Over the last year, video is slowly but surely stealing the cutting edge virtual tours held on the online listings market. Now more than ever, video is prepped and ready to roll out - more internet users are utilizing higher bandwidth connections like cable and DSL making streaming video quicker to load and watch, video production costs are dropping drastically with an explosion of production companies entering the scene, and well... video is what the next gen wants and expects. Bernice Ross wrote an excellent piece on Inman news entitled "Tap into Gen X, Gen Y goldmine" explaining this generation switch.

But really, what is the appeal?

To examine this is to recognize the differences between a virtual tour and video. A virtual tour is a series of still photos set in a flash presentation or similar, oftentimes to music. Sure, some of the photos appear to "move", but really that is just fancy software panning across a still photo or zooming in or out - hardly animation.

Virtual tours, although a FAR better presentation technique than a series of photos on a website, still make it difficult to completely capture the essence of a space in a property. Even stitched photos, a great way to see 360 degree views within a home, aren't perfect.

Video, on the other hand, is undeniable. Yes, video can be edited and modified just like photos, but it's probably the closest thing one can get to physically experiencing a property first hand online. However, as much as video production costs have dropped, virtual tours still hold the market based on simple economics and companies like RealBiz360 produce excellent quality virtual tours - a great bang for your buck.

So I ask - has video arrived or are virtual tours still the tried and true? Which do you use?

There is a paradigm shift in Online Classifieds. For the remainder of 2008 and 2009, online classifieds will be doing more with your listings' interior and exterior descriptions. The narratives are keyword-rich with meaty phrases such as "Remodeled Kitchen", "Oversized Cabinets" "Large Lot".

For online classifieds that implement natural language as a part of search (a text box for users to type in keywords or phrases) will extend the online search experience from just drop boxes and checkboxes that solicit fixed values like: number of bedrooms, number of baths, sq footage, etc.

Above is an example of natural language search implemented at Roost.com. Interestingly enough, Roost provides consumers an easy to use search specific to a city and state. Within search results, users can refine and reduce a result set (maybe a 1000 listings for example) to a small set (maybe 30-50 listings) based on keywords they enter such as "Pool", "Hardwood Floors" and "Open Floor Plan".

I've gone into greater detail at GeekEstateBlog on the importance of being mindful of your listings interior and exterior descriptions. Syndication partners of your MLS or agent website are and will be doing more with these descriptions to enhance their respective consumer search experiences.

Recently Inman News posted an article, Craigslist HTML limits could doom flashy listings, explaining that the online classified service, craigslist.com, is deciding whether to limit HTML content posted to classified listings. Many RE Professionals utilize craigslist.com as an additional method to reach consumers to post their own listings and advertise their brokerage companies since craigslist.com offers free postings, and maintains separate domains to reach users within specific locales.

These individual listings easily fall within the realm of Single-Property Websites, as they are individual web-pages advertising a single property. Currently, there are no limits on HTML, which makes craigslist.com ideal candidates for cut-and-paste of HTML generated code from single-property syndication sites such as VFlyer.com and AgencyLogic.com. Limiting HTML tags, depending on which HTML tags are restricted, could make direct cut-and-paste from these sites nearly impossible without significant insight on how HTML works and modifications to the code prior to creating a posting. Craigslist.com sites problems with malicious ads unwittingly taking users to commercial sites, as well as unnecessary clutter within search results as reasons for the potential limitations.

Today, I would like to hear back from you, our readers, on your thoughts on this potential decision.

Should craigslist.com limit HTML tags, or is there another way?

At the completion of course materials for the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ certification, candidates adhere to (initial) the REW Commitment Document. As REW Certificants, one must implement a real estate technology within their first year to remain in good standing with their certification status.

Technologies implemented by REW Certificants

Within their first year, REW certificants commit to implementing or administering at least 1 web-centric, real estate technology - whether for themselves (agents, brokers) or for their clients (assistants). Certificants provide proof of implementing or adminstering a technology via the Technology Proof Form.

So what technologies have REW Certificants implemented...let's have a look!

• Gary Crutcher, REW™ - Gary implemented an agent website of http://www.GaryCrutcher.com; sleek design and homepage graphic that captures the essence and culture of west El Paso.
  
• Kathy Goldman, REW™ - Kathy implemented http://www.7225riverfrontdrive.com, a single-property website on behalf of her agent, Lucy Bottorff in Nashville Tennessee.
  
• Sandra Sims, REW™ - Sandra, a virtual assistant, implemented a Point2 agent website as a hands-on, optional activity, showcased at http://sandrasims4.point2agent.com/. In crafting a Point2 agent website from the ground-up, Sandra can now provide longterm administrative support for real estate professionals who use Point2!
  
• Tim Fisher, REW™ - Tim, with ResortQuestDE.com, has been busy implementing technology since completing the REW Certification. As Marketing Director, he supports technologies used by member agents in his firm. He created a Single-Property Website at http://www.1322oceanparkway.com and Corporate Blog to support ocean-side luxury rentals and homesales at www.seamoresays.com, in addition to many of the virtual tours found alongside listings at ResortQuestDE.com.
  
• Darlene Wills, REW™ - Darlene, REALTOR® and broker co-owner of Harris-Wills Realty, LLC, has implemented http://www.real-estate-southwest.com to service northern Arizona, specifically the Sedona - Verde Valley region. This broker-owner site was established using Point2 technologies, Webographers.com newest technology partner/sponsor of the REW Certification.