Listing photos can make or break a sale in real estate. Here is your guide on taking high-quality listing photos that sell homes quickly, attract as many buyers as possible and get you the best deal for your client’s home.
Why Quality Listing Photos Matter
High-quality listing photos are a must in real estate. Since most home searches start online, you want to ensure your listing photos leave an excellent first impression.
Listing photography is the most effective tool to make a property stand out. Prospective buyers will spend more time viewing stunning pictures than reading the property description on a listing; this makes photos the most important feature to focus on when you sell.
Benefits of High-Quality Listing Photos
- Higher perceived market value
- Sell more properties faster
- Enhance your brand and marketing strategy
Beautiful real estate photos can win you more business with the potential to bring in more offers while attracting sellers simultaneously.
5 Key Elements for Taking High-Quality Listing Photos
Prospective buyers decide whether or not to schedule a property walkthrough based on the listing photos online. Here is how to effectively market real estate and make an excellent first impression.
Avoid Common Photo Mistakes
Potential buyers will be looking at the real estate photos carefully. Try to avoid having distracting elements show up in the images. For example, ensure toilet seat lids are closed in the bathrooms and turn the TV off in the living room.
Before you start taking pictures, make the home photo-ready. Buyers notice the smallest mistakes while scrutinizing listing photos; if they see something they don’t like, it could bring down the home’s perceived value.
Focus on Photo Composition
Photo composition is what makes up the visible elements in a photo. So when it’s time to take listing photos, you want to focus on the right home features.
Here are some things to remember as you shoot your listing photos.
- Keep the shots as wide as possible.
Avoid focusing on close-up shots of furniture or decor. Those don’t come with the property sale, so they don’t need to be the focal point of a photo.
- Engage buyers by using different angles.
Shots that are too simple or shot from the center of the room might not entice buyers. Instead, switch up the angles for better results.
- Display the interior and exterior.
Come up with unique ways to display the home and its features. Don’t forget to show off the home’s front and back and curb appeal!
Set a Purpose for Each Room
Each room should have a purpose and focal point. Although furniture and decor don’t come with the home sale, you should include these to define each space and size. Tip: However, make sure you are depersonalizing.
Buyers can’t tell how big a room is if it’s empty, but there should not be any clutter either. Keep each room minimalistic with decor and as neutral as possible. Example focal points of rooms include statement pieces like a fireplace or a bed, depending on the room type.
Stage the Home
Have the home staged before you have any listing photos taken — consider investing in a professional to get the job done effectively.
Home staging is essential for making swoon-worthy photos that allow buyers to imagine themselves living there. As a result, it can increase the home’s perceived value. It also helps buyers recognize when a house meets their expectations or what they are looking for.
Use these home staging tips to prepare the property and make the best listing photos:
- Declutter and deep clean.
The less there is, the better. You want a minimalistic and neutral look to the home. Declutter the house to open up the space, make rooms look bigger and appeal more to potential buyers.
- Depersonalize.
Put away family photos and all personal items. It can be difficult for potential buyers to picture themselves living there if they see anything that reminds them of the homeowners. Instead, you want to create a blank canvas for buyers and listing photos.
- Consider making minor repairs.
Minor repairs like paint touch-ups or other quick fixes are essential because if there’s a hole in the wall or chipped paint, buyers will notice them, especially if it’s visible in a photo.
Hire a Professional Real Estate Photographer
A great camera does not equal great real estate photos. While you may think you can get away with taking pictures on your smartphone, having a professional do it changes the game.
Real estate listings with professionally-taken photos will achieve the following for the property:
- Increase the home’s perceived value
- Sell for thousands of dollars more
- Fewer days on the market
- Entices buyers to schedule a tour
Here are some things to consider when you hire a professional photographer.
- Look at their previous work.
Ask them for a portfolio of work to determine whether or not they have the experience to shoot properties effectively. For example, a photographer who shoots weddings or family portraits is not the best choice because shooting listing photos require a completely different skill set.
- Make sure they are properly licensed and insured.
Hire someone legitimate. Ask about licensing on the listing content because your content could be flagged if it’s using copyright material like music.
- Don’t go cheap.
A lower price will bring cheap results, and there would be no point in hiring anyone. Ask the photographer if they are doing this full-time or as a side gig. Getting a professional photographer will generally cost between $95 and $300.
Bring More Business With High-Quality Listing Photos
High-quality listing photos can dramatically improve the sale of a home — it’s the number one marketing tool that can entice buyers to visit the property.
A staged home and a professional photographer are the recipes for making the perfect listing photos that will undoubtedly bring your more real estate business. Listing photos are crucial to marketing properties efficiently, especially since most home searches start online. Looking for a photographer to help you get these results? Contact us to get paired with the perfect photographer for your needs.
