The vast majority of buyers today are searching for their next dream home online. For this reason, photographs are hugely important. Buyers are scanning thousands of images of homes on the market, and they’re making split-second decisions on whether or not to pursue a property based on these photographs.
Dont underestimate the power of photographs
Photographs represent your home and are the first impression buyers have. The best way to pique and maintain interest is by using professional photography. A home that stands out from the crowd has a better chance of selling faster and for more money.
Although the goal is to have the buyer see the home in person, sellers will need to include a variety of shots in the listing. That doesnt mean just an exterior shot. Invest in a gallery of images that include every room, and the exterior and backyard.
In the photos above, the rooms are bathed in diffused light, making the images clear and crisp. A good photo is also high-resolution and properly proportioned, so it translates well to being viewed on a computer screen.
What makes a good photograph?
Photographs serve to showcase your home to strangers. The images must have visual impact and entice buyers to view the listing further. Staging the home to appear inviting is important. Lighting is a top priority; the space should look like it is bathed in a diffused light. Images should be clear and crisp. The photos need to translate well on a computer screen, so they should be high-resolution and be sized properly.
Images that are dark, grainy, blurry, or washed out will reflect poorly on the home. Shots with with inadequate or yellow lighting look dingy and cheap, definitely not worth the time for a buyer. Dark, blurry or garish-colored images are an instant turnoff when there are other visually appealing images to look at.
Buyers may not understand why they dont like a home, but often it was because they moved on in their search due to ineffective, lackluster images. Keep in mind that if the photographs depicting your home arent flattering, the home could sit on the market for an extended period of time, or worse- indefinitely.
Images that are dark, grainy, blurry, or washed out will reflect poorly on the home.
Why hire a pro?
The difference between amateur and professional images are stunning. Real estate photographers use their expertise and talent to help sellers show their home in a visually appealing way. They are trained to highlight the important features of the home in a way that will convey its attributes clearly.
Photographers have the ability to shoot a property that portrays the home accurately. But theres more to it than that. Professionals are also adept at capturing the overall feel of the space necessary to illustrate to potential buyers how it would feel to live in the space. That is what the buyer is seeking and professional images make it easy for them to imagine themselves in the space.
This is one area not to skimp on budget. It isnt worth using a point-and-shoot or cellphone camera for theses shots. They are too important. Buyers dont want to waste their time, so they will skip listings that dont show the home in the best light.
Sellers that utilized professional photography services found that across all price tiers, houses that were photographed by a professional were more likely to sell within six months compared to images shot using a point and shoot camera. The more the ask, the greater the need for quality images, as people expect to see what they are investing in. Mid-range homes that feature professional images sell weeks faster than homes that used amateur pictures.
Streamline the Process
It may be worthwhile to contract with an agent that offers photographic services or has connections that they can recommend. A real estate agent should not only have a network at their fingertips, but could possibly facilitate the appointment for you by direct clients to resources or even schedule the photo shoot for you. Some firms offer specialty services such as in-house professional photographers who specialize in real estate photography. Pro photographers are trained to know exactly what works to sell your home- and what doesnt.
Photographs Should Excite
The PiperPartners Team at Keller Williams Realty uses only professional-grade photographs when marketing its listings. Selling your home is one of the biggest sales you’ll ever make; make sure that you have good photographs of your home, so it’s cast in the best possible light.
