Real Estate Listing Photos That Put Money in Your Pocket!
Posted by Lisa Kohl on Friday, April 24th, 2015 at 4:09pm
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. When a picture is about real estate, it could translate into thousands of dollars.
The reality is that 92% of all Boise home buyers begin their search online & have most likely vetted your house before even looking at it in person. Real estate listing photography is a critical factor in the selling price of your home, how quickly it sells, and whether it sells at all.
A recent study found that homes with listing pictures taken by pros sell for $3,400 to $11,200 more than their listed prices. It was also found that homes with professional photography sold faster. Median priced homes, with quality listing photos, sold three weeks faster than homes listed with amateur photos. With numbers like that- the importance of your home’s listing photos is paramount. They need to captivate your audience (your buyers) & tell a story of your home. First Impressions are everything when selling your home.
Tips for Great Real Estate Listing Photos
- Good Curb appeal – The very first picture sets the tone, usually the front of the home. If it’s March & you still have the Christmas décor up that all should be removed. The front yard should be cleared of all debris, trees & bushes trimmed, paint touched up as needed. Adding mulch & new plants in flower beds is also a very cost effective way to spruce a place up. Take the time to hose off window screens, cobwebs & concrete.
- Clean, Clean, Clean – A listed home needs to be cleaned from top to bottom, this includes all flooring, fixtures, windows- everything. Buyers don’t want to walk through a home filled with someone else’s grime & mentally have a detailed list of what needs to be done before even moving in. If you’re short on time there are several cleaning companies that can help get the job done, their services are worth the investment.
- Declutter – I suggest to my clients that if it’s something you know you won’t use in the next 30 days, store it neatly out of sight. If you have small children, storage containers in the play areas are your best friend. Who can see the all the great features of your home while covered in clutter.
- Staging – You want to show off the space, not what’s in it. When it comes to furniture, for example, highlight the most attractive pieces in your home. Set the good china out on the dining room table to make the room seem perfect for family meals. Similarly, organize the couches and chairs in the living room to make the space warm and inviting.
- Be proactive – and review your real estate pictures prior to listing. Some agents will take the photos themselves or hire a professional photographer. Make sure the photos are showing the home in the best light possible, literally. Certain times of the day will be highlight different sides of your home. Equally important is the order of your photos, they should flow as if someone was walking thru it.
Often, after buyers have toured your home, they return to their computers and look at the property again online. This time, they can put together the floor plan and understand how the home flows and how each room relates to the next. High-quality photos that show the home well will keep them interested.
If you or your agent don’t have a high quality digital camera and real estate photography experience, consider hiring a professional who does. While it takes some work upfront to get your home on the market – the work you put in translates into more traffic which results into solid offers. When you sell your home with the We Know Boise real estate team, we’ll provide free professional photography to make sure your home looks its best.
Lisa Kohl
Lisa Kohl is a full-time real estate professional in Boise, Idaho. Lisa’s experience as a Realtor helps her clients successfully complete real estate transactions without a hitch. Questions about this post, send us and message. We love receiving questions from our readers. They allow us to focus our content on issues that are important and relevant to sellers and buyers in Idaho.
Leave A Comment