AFTER failing to sell his house by conventional advertising methods, a Cwmbran property owner took matters into his own hands.

At the end of August, Malcolm John, 50, was at his home in Daffodil Court, Cwmbran, when he came up with the idea of creating a video to promote the property.

He invited two colleagues over, Katrina Jones and Hannah Jones, who came armed with props, and the trio set about filming scenes using a hand held camera.

Mr John said: “It was just a laugh over the weekend, and we literally walked from room to room and thought about what we could do in each one and just went for it.”

The filming took two hours to complete and include scenes shot in the down stairs loo, bathroom and garden.

To add a comedy element they used props which were used to play chess while in the bath and swing a cat in the bedroom.

Mr John, who is a radio producer with Able Radio in Pontnewynydd, then voiced over the footage.

He said: “It was meant to be home movie style so I just talked over the footage without a script.

“We were trying to show real people doing everyday things, with a bit of comedy, not like what you see on real TV shows.”

His idea came as he was aware that the housing market is quiet during August so wanted to do something to attract people.

 

He wants to sell the property to downsize and thanks to the video, that has received over 150 views on youtube in a two week period, he has had three viewings.

He said: “At the time it seemed like a good idea, and it’s definitely divided people as some people don’t get it and some love it.

“All I can say is I’m not a comedian but I tried and it’s much harder than it looks.”

Hathways Estate Agents in Cwmbran agreed to plug the video on their website.

Owner, Phillips Hathways, said: “This has never been done before. It is quite inventive, and it has been done to a high standard which is good.

“I can’t say enquiries have gone up on the property since it has been made available but it certainly is a good talking point.”

A production company has also been in contact with Mr John about creating a show based on house sellers creating homemade videos to sell their properties.

Mr John added: “I wanted to do something different to the stylised productions that you see on TV and I did.

“My sons think I’m a bit mad but all I can say is for people to watch the video and judge for themselves.”