FAQs

Hopefully your questions will be answered here, but if not feel free to call Amy at 978-460-2963 to get any further information.

  Are your Video Tours in HD?

   Yes, the Video Tours are now filmed in HD. When choosing a virtual tour provider, make sure the tour is filmed in HD and not Standard Def then cut down to HD size (16:9) for viewing - often called "HD format".

  What is the turnaround time?

      My goal is to have photos to you the next day and have Virtual Tours posted within two days. 

  Do I have to upload the tour to the MLS?      

     No, Hearth & Home Videos is an approved provider for the MLS and for Realtor.com and handles uploading the tours directly to them. You don't have to do anything!

  Can I use the Virtual Tour on my own realtor web page?

      Yes, I can provide you with a URL address that you can easily link to from a  phrase or photo on your own web page.

  Do I need to be onsite during the filming?

          You should be onsite during the filming.  There have been times when the realtor has had to leave during the filming but this is handled case by case and someone (such as the seller) always has to be onsite.

 How much time do I need to allocate?

          For Photos allow about a half hour. A full Video Tour filming will take about an hour, but allow an hour and a half for a very large house.

 How many rooms and exteriors do you do?

          Two exteriors are included in the price of a Video Tour. There is not a limit on rooms, though price may be affected (See Pricing).  Keep in mind that a Virtual Tour should not be so long that it starts losing viewers by the end.

 How long is a typical Video Virtual Tour?

          Typically, the Video Virtual Tours run about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes.  Some may be shorter or longer depending on the size of the house.

 Who does the editing of the film?

          The videographer does the filming and also the editing, which makes for good continuity.  It also makes it easy to handle situations such as if you’re undecided on whether to include a room or not.  The videographer can shoot it and see how it comes across on video and then make a final decision.  Our goal is to make your listing look as appealing as possible. 

 Can my Video Tour include narration?

        Yes, narration can be added to the video tour.  Currently there is no extra charge for this feature. The client is responsible for writing a script and emailing it to us. Length should be about 120-130 words per minute of video.  The average video tour of an 8 room house is about two minutes.  The narration does not have to be non-stop - some pauses during it are fine.

 Can my tour be on Realtor.com?

          Yes, I am an approved Virtual Tour Provider for Realtor.com as well as the MLS.  If you are a Showcase customer there is no charge from Realtor.com to post a Virtual Tour.  If you are not a Showcase Member and you want your tour on their site, then Realtor.com charges a $20.00 posting fee which I will collect from you with no markup. 

 Who hosts the tour once it's done?         

     Your Virtual Tour is hosted on Hearth & Home Video’s server.  

What geographic area do you cover?

          Hearth & Home Video operates in the MetroWest area of Massachusetts, and also covers the Rte. 128 area from Lexington down to Needham.  Providing services to a small area makes flexibility and speed in scheduling possible.

 What kind of equipment do you use?

          An HD digital video camera with a wide angle lens is used, as well as professional lighting.

 Can Still Photos for the listing be done also?

         Yes, Still Photos can be done.  A digital SLR camera with a wide angle lens is used. See the  Pricing page for cost. You can also check out the Photo Samples page. Up to 25 final photos will be put on a gallery style web page you can view and download them from (simple instructions are provided). This page stays online for about a month, so be sure to download your photos to your own computer for your use.

 Can you reshoot a view if the season or decor changes?

          Yes, I can come back and reshoot the exterior if the season has changed or a room if improvements have been made (such as a kitchen update or wallpaper removal). The video will be re-edited to integrate the new footage.  There is a $25.00 fee for this to cover travel, shooting and editing time.

 Do you coordinate with any other added feature providers like Floor Plans?

           I can coordinate with YourPlans Floor Plans to have both a video tour and a floor plan done in one visit. There is a combined discount rate if both are scheduled together over having each done separately - see Pricing page.

What do we offer?