Real Estate Listing Videos: What They Include and What They Cost

A listing video does something photos cannot: it shows how a home flows. How the entry opens to the living room, how the kitchen relates to the backyard, what the light does in the afternoon. For buyers scrolling dozens of listings, that sense of place is what earns a showing.

Our founder, Ceasare Orlando, has shot real estate listing and home videos in the Palm Springs area, where architecture, light and outdoor living are the whole selling point. This guide covers what listing videos include, what they cost, and how agents and sellers can get a better one.

What a listing video usually includes

There is no single standard, but most professional listing videos are built from the same parts.

• A smooth walkthrough of the main living spaces in the order a buyer would see them
• Detail shots: finishes, fixtures, views, architectural features
• Exterior and curb appeal, ideally in good light
• Outdoor living: pool, patio, yard, views
• Licensed music, simple titles with the address and agent branding
• A horizontal version for the MLS, your website and YouTube

Common add-ons include aerial footage, an agent introduction on camera, twilight exteriors, neighborhood b-roll, vertical cuts for Reels and TikTok, and an unbranded version for MLS rules that do not allow agent branding.

What listing videos cost

These are typical ranges from our research of published pricing guides and videographer rates in late 2026. Many of the guides online are written by companies selling AI video tools, so we weighted the ranges toward working videographers' rates. Your local market and the property will move the number.

Rush delivery often carries a surcharge; guides we reviewed commonly cited 25% to 50% on top for next-day turnaround. Ask whether a quote includes music licensing, revisions, aerials and vertical versions, because those are the usual line items.

EMP Created does not publish a flat listing video price. We quote each property, so the price matches the size of the home and what you actually need delivered.

What moves the price

Aerials

Aerial footage is powerful for properties with land, views or a notable location. Anyone flying a drone commercially in the United States needs an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate, and some areas near airports or in controlled airspace need extra authorization. Ask to see the pilot's certificate and insurance.

Agent on camera

An agent introduction adds lighting, audio and a few takes, but it builds trust and turns the listing video into a marketing piece for the agent too. If you go on camera, our guides on preparing for an on-camera interview will help.

Basic walkthrough vs full listing film

We marked the full film as our pick for homes where design is the selling point, which is most of what sells in a place like Palm Springs. For a standard listing in a fast market, a clean basic walkthrough can be the right call.

How to prepare a home for a video shoot

Video shows everything photos hide, including the stack of mail on the counter you cropped out of the stills.

1. Stage and declutter every room on the route

   A video walks through doorways, so hallways and side tables are in the shot too.

2. Turn on every light and open every blind

   Then check for mismatched bulb colors. Warm and cool bulbs in the same room look odd on camera.

3. Clear the exterior

   Cars out of the driveway, trash cans hidden, pool cleaned and covers off, outdoor furniture set.

4. Hide personal items

   Family photos, documents, medications and anything with an address or name.

5. Plan for the light

   West-facing backyards may look best late in the day. Desert homes can be harsh at midday. Schedule the exterior for the best hour.

6. Keep the house empty during the shoot

   Pets, people and running appliances all end up in the frame or the audio.

A listing video should feel like the first showing, not a slideshow of the photos.

Getting the most from the footage

A listing video is often posted once on the MLS and forgotten. A little planning stretches it further.

• A 15 to 30 second vertical teaser for Reels, TikTok and Shorts
• A "coming soon" clip before the listing goes live
• An open house invite using the best two or three shots
• A "just sold" post when it closes
• Neighborhood clips you can reuse on future listings in the same area

Our guides on vertical video for Reels and TikTok and repurposing one shoot into a month of content cover how to plan for that. If you are an agent or brokerage thinking about ongoing video, see what we make on our content page or send us the property details in the project planner for a per-property quote.

Frequently asked questions