a clear shot that doesn’t look like it was filmed during an earthquake.
As someone who’s accidentally uploaded a 30-second video of just my foot while trying to film a kitchen, I’m telling you—it gets easier. And when the offers start rolling in because buyers feel like they’ve already walked through your home, it’s worth every take.
You’re FSBO. You’re fearless. And now you’re a filmmaker too. Look at you go.
Lights. Camera. Close that deal.
Robert Urban