Nowhere is this more true than on the web where the majority of home buying searches are conducted- “web appeal” is the new “curb appeal”, the lure that draws buyers in. Today’s prospective buyers are used to quality imagery in other marketing venues. Appealing photos will rivet the prospect’s attention, whereas homes with so-so photos may well be passed by.
When selling your home, you hire a Real Estate agent to do the best job marketing of your property. Agents are experts in the business aspects of the selling process; research, pricing, advertising, negotiating and closing. But, the centerpiece in your listing-pictures-is a photography expert taking them?
Grabbing a point-and-shoot and photographing a home seems to be a reasonable option. Often, one can get good shots simply though luck. However, many aesthetic and technological difficulties must be overcome in order to result in the consistently great photography needed in today’s multiple-photo listings.
Internet display systems, known for showcasing still photos, panning slide shows and virtual tours, are another tool available to realtors. These products are only as good as the photography used within. Use poor photographs and you get a poor photo housed in a slide show or tour.
Photography is a highly specialized industry-all photographers are not the same. A good portrait photographer does not necessarily make a good real estate photographer because the photographic challenges and thus, training, are different. Architectural photographers are not the best choice because they charge a significantly higher rate that cuts into your realtor’s bottom line. Professional Real Estate photographers give you similar results at a good price point.
Top-of-the-line equipment aside, professional real estate photographers have more than just a good eye. They know exactly where to put the camera, and are skilled in holding it straight. Professional photographers are experienced at reliably producing multiple uniformly-good shots of every house. Exteriors are taken from the best angle and trumpet blue skies and puffy clouds. Interior shots are well-composed, evenly lit and clearly convey accurate visual information about the space you are looking at.
Photos rarely emerge from the camera ready for display. They require post-shoot processing and this is where the Real Estate professional photographer excels. Great real estate photographs “pop” off the screen or page. They look and feel bright, light, open, and inviting. When done well, the viewer does not know why they like them, they just do!
Ask yourself which listing you would rather be: You are viewing two comparable listings, one with a few photos that are somewhat dark, feel cropped too closely and a little hazy. The other listing has clear, detailed photographs of the outside setting and main rooms of the house. It’s clear which is going to generate more interest, showings and a potentially quicker sale.
So what can you do to get the best photography for your listing?
Examine the existing listings of your prospective agents. Do they feature excellent photos? Are there a half dozen or more pictures on the web listings? Professional Real Estate Photography is done at the agent’s discretion. If the agent you choose doesn’t use professionals, insist that they do. Those that do see the results. And so will you.
