Zipvo is a real estate search engine that’s dedicated to video home tours. The site is very simplistic in its approach. Type in a town or a zip code, and you’ll get videos matching your criteria. The page with the video has a basic description from the real estate agent and a link to their website. You’ll also see a list of other videos in the same area. The options for each video are “share,” “save” and “flag.”
Unfortunately the “share” option won’t let you embed the video on another site, but you can email it to your friends. Saving the video will place it under your favorites tab if you have an account. The overall concept of Zipvo is very similar to ReelProperties, but there are two main problems I have with Zipvo (aside from the inability to spread videos across websites in a viral manner):
The Search Tools Are Lacking
If I wanted to search for 4 bedroom homes in California, I wouldn’t be able to very easily. I’d need to type in the zip code for the area in which I’m looking, and click through all the search results to see the details beyond the price and the location (like square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, etc.).
Additionally, there are no search filters for your queries. It’s very difficult to achieve a circular site navigation with Zipvo’s set up. What you’re left with is a site with a bunch of videos that you can kick back and watch if you’re the type of person that likes to visit open houses on the weekend just to see how the neighbors decorate.
The Account Options Are Slanted Towards Real Estate Agents
I understand Zipvo needing to appeal largely to real estate agents, but home buyers are important as well. Once you create a Zipvo account you’ll notice that just about everything is prepped for your uploaded videos, the promotion of your widget that will show your videos (individual videos cannot be shared directly from the site, however), and the gathering of your business details to display on your profile page along with your videos.
Extending the option of two types of accounts would alleviate this, allowing home buyers to collect their favorite videos and real estate agents, and perhaps even submit requests for alerts as to incoming matches.
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May 24th, 2008 at 12:08 am
What you write about Zipvo lacking is just what a real estate agent provides through the multiple listing service.
As for linking the Zipvo videos to your own website.. this is possible even without widgets, you just need to know your software a little better. I’ve been very successful getting the Zipvo videos to show on my websites. ( I can do this without Zipvo.. but spreading out on the web creates more exposure for my clients homes, and my site give Zipvo more exposure so they can do bigger and better things in the future. )
The interface is very clean and simple to use. With more options comes more complication and the need for training. I feel it’s a very good tool for what it is!
John
May 24th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Even I speak without knowledge….
ReelProperties, that you write about isn’t even functioning. It looks like it might be good, and it might be functioning by the end of 2008.
But, thanks for writing about this subject… I might not know if ReelProperties otherwise.
John