Light, weather and when to shoot
Morning light on the windward sides, afternoon on the leeward; showers pass quickly and leave the greenest exteriors in the country. Shoot lanais and ocean views before the midday glare, and keep the trade-wind sky in the frame. The light is the same all year, so a listing rarely needs a seasonal re-shoot.
What sells here, and what buyers want to see
Oahu condos sell on the view, the floor and the building; neighbour-island homes on land, privacy and the ocean. Buyers ask early whether the property is fee simple or leasehold, what the maintenance fees cover, and how the lanai is used. Off-island buyers want the full walk-through and a sense of the neighbourhood's microclimate.
The clips to make
- Balcony pull-back from the ocean into the lanai and the living room — the Hawaii opener.
- View push to Diamond Head, the ocean or the mountains.
- Backyard reveal for homes with indoor-outdoor living.
- Drone reveal of the setting from a licensed pilot's stills — many shoreline areas are restricted airspace.
Rules worth checking
Hawaii requires a seller's disclosure statement on residential sales. Leasehold properties must be described as such — the caption should say fee simple or leasehold plainly. Drone flights near Honolulu's airport, military installations and many shoreline parks are restricted; hire a Part 107 operator who knows the island.
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
Should the video say fee simple or leasehold?
The caption should, every time. The video shows the property; the tenure is the fact a mainland buyer most often misunderstands.
Can I show the lanai as a room?
Shoot it as one — three photos from the sliding door toward the view — and a dolly. On most listings it is the room buyers are paying for.
Read next
- How to Make a Condo Listing Video That Shows Space, Light and the ViewHow to shoot a condo or apartment listing video from photos: the moves that make small rooms feel bigger, how to lead with the view, and what to show of the building.
- Vacation Rental Video for Airbnb and VRBO ListingsHow short-term rental hosts make a video that books: the experience-first shot list, the moves for pools, decks and views, where to post it, and what platforms allow.
- Waterfront Listing Video: Showing the Water Without Overselling ItHow to make a video for a lakefront, riverfront or oceanfront home: the moves that show the water and the access, when to shoot, and how to keep the video honest about what the property actually has.