Real Estate Laundry » A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (but how many thousands of dollars?)

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (but how many thousands of dollars?)

September 17th, 2007 categories: About Realtors, Local Communities, Real Estate Professionals

Deck (1)

Now isn’t the setting above the kind of place you would like to put your feet up and call home. To me, this is a great photo, capturing the wonderful outdoor living space that makes this home special.

Every home has something special to offer, though it may be harder to capture in some than others.

Over the past few years, the quality of photos used in real estate marketing has become increasingly important. Our job as Real Estate Professionals is to showcase each property we market in the absolute best light.

When I meet with sellers, I always emphasize the investment in equipment and professional approach to photography we provide to ensure a quality visual presentation. This includes:

High quality SLR camera with wide angle lens
Photographer carries step ladder and additional lighting
If the day is cloudy, rainy or overcast, we will re-schedule
Lots of photos taken – 200 or more per house!
We will move items and replace if necessary to get good photos
Detailed review of photos as well as image enhancement to ensure best shots for marketing use

Bradhurst kitchen

Perhaps the above seem like the least you would expect from a “professional”. In truth, some of the photos seen online are horrible and can make the best home in the neighborhood look like the worst! Some of the common “less than desirable” practices include:

Photos taken at dusk or later
Photos taken on rainy days
“Out of season photos” left on the MLS (think snow in June!)
Out of focus photos
Use of Auditor’s photo (sometimes several years old)
No photo

Today’s Buyers use the internet, and most of the time, their impression is formed by what they see visually. No matter how nice the home sounds in the remarks, if the pictures do not do it justice, they will not want to see it. It happens over and over that Buyers rule out a property I have suggested just because the pictures are bad.

Shame on any Realtor who can not provide decent quality photography in this day and age. To get a feel of the kind of photography that is out there check out:

Bad MLS Photo of the Day
Unbelievably Bad Real Estate Photos Hall of Fame
MLS Trash Can (my favorite…I love the comments!)

If you are a Seller in today’s market, you know it is tougher than in the past. The good news is that homes are selling. Be sure yours is represented as it should be. Review the photos being used and make sure they showcase all your home has to offer.

Good Photos = Good Selling!

This entry was posted on Monday, September 17th, 2007 at 2:46 pm and is filed under About Realtors, Local Communities, Real Estate Professionals. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Athol Kay said at September 17th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Hi there and thanks so much for the link love. Naturally I couldn’t agree more with your viewpoint that good photos are vital for sellers.
shaun said at September 22nd, 2007 at 2:38 am
I’m feeling so warm and fuzzy now. Thanks for the mention (and the side note)! Keep up the great work on your blog.
CoRE Link Post #60 | Carnival of Real Estate - Real Estate Blogging Tips and Tricks said at September 26th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
[…] Eric Ransom presents A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (but how many thousands of dollars?) posted at Real Estate Laundry. […]
Clearwater Beach Real Estate said at October 2nd, 2007 at 10:04 pm
This was a great post and the pictures and comments had me rolling on the floor. I’m new to the RET blog family and stopped in to visit. Thanks for the laugh. Looking forwrd to checking out your laundry again - Cyndee Haydon
Gena Riede said at October 4th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
Great article about a warm friendly home and how important it is to convey that in photos. Love your blog!
Joanne Hanson said at October 10th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Hi Eric, I have been guilty of taking some very bad photos, but at least I don’t put them in the MLS! I actually love to take photos, but prefer scenery to the inside of houses. I leave that to my daughter who does all my marketing. Your post is wonderful and it shows how much care you take with your listings.
Athol Kay said at October 10th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
We’re all guilty of taking bad photos, so no worries on that account. The secret to taking good photos is to allow yourself to take lots and lots of bad ones. Eventually one of your photos just clicks, and it’s a good one.

Then upload the good one to the MLS.
Stasigr said at October 29th, 2007 at 8:52 am
Hello, very nice site, keep up good job!
Admin good, very good.
What is Your Home Worth in Today’s Market? said at November 5th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
[…] Related must reads: Photos to Sell Your Home, Do You Really Want to Sell? add to: […]
The Ten Day Team » Photos, Baby. said at November 30th, 2007 at 11:37 am
[…] So are you, Eric […]
cebu real estate said at December 4th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
yes that house is a great place for a family , great space . i really find it hard to price a house .. there was a house owner wants to sell her house in our website .. she was confused what the right price for it .. so she said its negotiable