How Important are Good Listing Photos?

There are two trends impacting real estate photography that are important to keep in mind if you are thinking of selling this year. First, more than ever before, buyers are relying on pictures and virtual 3D tours to decide whether or not to schedule a viewing. They expect to be able to go online and “tour” your home via photography. If they don’t form a good impression of your home from the pictures, they may quickly lose interest in your listing. Second, everyone is a photographer these days! Most people have phones with cameras, and many think they can take decent pictures. Unfortunately, taking a “decent picture” isn’t good enough. Your listing photos need to accomplish a lot. They must: • give buyers the information they need: room sizes, layout, views, property details, etc; • showcase the most enticing features of your home; • communicate the functionality, spaciousness, and style of each room; • provide a sense of what it’s going to be like to live there; and, much more. In short, listing photos need to help sell your property. When you consider that these pictures are often the first look-see buyers get of your home, you can appreciate how important they are. So, don’t leave listing photos to chance. There is an art and science to taking them. Think of it this way. If better listing photos encourage just five percent more buyers to schedule a viewing, that could result in a faster sale at a higher price. By the way, I’m well-versed in the best practices of taking great listing photos and 3D virtual tours for every listing. Call me for more information.