The 5 Best Mobile Apps for Real Estate Videos

If a picture paints a thousand words, the value of video must be through the roof. For busy real estate agents on the go, capturing, editing and uploading video directly from tablets or smartphones isn't just a great idea, it’s a must. Video not only instantly relays images and information — such as listings or agent videos with testimonials — it captivates and engages viewers like no other media.

Here are the five best mobile apps for creating, editing and sharing real estate videos.

Viddy (iOS)

If you use Instagram, you already have a good idea how to use Viddy, which enables you to shoot 30-second videos, edit them with filters and effects, and then share your videos with several social media networks. The interface is pretty simple: Within the app, press and hold to record video. When a video is called up on your screen, swipe back and forth to move the scene forward or backward. You can apply effects and filters by simply tapping screen icons. If you registered with Viddy using your Twitter or Facebook account, the app will automatically link that account. To “like” your video, viewers simply double-tap it.

Animoto (iOS and Android)

Animoto is a very popular video creation app, as it offers a quick and easy way to use photos from your phone to create high quality, dynamic slideshows. In the app, simply tap to select the photos you want to include in your video, select the style of your background and transition types, and then select the license-free music you want to use (you can also use music from your phone, but be careful of copyright issues). Once you make your selections, simply tap the icon to produce the video. For ideas about using this app for your business, view some real estate examples on the Animoto website.

iMovie (iOS)

iMovie is Apple’s native video editor with touch support. You can add previously shot video by dragging and dropping them from your library onto the timeline. Then use the on-screen tools to split the clips, add music, add titles and transitions, and apply themes. A neat feature of iMovie is the ability to have a split screen. For example, you can show a property walkthrough on one side of the screen and on the other, show yourself giving commentary. Or use the split screen feature to compare before and after videos, or show a just-sold listing on one side of the screen and the satisfied seller testifying on the other side.

Blux Movie (iOS)

Blux Movie is a companion app to the Blux photo editor app. On Blux Movie, simple on-screen taps enable you to record, pause and resume recording, select a split-screen option, apply a filter, change the music and other editing tasks. Zooming in and out is a simple hold-and-swipe gesture. One particularly innovative feature of Blux Movie is the ability to create your own filters by selecting colors, contrast, brightness and other settings that you adjust to your heart’s content. You have to record with Blux to be able to edit with Blux Movie, but you can use Blux with the iMovie app to do more elaborate editing.

Videolicious (iOS)

Videolicious is one of the easiest apps out there to quickly make videos. It uses a three-step process that first has you select the clips you want in your video, then record a voiceover, and finally select some background music. The stand-out feature in this app is that Videolicious automatically edits your video — it trims the footage and layers it on top of your voiceover, mixes the audio, animates the photos and adds transitions — and then publishes it. You don’t have to know anything about video editing to use Videolicious, and there are several built-in templates to choose from that you can adapt to show listings, just-solds, testimonials or agent videos.

Nothing makes a subject come alive like seeing it on screen. Mobile apps make it easier than ever for you to create dynamic, engaging and professional-looking videos that can resonate with buyers and sellers — and you can do it all on your smartphone or tablet. It’s easy and low cost, or free, to bring prospects and clients into the moment with you, whether you’re walking through a listing, showcasing your expertise or offering client testimonials. Take a look at your app store, find the best mobile app for your needs and start shooting!