MEDIA RELEASE – Crowdsourced video platform Vloggi solves physical-distancing problem for Aussie real estate sector
· Properties now viewable without physical inspections
· Agents and property owners can quickly shoot and upload videos onsite
· Professional templates designed specifically for real estate
· Platform automatically compiles clips into professional-looking individual video stories
SYDNEY, Friday August 21, 2020 Australian video platform Vloggi has emerged as a key solution to the problems facing Australia’s real estate sector due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Born out of another location-oriented sector, travel, Vloggi has seen a growing number of businesses and individuals using the platform since COVID-19 restrictions began in March.
The real estate sector has been especially affected, with open houses, inspections and auctions all restricted under lockdown rules. Those in Victoria now being brought to a standstill by stage 4 coronavirus health restrictions.
Agents are also affected by low stock levels caused by uncertainty. This has led to more off-market campaigns requiring video tours to small networks of interested buyers.
The Vloggi platform is an all-in-one video crowdsourcing and production platform that creates branded video compilations from multiple shots uploaded from mobile phones.
Agents and private sellers have already embraced video walkthroughs to market their apartments and houses in NSW and now there is growing interest in Victoria.
“Without open houses or inspections, it’s like being invisible. Video could solve that,†said Allan Dowdell, branch manager at Max Brown Real Estate in Montrose, Victoria.
Without open houses or inspections, it’s like being invisible. Video could solve that
Allan Dowdell, Max Brown Real Estate Montrose.
Max Brown (Montrose) is working to develop a collection of professional videos showcasing its various properties throughout the Melbourne suburb, which it hopes will allow it to maintain buyer interest.
“Previously we’ve seen video as too expensive, difficult or both, but now see an opportunity to harness its potential to retain and even expand engagement during this challenging time,†Dowdell added.
Steve Ahmadi, principal of independent digital agency Pocket Listings said: “In an industry where personal contact and physical experiences are key, COVID-19 has really put the brakes on our business.
“Vloggi allows our agents to create quality, authentic video walkthroughs showcasing each of our properties which we’re now able to share with an even wider audienceâ€.
Vloggi allows our agents to create quality, authentic video walkthroughs showcasing each of our properties which we’re now able to share with an even wider audience.
Steve Ahmadi, Pocket Listings
Vloggi has also granted free access to its award-winning platform for all real estate agents and private vendors in Australia.
Vloggi founder and CEO Justin Wastnage explained the company wanted to extend the technology to real estate agents working remotely with no access to videographers or photographers, who still needed to showcase their stock.
“Video is the next best thing to being there for prospective buyers or renters. What we offer is a simple tool that allows agency principals to collate video clips from their agents and quickly produce walkthrough videos, with captions, location and contact details automatically added,†Wastnage said.
“We wanted to offer a lifeline to agents to keep properties being viewed by buyers.â€
The Vloggi platform offers a choice of over 30 automated video templates, meaning video producers are not required to edit the walkthroughs. These now include four designed specifically for the real estate sector. Vloggi is offering free access and half-price template design for affected real estate agents until October.
Private property sellers will also be granted free access to Vloggi until October to ensure they’re able to better market their homes and maintain buyer interest during the pandemic. Thanks to recent changes to the major real estate listing sites, videos are now accepted.
“I was able to make a quick video walkthrough of my apartment in Lindfield and post it on Domain within minutes. It was genius!†said Sydney private seller, Minna Monaghan.
COVID-19 has not only strengthened the broader case for video as a tool for marketing and driving brand awareness, but also helped assert its role in helping businesses that rely on human contact and communications maintain their operations, said Wastnage, adding:
“The real estate sector is now under severe strain and we hope agencies and private sellers in the state seize this opportunity to partner with one of Australia’s leading tech startups to develop innovative ways to engage with buyers.â€
About Vloggi
Founded in 2018, Sydney tech startup Vloggi is the world’s first collaborative video production platform using AI to process, sort and annotate user-generated video for use by businesses and social groups. It is a registered trademark of parent company, tech investment vehicle Ciné Souk, founded in 2017.
Late last year it was named Australia’s best startup at StartCon, the premier awards event and conference for digital innovation. The company was founded by Justin Wastnage, a former director of the Tourism & Transport Forum, and founder of the Flight TV aviation video channel. Wastnage started his career with interactive digital television pioneer Static 2358 (later PlayJam) before creating video content for Microsoft. Vloggi employs six staff, and is based out of the Fishburners coworking space within the Sydney Startup Hub.
