One of the biggest mistakes a For Sale by Owner or Flat Fee Broker listing can make is not spending the $100-$150 on professional pictures.
First impressions are essential. Where are buyers getting their first impressions of your property? Pictures.
Realtor.org states that 92% per cent of homebuyers use the Internet as part of their home search. If someone shopping for a home isn’t sold on the images they see online, they will more than likely move on to the next property in their search. With so much research performed online, eye-catching photos are essential to getting homebuyers through the door.
On top of that, property photos are a critical factor in determining the selling price of a home, how quickly it sells and whether it sells at all. This is not just limited to homes ranging above $1 million. Studies have shown anything from $200,000 and above benefits from professional photographs. Listings with professional photos can sell faster and for more money!
Professional photographs can cost anywhere from $150 upwards to thousands of dollars depending on different factors. Some of the factors that dictate cost are the area of the country you live in, the size of the house, the number of photos to be taken, the art direction (perfect angles, lighting, scouting before the shoot, etc.) pre-shoot staging, and enhancing photos after they have been taken.
Professional photos are well worth the investment, but if you are on a very tight budget and need to take photographs of your own here are some guidelines to follow.
Give yourself time to prepare for your photo day by doing some of the suggestions listed below. Really analyze your house and what you want to showcase about it. Look at your rooms from different angles trying to focus on the positives of the room. Schedule 1-2 hours for your photo day to make sure your house is ready and that you aren’t rushed while photographing.
Clean up/Tidy up: Take the time to make your beds, clear dishes out of the sink, and clear countertops of clutter.
DO NOT TAKE PICTURES AT NIGHT. Take pictures during the day with window treatments open, all of the lights on and fans off.
Remember you really only need about 20 or so pictures, including interior and exterior. This can obviously vary depending on size of your house. The thing to remember is that picture overkill doesn’t equate to a faster sale.
Declutter, Declutter, Declutter…did I say Declutter? Less is more. On the flip side if sellers are moving out prior to putting it for sale, it is suggested they take pictures of the home while it is still furnished. If you are just not skilled at decorating or arranging a room try and find a friend or family member that is and will help you.
Once you have taken your photos take the time to sit down and choose the right photos. If you have the ability to enhance your photos, you can play with that to put your best foot forward. Be sure to retake any photos that just didn’t come out as well as they could have.
A potential homebuyer spends a lot of time shopping for houses by looking at photos. You should take the same care when posting pictures of your property. Hiring a professional photographer or spending time doing the best you can yourself has tremendous value.
Be sure to download our pre-photo shoot checklist at Falaya.com or visit our vendor partner Imoto Photo at Imoto.com to book your professional shoot today!
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The Ultimate Guide to Preparing your Home for Sale
