Why it's a Good Idea to Have Your Home Photographed by a Professional
17/06/07 15:46
The internet is a huge factor in the sale of your home. The vast majority of buyers are out there surfing to find their next house. And what are they looking for? Pictures! Lots and lots of pictures!
These pictures are one of the biggest factors, maybe the single biggest factor in whether or not they pick up the phone to call for an appointment.
Buyers are house hunting primarily on the web at this point. Their time for house hunting is far more limited than it was 10 or even 5 years ago. They eliminate possible homes from viewing based on the pictures uploaded to the MLS. Make them the best possible photos to show your home off to the best advantage!
Real Estate Photos Worth More Than a Thousand Words
16/06/07 12:19
Blog post from 37Signals.com
Making Every Pixel Count talks about the importance of photography at real estate sites. “It’s so important to have photos that are professionally presented,” says Rosalind Clarke, a senior sales associate with the Corcoran Group. “If things look shoddy or unprofessional, not only are buyers going to find the property unappealing, they’re going to associate you with being shoddy and unprofessional.”
A Realtors’ association survey found that when it comes to web features that buyers consider “very useful,” 83 percent cited pictures, 81 percent cited detailed property information and 60 percent cited virtual tours. (I bet the tours figure is low because few sites offer them. I’d much rather see a video walkthrough of a place than a couple of still shots.)
Below are some example photos (befores are first, afters are second) from the article and accompanying slideshow. They show the difference good equipment, a wide-angle lens, and a sharp eye for composition can make.
A general photography rule of thumb is the closer the subject, the better the photo. But in these photos you can see the impact of taking a few steps back (or using a wide-angle lens to give that impression). It gives the viewer more context and makes the place seem more spacious.
Notice the impact of removing the loud green couch on the right.
Note how many of the after photos add in an outdoorsy touch (e.g. trees, sunlight, pool, etc.) They don’t just sell bed or bath, they sell “beyond.”
Making Every Pixel Count talks about the importance of photography at real estate sites. “It’s so important to have photos that are professionally presented,” says Rosalind Clarke, a senior sales associate with the Corcoran Group. “If things look shoddy or unprofessional, not only are buyers going to find the property unappealing, they’re going to associate you with being shoddy and unprofessional.”
A Realtors’ association survey found that when it comes to web features that buyers consider “very useful,” 83 percent cited pictures, 81 percent cited detailed property information and 60 percent cited virtual tours. (I bet the tours figure is low because few sites offer them. I’d much rather see a video walkthrough of a place than a couple of still shots.)
Below are some example photos (befores are first, afters are second) from the article and accompanying slideshow. They show the difference good equipment, a wide-angle lens, and a sharp eye for composition can make.
A general photography rule of thumb is the closer the subject, the better the photo. But in these photos you can see the impact of taking a few steps back (or using a wide-angle lens to give that impression). It gives the viewer more context and makes the place seem more spacious.
Notice the impact of removing the loud green couch on the right.
Note how many of the after photos add in an outdoorsy touch (e.g. trees, sunlight, pool, etc.) They don’t just sell bed or bath, they sell “beyond.”