Why Your Real Estate Videos Aren’t Getting Views And How to Fix It
For years, agents were told: “Your marketing isn’t to sell this listing — it’s to win the next one.” And that was mostly true. Video used to be more about signalling professionalism to future vendors than influencing buyers. But that’s no longer the world you’re operating in.
Buyers in 2025 rely on video more than ever. They scroll listings on their phones at night. They compare suburbs on TikTok. They judge liveability, layout, space, and flow through your video long before they ever book an open home.
Today, video isn’t just a branding tool. It directly affects enquiry, buyer engagement, and how your current listing performs. So when your videos underperform, the impact is immediate and measurable.
Here’s why it happens—and the simple fixes that lift your next video instantly.
1. You’re not capturing attention fast enough
In the first 3–5 seconds, buyers decide whether to keep watching or scroll away. If your video opens with a slow drone rise, a long establishing shot, a logo animation, or a quiet clip with no context, you’ve lost them before the video even starts.
How to fix this:
Lead with impact. Use hooks like:
“Here’s what $900k actually buys you in [insert area name].”
“A perfect first-home option minutes from shops, parks, and transport.”
“This layout gives families two genuine living zones.”
Buyers follow clarity and confidence. Give them a reason to stay.
2. Your videos are built for desktop, but buyers watch on mobile
Most real estate videos are still produced like traditional walk-throughs:
Horizontal only
Slow pacing
Long shots
No on-screen text
Dependent on sound
But buyers watch:
Vertically
With sound off
In short bursts
On social feeds first, portals second
When the video format doesn’t match viewing behaviour, performance drops.
How to fix this:
Always produce a mobile-first version:
9:16 vertical
20–45 seconds
Quick cuts
On-screen text calling out key features
Clear hook upfront
This is the version that drives real engagement.
3. You’re showing the home, but not telling the story
A room-by-room walk-through isn’t enough anymore. Buyers want context, meaning, and an understanding of how the home lives. Videos underperform when they only show features rather than lifestyle.
How to fix this:
Add narrative cues:
“Families will appreciate having two living areas.”
“Downsizers love how low-maintenance this section is.”
“First-home buyers will enjoy being walking distance to the village.”
A clear story turns a video from forgettable to compelling.
4. You’re not showing up, and that weakens your authority
NZ buyers and vendors value trust. They want to see the person behind the listing. When you avoid being in the video, the content feels generic and you miss a major opportunity to strengthen your brand.
How to fix this:
Even 5–10 seconds of agent presence helps. Try:
A quick intro
Commentary on a key feature
A neighbourhood insight
“Let me show you why this one stands out”
Small moments build big confidence.
5. The technical quality is dragging you down
Buyers might not articulate it, but they feel it when something looks “off”:
Overexposed windows
Shaky footage
Dark rooms
Noisy audio
Flat colour
Lifeless pacing
Technical weakness lowers engagement quickly.
How to fix this:
Focus on:
Smooth movement
Clean, even lighting
Balanced exposure
Natural colour
Tight editing
Clear audio if you speak
You don’t need Hollywood production—just consistency.
6. You’re uploading the video, but not distributing it
A video on Trade Me alone isn’t enough. Buyers and prospective vendors are everywhere.
How to fix this:
Distribute across:
Trade Me
Instagram Reels
Facebook Reels
TikTok (short teaser)
LinkedIn
Email to your buyer database
Vendor reporting
Your website or YouTube
One video becomes multiple touchpoints.
7. The video isn’t speaking to the right buyer
Hedging your bets may feel like the safe approach, but a generic “everyone will like this” video appeals to no one. Different buyers want different things, and when the message doesn’t match buyer intent, engagement drops.
How to fix this:
Call out the buyer directly:
“Perfect for first-home buyers…”
“A great option for downsizers…”
“Investors will appreciate the location and rental appeal…”
Clarity cuts through noise.
Real Estate Video Performance Checklist
If you hit these points consistently, your video views won’t just rise—your enquiries, your brand presence, and your vendor confidence will rise with them.
Strong hook in the first 3–5 seconds
Vertical and horizontal versions
Quick pacing
On-screen text
Lifestyle-focused message
Clear buyer targeting
You on camera (even briefly)
Clean lighting, exposure, colour
Smooth movement
Distributed across all key platforms
For years, video was about winning the next listing. Today, it helps sell the one you’re working on and wins the next one at the same time. Buyers expect it. Vendors judge you by it. And with a few small shifts in how you structure your videos, you can turn every listing into a marketing asset that works harder for your business.
FAQ: Real Estate Video Performance
1. Why do real estate videos get low views?
Low views usually come from a weak hook, slow pacing, or videos that aren’t built for mobile. Buyers decide in the first few seconds whether to keep watching.
2. How long should a real estate listing video be?
20–45 seconds for social. 60–90 seconds for portals. Match the format to where buyers are watching.
3. Should agents appear on camera in their videos?
Yes. A short 5–10 second appearance builds trust and authority.
4. Are vertical videos better than horizontal for real estate?
Vertical is best for social. Horizontal still works on portals. You need both.
5. What’s the biggest mistake agents make in property videos?
They show the home but don’t speak to a specific buyer. Without a story, viewers scroll past.
6. How can I get more engagement on my real estate videos?
Start with a strong hook, add text, tighten the edit, include a short agent appearance, and distribute across every major platform.
