Light, weather and when to shoot
November to March exteriors are grey or blindingly bright on snow; expose for the snow and keep interiors lamp-lit. Late spring through October is exterior season, and a leafy suburban street in June is worth a return trip. Chicago condos face one way — say the exposure and shoot when the light is in.
What sells here, and what buyers want to see
In the city, condos sell on the building, the exposure, the parking and the outdoor space; two-flats sell as investments and want both units shown; bungalows sell on the basement and the lot. Suburbs sell on the town, the schools and the train. Downstate, lots, outbuildings and farmland lead.
The clips to make
- Condos: the condo guide — corner dollies, a view push to the skyline or the lake.
- Two-flats: the multifamily guide — a façade glide then one unit shot properly.
- Bungalows and suburban homes: slide down into the finished basement; backyard reveal to the yard.
- Downstate: drone top-down for the lot and the outbuildings.
Rules worth checking
The Illinois Residential Real Property Disclosure Act requires a seller disclosure report, and Illinois also requires a radon disclosure pamphlet on residential sales; the video should never soften what the report says. Chicago condo boards often restrict photography in common areas, and drone flight over much of the city is restricted airspace.
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 I show both units of a two-flat?
Yes, briefly — investors want to compare them. One clip each, plus the basement and the exterior; the multifamily guide covers the order.
How do I get a skyline view clip in a condo?
A view push to the window, exposed for the outside, shot when the sun is behind you. If the unit faces the lake, that is the clip buyers share.
Read next
- Real Estate Video in the Midwest: Value, Space and Four SeasonsListing video for Midwest agents: showing space and value, finished basements and garages, four-season exteriors, and buyers who compare listings carefully on a budget.
- 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.
- Multifamily and Investment Property Video: One Building, Many UnitsListing video for duplexes, fourplexes and apartment buildings: what to show investors, how to handle occupied units, and how to build one video from a model unit plus the building.