Crafting enticing images is essential in appealing to
potential homebuyers. Customers want to purchase homes that provide
more pictures of the house than those with fewer photos, for instance. On top
of that, well-taken photos can help you generate more leads, sell more
consistently, command higher prices, and attract new clients. This is why
photography plays a crucial role in real estate success.
The Impact of Bad Photos in Real
Estate
But the impact of poor property marketing and promotion can be
just as powerful. After all, the quality of your photos can make or break the
first impression for buyers. And no matter how great the actual property is—a
lousy listing photo is enough to put off even the most interested customers.
According to the National Association of
Realtors, 87 percent of potential home buyers rely on photos to reach a final
decision on whether or not they will push through with a home purchase. With
that said, bad photos can seriously derail you from selling your property
because:
- You won’t
attract a lot of buyers.
- You won’t be
able to ask for a higher price.
- You run the
risk of damaging your reputation online.
A 2014 report by VHT Studios reveals that real
estate listings with professionally taken photos sell 32 percent faster than their counterparts
taken with subpar shots. A 2013 report by Redfin also discovered that homes
that were shot using DSLR cameras were sold at a higher price. If this teaches
you anything, it’s that you should use high-quality images for your listings.
Using the right photography equipment can go a long way in appealing to
potential homebuyers. So why not set aside the budget for a professional
photographer or top-quality camera gear?
Make good real estate photography your
priority. People usually look at the collection of photos of the homes they
purchase, so make sure you impress them right from the get-go. You’ll also
improve your reputation and present yourself as a trustworthy seller.
How to Take Great Real Estate
Photos
Remove Excess Clutter
Before setting up your camera, the first thing
to do is to perform a walkthrough of each room. This lets you see the
highlights of the house and where you can set up your camera to get the best
angles. You can also check if the property is clean and organized. Dirty
towels, dusty bookshelves, and laundry baskets can make your property look
disorganized, for instance. So strip your property down to the bare minimum,
and remove any excess clutter before the shoot.
Use Lighting to Showcase Your
Property
Once you’ve found the right position for your
camera, make sure that you get the
proper lighting and framing for the shot. Put yourself in the shoes
of a potential buyer and ask, “Can I see all the features and amenities I
needt?” Showcase your property’s best features and amenities so buyers can more
easily visualize what it would be like if they choose to live there.
Buyers want to imagine themselves in a
vibrant, well-lit room they feel comfortable in. When finding the right spot to
take pictures, try shooting from different angles and positions that combine
the use of artificial and natural lighting. Consider opening the windows or
adjusting the curtains. Move pieces of furniture and objects around to create
balance.
Use the Right Camera Equipment
Taking great photos takes skill, but using the
right lens helps make an image look better. Wide-angle lenses, for instance,
allow you to capture large spaces with more details. This means you can make
spaces feel more spacious, even though they’re a bit tight in reality. By using
a wide-angle lens, you can show the entire property and make any space look
ample and welcoming.
On top of using the right lens, make sure you
have your tripod with you so your camera is stable when taking shots. Using a
tripod can help you keep your images as clear as possible so you can avoid
taking blurry photos.
Shoot Now, Edit Later
Having the proper equipment is only one part
of the equation. The right image editing skills lets you enhance the shots
you’ve just taken. Master the art of editing and boost the aesthetic appeal of
your photos using Photoshop, Lightroom, or other software. You can also give
your images an impressive touch by performing color correction, adjusting
clarity, straightening lines, evening out the light, playing with hue and
saturation, and more.
Photography Skills Still Beat the
Latest Gadgets
Several tools and techniques are available for
real estate marketing. Some agents even use augmented reality and virtual
reality to sell properties. And while this type of technology can help you sell
better, you don’t have to keep up with the latest gadgets to increase sales.
Knowing how to take great photos is already enough for your marketing strategy.
It also pays to remind yourself that Rome
wasn’t built in a day. Good photography takes time. Once you get the hang of
positioning your camera, manipulating the lighting, and using the right
resources, your listings are bound to attract the attention of future
homeowners.
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