✳ PLAYBOOK · SHOWCASE · INSTAGRAM REELS
Real estate listing short on Instagram Reels
Show a property walkthrough in a vertical short that pre-screens buyers for an open house.
What to produce
- Property walkthrough short - 9:16, 60s
- Full walkthrough - 16:9, 180s
- Listing carousel - 4:5
Recommended inputs
- Phone walkthrough
- Wide exterior shots
- Detail close-ups
Platform-specific guidance
- Hook
- Lead with motion; Reels favours strong visual hooks.
- Aspect
- 9:16
- Duration
- 60s
- Captions
- Burned-in recommended
- Reframe 16:9 to 9:16
- Yes
- Safe-zone overlay
- Apply before upload
- Caption guidance
- Burned-in lower-thirds; Reels tolerates heavy captions.
Workflow
- Plan the route: Walk order = viewing order.
- Shoot hero shots + detail: Two passes: wide + tight.
- Edit to 60s: Cut between rooms on natural beats. (Workflow)
- Add spec captions: Lower-third, not full-width. (Burn-in)
- Export pack: 9:16 short + 16:9 full + 4:5 carousel. (Content Pack)
- Apply platform safe-zone overlay: Use the Instagram Reels safe-zone overlay so subjects stay visible. (Safe-zone)
Pitfalls to avoid
- Vertical-only walkthrough loses spatial context
- Music that drowns out the space
- Missing price / bedroom count
Tools and presets
Frequently asked
How do I make a real estate listing short for Instagram Reels?
Plan the route; Shoot hero shots + detail; Edit to 60s; Add spec captions; Export pack.
What aspect ratio should I use on Instagram Reels?
Use 9:16 (Instagram Reels's safe native ratio).
Do I need burned-in captions on Instagram Reels?
Yes - Instagram Reels feeds are predominantly muted, so burned-in captions are essential.
Which export preset should I pick?
Instagram Reels's SAFE_DEFAULT preset is documented at /tools/export/instagram-reels/reel.
Sources
HubSpot content types overview (verified 2026-09-18) - Wistia Learn creator playbook (verified 2026-09-18)