Short-form video is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful marketing tools for real estate agents in Australia and New Zealand. Our new Short Form Video product is designed to help agents showcase listings, engage buyers, and build their personal brand with 45-second, portrait-format videos that perform on social media and property portals like REA.
This article is a practical guide for BWRM members on how to position, explain, and sell Short Form Video to agents. You’ll learn why agents need it, how to highlight its benefits, and what makes it a must-have addition to their marketing toolkit, giving you the confidence to pitch it effectively and close more sales.
1. Why Short‑Form Video Is a Must for Agents
Short‑form vertical video is booming across platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels and now property portals.
Modern property seekers scroll first, read later. Video catches attention faster than photos alone.
Agents who use video are seen as more relevant, engaging, and modern compared to competitors.
2. Key Benefits for Agents
Increase engagement: Properties are more likely to be viewed, shared, and enquired on.
Build personal brand: Agent intros and walk-throughs create familiarity and trust.
Stand out in competitive markets: Videos catch attention in crowded listings.
Boost online visibility: REA Video Discovery Hub and social platforms prioritise short-form content.
Cost-effective & scalable: Quick to produce, reusable across multiple platforms.
3. REA’s New Video Discovery Hub: A Game‑Change
REA has launched a Video Discovery Hub on the realestate.com.au app home screen, surfacing short‑form vertical videos in a swipeable carousel format. Users can explore market insights, property news and inspiration, without leaving the homepage.
This shift signals that property search platforms are prioritising short video, meaning agents using video now benefit from in‑platform visibility and consumer engagement that didn’t exist before.
REA’s strategy reflects broader trends: they’re making short video a core part of the property discovery experience, not just a listing extra.
4. Product Highlights
Portrait format (9:16) – perfect for mobile and social feeds.
Maximum 45-second videos – REA compliant.
Three styles: No agent, agent intro/outro, agent walkthrough.
Two pacing options: Fast (high-energy) or Slow (smooth & elegant).
Includes royalty-free music and agency branding.
5. How to Sell It
Focus on the value to their listings: more engagement, more enquiries, more visibility.
Highlight the REA reach: up to 12.8 million daily visitors in Australia.
Position it as modern, professional marketing that builds their personal brand.
Recommend pricing: AUD $200–$250 per video (GST inclusive).
Compelling Statistics to Include
Local video usage and expectations
Over 88% of Australians use online video services, and short‑form clips like TikTok and Reels are key drivers of this growth, with TikTok and Instagram Reels usage increasing markedly in recent years.
A 2024 survey cited by NZ property video platforms found that 67% of Kiwi buyers trust property videos more than photography alone, translating into higher engagement and quicker decision‑making.
Over 80% of New Zealanders access property listings on mobile devices, where short‑form and social video formats perform best given how platforms prioritise this content type.
Engagement and buyer behaviour
Short‑form video is one of the most engaging content types, with around 66% of consumers saying short‑form video is the most engaging format and 60–70% deciding within the first few seconds whether to keep watching.
Short‑form content tends to generate 2.5× more engagement than long‑form content on social platforms, critical for helping listings and agent brand content stand out.
Business and marketing impact
91% of marketers say video helps increase traffic, and 89% report video has convinced customers to buy, showing the broader business impact of video, including in property‑related decision contexts.
In Australia, Instagram Reels reach nearly 14 million people, and YouTube reaches over 21 million users, highlighting the massive audience potential for short video posts.
Real‑estate video performance
Australia: Listings that include video receive up to 403% more enquiries compared to those that don’t, a powerful stat you can link to the value of adding short‑form video to a property marketing strategy.
New Zealand: A Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ)‑sourced summary shows that property listings that include video get up to 40% more views compared with photo‑only listings, showing strong local appetite for video content in NZ.
Research also shows that 73% of homeowners are more likely to list with an agent who offers video marketing, reinforcing how video can influence vendor choice.
Key Takeaways
Short‑form video is broadly used and highly engaging, especially on mobile and social platforms where property seekers spend time.
Video dramatically increases interest and enquiries for property listings compared to static content.
Buyers and vendors now expect video marketing, meaning it’s a competitive advantage for agents.
Platforms like REA are actively embedding video discovery features, increasing organic visibility for video content, a huge selling point for why agents should adopt this format now.