Welcome to a new feature on The Phoenix Real Estate Guy — “The Streets of Phoenix”. Regular readers here will know that I’ve failed miserably in the past at having a “Weekly Feature”. I’ve learned my lesson. Streets of Phoenix will be published on a wildly random basis depending on factors such as time, motivation and planet alignment.
The plan, which will likely morph over time, is to produce short video clips of various and sundry things in and around the Phoenix metro area. Most will be real estate related, some not-so-much. You won’t find professional quality cinematography here. Nor will you find professional actors or voice-overs. You’ll find me, and occasionally Francy (who appears to have an aversion to being caught on video…). Just a couple of real estate agents driving the streets of Phoenix and bringing a piece of that back to you.
Leisure World: An active adult community where amenities abound!
Our inaugural episode features a little bit of Leisure World in Mesa. Leisure World as an active adult community (55+) that offers an amazing litany of amenities. It’s gated and guarded, so unless you know someone living there (or you have a listing in Leisure World) you can’t just drive around for a look.
So we present you with this video clip:
From a pure production standpoint (not to mention entertainment) the video is too long. But it’s meant to be more educational than entertaining and I think (for a first video ever), that is does that — though it could certainly be better. My editing and cinematography skills are basically nonexistent. But they’ll get better too, I assure you.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Patrick Mahony 08.23.08 at 10:23 pm
Bravo!
I just toured Leisure World two weeks ago. Your 5 minutes was way better than my 50 minutes.
I see dash cams in your future.
Justin McHood 08.23.08 at 10:35 pm
Quote of the video: “…Technically, we’re not supposed to film here, but let’s see what we can get away with!”
Dennis - Eugene Homes 08.24.08 at 2:11 am
Good job filming Leisure World, and Youtube is great for getting these ranked. Most of all though I smiled when you said it was 109 degrees. I sold homes in Vegas for years and now I am on the Oregon Coast. I think in Florence today it was a balmy 68 degrees, the blackberries are ripe and after I left the beach with my dog my wife and I filled a bucket with nice juicy ripe blackberries.
I miss the desert sometimes, but after 23 years of it I sure do enjoy the climate here. Oh, and the real estate market here is doing much better than my old stomping grounds.
I hope you’re doing great in Phoenix though.
Flat Fee MLS 08.24.08 at 3:48 am
Excellent, welll done on the editing. Liesure World looks pretty nice, I’m from Chicago so anything with palm trees always looks nice. Looking forward to the next one.
Kris Berg 08.24.08 at 6:35 am
Great job, Jay. This is officially the next idea I will be “borrowing” from you.
Candace Robinson 08.24.08 at 10:15 am
Leisure World is a wonderful hidden treasure for 55+ community in the East Valley! Great job on the video coverage. I did this with my flip video on a few neighborhoods and it was so cool. I think your ‘Streets of Phoenix’ will be a big hit! Keep it going, I’ll will be looking forward to it!
C Richey 08.24.08 at 12:51 pm
What software did you to use for editing?
Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy 08.24.08 at 1:35 pm
Thanks folks. It was actually fun to do. They should, one would think, get better with experience.
Charles - I shot it with a FlipCam and edited with Windows Movie Maker that came with the PC.
C Richey 08.24.08 at 2:14 pm
When I am more mobile I’m going to shoot some more video. I like the Flip, its easy to use and the video quality is decent. Not bad effects for Windows Movie Maker either. How long did it take you to put it all to gether?
John Wake 08.24.08 at 5:21 pm
Well done!
What’s-his-name’s blog was just talking about how people shop for homes in the real world. He said people start out by driving around the neighborhood and talking to people. This video does that virtually.
You might want to give your contact information more often for those people who discover the video via YouTube and who aren’t on your website.
Matt In Scottsdale 08.24.08 at 5:45 pm
“You might want to give your contact information more often for those people who discover the video via YouTube and who aren’t on your website.”
And the ‘IDEA OF THE DAY’ award goes to: John Wake!
Overall though, nice job Jay! Especially since you are a virgin at making your own video ‘virtual tours’.
Matt Pellerin
C Richey 08.25.08 at 12:42 am
Perhaps like they do on the cable news shows. Have it in the bottom of the frame each time you are on camera.
Michael Reilly 08.25.08 at 6:33 am
Dude, your like a one man google street view! All you need is the camera mounted on top of your car and alternate website of the funny and embarrassing photos that crop up. Seriously, Austin has been street viewed by google and we are using it to show out of towners what an area looks like.
Jaco 08.25.08 at 9:27 am
Great job.
I have been wanting to do this for some time now. I just didn’t know how to put it together, now I know. You are a real leader in the real estate world.
Jennifer in Louisville 08.25.08 at 10:27 am
Looks like fun and I thought you did an excellent job - especially if this was your first attempt. And since its a gated community, this really can provide a “real” perspective of the area. I think it should be a big hit with consumers - though I do agree with you, shortening it up a little bit probably would be a good thing.
Brett Tousley 08.25.08 at 11:48 am
I thought that was a really useful video, especially considering it is a gate community.
The video also allows the viewer to get a better idea of what you are like in the real world and helps turn you into a “real person”. I’m off to google “flip cam”.
Gregory Bain 08.25.08 at 7:18 pm
Nice Job, Jay! I have dabbled a little with video, too. It is a learn as you go process that’s for sure. If you get a chance check this one out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhrFrAtlWjM
Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy 08.25.08 at 9:46 pm
I like the idea of a little additional contact info (though I try to avoid being too “salesy” — it’s just not me).
@Greg - nicely done!