Looking to sell your home quick? The photos you post online might make the difference, so using a professional photographer to help you sell your home is a must.
In an internal case study, IMOTO—a company creating real estate photography for both sellers and REALTORS®—compared 350 listings using their professional photography against 350 similar listings in the same ZIP code.
Listings using IMOTO’s professional photography sold 50% faster and 39% closer to the original listing price than similar homes without professional photos.
The statistics department at Latter & Blum, a New Orleans-based real estate agency, also found listings using IMOTO’s professional photography were viewed 118% more than comparable listings.
And while professional photography may help you sell your house faster—or for closer to list price—it still all depends on who you hire and how you use the photos.
photo by realboone.com
Tips to Find The Right Photographer
For real estate photography, you’ll need a specialized photographer.
“A lot of professional photographers seek to create artistic renditions,” said Darryl Glade, CEO of IMOTO. “You really want photos done from the perspective of marketing and selling the house“.
To find the right photographer, Glade suggests looking through portfolios posted online for housing shots done in a style you like.
Once you find a potential photographer, ask them what equipment they’ll be using.
“Having a full frame camera is very important,” Glade added. “Inferior equipment can create distortion.”
And don’t overlook software. Most photos are enhanced after taking, and a good photographer should know what software to use to create the best-looking photos.
The Small Bathroom Test
To really get an idea of what a photographer is capable of, look for photos of small rooms.
“A great way to see if a photographer is capable is to see if there is a photograph of a small bathroom such as a half bath,” Glade noted. “Those are very tricky to take and show that is a valuable room in the house if you’re not a good photographer.”
If the photographer you’re considering doesn’t already have a similar photo in a portfolio, ask them to take one of your half bath.
photo by realboone.com
The Photos You Need
To make sure you’re getting the most for your money, you’ll need photos that appeal most to buyers. The first photo a photographer should focus on is an exterior of your home.
“That first photo is the most important photo, because it is going to be highlighted in search engines,” Glade emphasized.
After you have an enticing exterior shot, make sure the photographer covers these key areas that help sell your home:
- Kitchen
- Master bedroom
- Master bathroom
- Unique features like custom mantles, leaded-glass windows or built-in bookshelves
- Small areas like half-baths and laundry rooms
photo by realboone.com
And don’t forget to consider how your REALTOR® will use the photos. Many listings are posted in the Multiple Listing Service, which handles photos differently than other home-buying databases.
“The MLS system best shows off horizontal photographs,” Glade concluded. “A good photographer should have an understanding of that.”
Angela Colley writes about real estate and all things renting and moving for realtor.com. Her work has appeared in outlets including TheStreet, MSN, and Yahoo.
Original post at http://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/why-you-might-need-professional-photos-to-sell-your-home/
photo by realboone.com
