Have suggestions for products that you’d like to see reviewed by our real estate technology expert? Email Craig Rowe.
Magisto is a video creation app for individuals and businesses.
Platform(s): Browser, IOS, Android, Windows
Ideal for: Any agent or team that wants to quickly create high-quality, marketable videos.
Top selling points
- Ease of use
- Array of templates
- Publishing options
Things to consider
As video tools like this make it easier for everyone to produce edited, branded marketing pieces, it will soon become standard practice for listing presentations, website content and social media posts. Better to get in the door early.
Full review
Every time I look at a video creation app, the production process has taken 10 steps forward.
I’m afraid the only excuse you have left for not making a listing video is that your client specifically told you, “I hate every real estate sales tool except postcards and yard signs. And get off my lawn.”
Magisto is the latest video creation software I’ve been playing around with and I must say, it finally got the “no editing” feature dialed in.
Upon open, the app asks you to select or shoot footage. If you have a few brief moments of video from your latest listing, tap those. You can add photos, too.
Themes to choose from include Business, Luxury Business, Business Overview, Portfolio, Events, Storyteller and many others.
Every time I look at a video creation app, the production process has taken 10 steps forward.
Users then select a soundtrack, which will coincide with the pace and style of the edit. Add a title, adjust the length via a slider button and “Make My Movie!”
A couple minutes of processing, depending on length, is all it takes to assemble the content.
There’s also a set 15-second length selection for Instagram, which could make a great method for teasing a coming listing.
I suppose it could be easier, but not much.
As it’s processing, you’re encouraged to add a description and hashtags that will accompany your video when shared to the Magisto community, which has a surprisingly large number of active users.
Videos can be shared to YouTube, Google+, Instagram and pretty much wherever else you want to post them.
I created a watchable, albeit pointless, video of my dog after installing the app without any help or support.
[Tweet “Magisto makes it so simple for real estate agents to make video.”]
This is a testament to a slick user interface and keen insight into what’s always created barriers to consumer-level video creation: editing.
The editing process leverages a native “artificial intelligence,” similar to how Animoto synchronizes soundtracks with user videos. When you examine the backgrounds of its founders and executives, it’s not hard to understand why it works so well.
Magisto’s in-app community could be a unique outlet to post listing videos, but it wouldn’t be targeted very well. Most of it is rather silly stuff, so you’ll be best served to create and share to your external networks.
Nevertheless, I did find it to be a suitable time-suck and to some extent, an inspiration to make more videos.
Granted, a professional videographer will always do a better job than an app. They have editing insight, lighting talents, mastery over editing software, and high-end equipment. If the listing calls for it, Magisto.
However, when it comes to just wanting to make quick, good-looking projects from your desktop or phone to improve the appeal of your listing and agency, this is the app to do it.
Have a technology product you would like to discuss? Email Craig Rowe.
