When shooting a very small room, there are several things to remember.

First, take the photos at an angle, especially if there is a mirror in the room. It will give the room a greater feeling of depth. Second, if you

don’t have a digital camera with a wide angle lens, get one. We highly recommend The Kodak EasyShare v705.

And here is a tip I like personally. Take off the door. This is particularly helpful in very small bathrooms.

The top photo was taken with a wide angle lens with the door on. The bottom photo was taken with the door off. You can see the subtle, but important difference it makes. The room feels larger, less cramped. It takes only a few seconds to remove most doors and the sellers will be very impressed with the results.

This will not only improve the quality of the photos in your printed material, but give you more range for movement in your Real Estate Shows. Give it a try!

We get a version of this question almost every day: “Why isn’t my branding showing up on my MLS?” or “Why are my titles missing on my Real Estate Show on my MLS?”

There are over 800 MLS systems in the United States and virtually every one of them forbid you to have your personal branding on the tours you attach to listings on their search engines. Some MLS systems are more strict than others. These “strict” MLS systems require that any information that can be input by the Realtor be removed. This includes tiltes, links to outside websites, property details. They remove any possibility that you could slip in your name and telephone number.

Strict Sample

Other MLS systems simply require that the branding be removed and they trust that you will do the right thing and NOT insert personal information in the titles, headlines, and property details. We call this our “basic” MLS player. Most MLS systems accept this kind of link.

Basic Sample

Both of these links are sent to you in your linking email that is sent as confirmation the moment you create a new Real Estate Show. Each Show you create has both the basic and strict link available for use. To keep yourself from being fined, make sure you use the right one for your MLS.

Tim and Susan Fennell from Jacksonville, Florida, took our suggestion to send a Thanksgiving greeting and made it personal.

See The Show: Click Here

“We sent out the greeting and folks seemed to appreciate it,” Tim said.

They were kind enough to share a few of the email responses they received:

“Thank you so much. That was very nice of you. I certainly hope you guys have a wonderful holiday as well. Thank You, Faheem”

“Thank you so much — that was just lovely and very kind of you both to think of me. My best wishes to both of you for a happy and fun Thanksgiving Day! — JoAnn”

Here’s the one we think is the best response of all…

“Thank you for the lovely greeting! We wish you and your families a wonderful & safe Happy Thanksgiving as well! The couple across the street relocated, but haven’t sold their house yet —- I told them they should have gone with using you guys!!! C-ya. Deb”

Tim and Susan, thank you for creating a great greeting and for understanding that Real Estate is about Relationships.

Tim & Susan Fennell, Century 21 Atkins Realty, Inc.
Jacksonville, FL | 904.262.2121 | Site

Whenever we speak to groups of Realtors, we talk about the importance of using Real Estate Shows to stay in touch with friends and family. Here’s why. First, it’s just a nice thing to do. Second, it keeps you "top of mind." If you want referrals from friends and family, you need to be on their mind when the opportunity to refer arises. They will only refer you if they remember that you’re a Realtor. A consistent stream of fun Real Estate Shows about family and events will help.

Real Estate is about Relationships. It always has been. It always will be. Phil Macaronis understands this. Phill told us, "Your medium is a great way to build stronger bonds with family, friends AND clients!"

While "practicing" to use Real Estate Shows for his listings, he made the following Show. His family loved it. He’s since made several more Shows to highlight family events and sent them to friends and family via email. Each one has been met with the same response - they love it.

See The Show: Click Here

"I would like to Thank You for providing us with such a valuable tool to use in our business," Phill added. "Creating shows is extremely easy and provides me with a great tool to improve my Real Estate business and to create emotional bonds with family members and clients alike!  I’m going to create a great deal more shows for my listings, family, clients AND prospective clients to show them how I can better market their home."

Phil continued, "Without Real Estate Shows my efforts might be absolutely ordinary. Now I have an edge!  Thank You!"

Thank you for allowing us to showcase your family, Phil. And thank you for helping us spread the word about how important using Real Estate Shows to connect with family members can be.

Phil Macaronis, RE/MAX of Reading
Wyomissing, PA | 610.670.2770 | Site

"I am a new REALTOR," Tracy relates. "Matter of fact, this is my fifth month in the business. Coming from a hospitality background, I truly believe every home is a unique destination and that is the focus of my marketing. Whatever “IT" is!"

Tracy sent us one of her Shows to ask us our opinion of it. What struck us immediately about this Show was her writing. This is an empty home, so the photos are not going to do the trick alone. She tells a story and draws the viewer into the home, even without furniture… and ties in a holiday flare at the end.

See The Show: Click Here

"This new construction home is nestled in the picturesque foothills of the upstate of South Carolina. Located in an area that is upwardly mobile, this spacious 3 bedroom 2.5 bath home is the perfect place to build a new life and a family!" she wrote. "With 100% financing available, it’s just right for targeting first-time homeowners."

Tracy continued, "Personally, I love your marketing tool and labor over each and every house. This, along with your reporting capabilities, helps me deliver the results my clients are looking for! Thanks for continuing to add new functionality!"

Thank you for sending us the Show, Tracy.

Tracy Watson, EXIT Upstate Realty
Greer, South Carolina | 864.848.9788 | Site