For the most part, the first time potential buyers see their new home is through photographs. Theyll either find the home on a real estate website or receive the MLS listing from their agent.
We all know that you only get one chance to make a first impression and we also know that you only have a few seconds to make it.
As a Realtor®, you have to capitalize on those first few seconds. The best way to do that is to draw the line between good photos and great photos and cross it so that youre only sharing great photos.
Snapshots vs. Professional, High-Resolution Photos
The fact that professionally photographed homes sell faster and at a higher price is old news, but still, we frequently see snapshots in listings. The camera on a phone might be great, but it just cant compare with the equipment that professionals use.
Tips for Taking Great Real Estate Photos Yourself
You don't have to hire a professional if you have a good camera, although someone with training and a keen eye may be better able to take the right photos of your listing. If you do decide to take a DIY approach to photographing your listing, make sure you:
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Take your time. Getting the photos right might take some planning, but its worth the few extra minutes you'll spend.
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Think wide. Include a few wide-angle shots of rooms and outdoor spaces to give a more impressive sense of the size of the spaces. Position your camera as close to the edge of the room or yard as possible so you can capture the best stills.
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Stage the shots. Straightening furniture and curtains, clearing clutter and removing some of the furniture produces a cleaner impression of each rooms dimensions.
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Use high resolution. Interested buyers will want to zoom in and imagine themselves in the picture. You want to present a crisp, clear and beautiful setting.
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Brighten the light. Use light to present the impression of openness and cheer. Open the drapes behind you and make sure the lights on the home are on; sometimes a flash can create unnatural (and unattractive) shadows, so its best to take the pictures with as much natural light as possible.
Photos Have a Lasting Impact
When a property makes a buyers short list, they'll come back more than once to these photos. In a close competition, the quality of your shots could make all the difference.
Once a buyer has visited a property, theyll go home and look at the photos online with a deeper understanding of the dimensions and layout of the house. Theyll compare their feelings while looking at your photos with those of other residences, and its here where the tidy, well-lit, high-resolution photographs really pay off.
Love Tips from Benchmark Realty?
If youre not a Benchmark Agent, nows a great time to explore your options with one of Middle Tennessees premier realty companies. We offer continual training and career development, and our agents get 100 percent real estate commission on every transaction.
Call us at 615-371-1544 or contact us online. Wed love to set up a confidential meeting so you can decide whether its time for you to take control of your real estate career.
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