Light, weather and when to shoot
First light for the water and the pool; haze and glare by ten. Summer storms in the afternoon. Winter is the clearest exterior season. After any storm, re-shoot exteriors before you list.
What sells here, and what buyers want to see
South Tampa, Davis Islands and the Westchase suburbs sell the neighbourhood, the pool and the schools; St. Pete's Old Northeast sells character; Clearwater and the beaches sell the Gulf. Waterfront buyers ask about elevation, the seawall, the dock and insurance before the kitchen.
The clips to make
- Front-door approach up the stairs of an elevated home; tilt down from the porch to grade.
- Rise over roof to the bay; pool glide with the seawall behind.
- Storm features: impact glass, the roof, the generator — one clip each.
Rules worth checking
Flood zones and elevation certificates apply to most waterfront lots; the flood-zone guide and the post-disaster guide cover keeping the video honest and re-shooting after a storm. Seawalls and docks need permits; say what transfers. Airspace near MacDill and the airports restricts drones.
Disclosure, drone and privacy rules change and differ by MLS and municipality; confirm the current version with your broker before you rely on anything here.
Questions
The seawall was rebuilt after the storm. Should I show it?
Yes, as a feature — a glide along it with the date in the caption. It answers the first question a waterfront buyer has right now.
Relocating buyers want to compare South Tampa and St. Pete. What helps?
A neighbourhood clip for each listing and the full walk-through. They are choosing a side of the bay by video.
Read next
- Real Estate Video in Florida: Light, Water and the Buyer Who Is Not There YetHow Florida listing agents use video: shooting in hard sun and afternoon storms, leading with pools and water, and selling to out-of-state and seasonal buyers who decide from a screen.
- Listing Video in Hurricane Country: Storm Features, Season and HonestyHow to make a listing video for a home in a hurricane region: impact windows, shutters, roof straps and generators as features, when in the season to shoot, and where the storm history and insurance facts belong.
- Listing Video After a Disaster: Re-shooting, Repairs and the Rebuilt HomeHow to market a home after a flood, fire, storm or earthquake: when to re-shoot, how to show repairs and improvements honestly, what never to reuse, and where the damage history belongs.