Tour that home on your MP3 player

Since the launch of a video-playing iPod a year ago, podcasts -- mini-videos, in this case of home tours, downloadable from websites onto MP3 players and computers -- are helping buyers, sellers and real estate agents. Visit www.youtube.com, or check out the video category on Google or Yahoo, and enter some variation of “Los Angeles homes for sale” to get a look at listings. The mini home tours generally last less than a minute. Many, although not all, are courtesy of TheRealEstateHomeShow.com (www.therealestatehomeshow.com), which also features its own podcasts.

Realty agents who need help creating podcasts are turning to such sites as Real Estate Shows (www.realestateshows.com) and CaliforniaFineProperties (www.californiafineproperties.com), which markets the video tours by location.

Kathy Bost, an agent with Re/Max of Santa Clarita, used CaliforniaFineProperties to create and launch WoodlandsFineProperties.com (www.woodlandsfineproperties.com). Her website offers downloadable video of listings, history, location and contact information.

Carrying the content on an MP3 player is convenient and allows for repeated viewings of city and ocean views, a pool with cascading water, the large chef’s gourmet kitchen with stainless-steel appliances, the his-and-hers bathrooms, master suites and other details.

Get moving on relocation plans

Wherever you are relocating -- around the corner or around the world -- BananaMoving.com wants to help (www.bananamoving.com).

The site allows users to get free quotes and offers information on how to select a mover. There are also tips on moving with family or pets. Regional guides provide specific advice for the Bay Area, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts and New York.

Although there is no guide for Southern California, moving- cost estimates and other services are provided for the Southland.

The site has advice on transporting cars, storage, insurance, moving in and out and a timeline on when to do what, from two months to one week out.

The guide describes different types of packing material. The real estate section provides suggestions for buyers and sellers.

Some advice is very basic, geared, perhaps, to the consumer who has never made a major move before.

gayle.pollard-terry@latimes.com