Home : Blogs : Jane E. Haas : Jane's Blog

DON'T BLAME THE PHOTOGRAPHER!

Oh, and if the listing doesn't sell... DON'T BLAME THE PHOTOGRAPHER!

I am a professional phoographer, as well as a realtor, and I shoot for many other agents. On many occasions, home owners, who refuse to price their house to sell, instead blame the photographer now! There is one house in particular, a new construction for around $4 mil that has been doing this. It's been on while under construction and once that was finished, the hired me in to take photos. At first they were thrilled, saying how fabulous th ephotos were and loved the virtual tour I did as well. Now, after several brokers open houses and public open houses, and lots of money spent on advertising (that's also an excuse - they want monthly ads in unique homes, pinnacle, and several other high end mags), the house still isn't sold.

So we've photographed this house so many times and every time the owners say the same thing - at first love them, then blame the photos! lol Now they want to try another photographer who charges 4 times what I charge. I really fell bad for the agent, because no matter what she says, they blame everything but the price! And this is draining her wallet too since the company doesn't pay for all the extras!

So, in these cases, what would you do? How would you handle an extremeley high maintenance client like this. And let me tell you - it's a very seasoned agent specializing in luxury properties that has this listing. So this has nothing to do with experience. I've seen it happen sooo many times lately!

Posted by Jane E. Haas on 06/04/2007 01:16 PM

Comments (12)

luxury, home, marketing, photographs, property, buying, selling, frustration

12 Comments on DON'T BLAME THE PHOTOGRAPHER!

JUN

2007

I honestly hope your agent has a 1 year minimum contract with the principle. I have not seen your photos but if you capture and create quality pictures you have done what you could. I have at times spoke to agents and builders about how to correctly optomize there sites, give them new ideas on how to market there listings on the net. Especially in ways not being done commonly. Normally companies charge alot for the info and they know I care about helping them with there sale. I always tell them the faster they sell, the more work I get from them in return. If the price is unrealistic then it is just that. There is no perfect photo or quality tour that is going to change that. The broom is one of the greatest inventions, but it is not going to sweep the floors without being used correctly. Maybe offering some alternative marketing advice may help. Sorry you are having a tough time here I hope they are not just using your agents wallet.

JUN

2007

She does, actually they had renewed the listing with her, but right after that, they were getting more and more demanding. I realize high end home owners expect higher end advertising, but this is crazy. As I said, its becoming a common occurance, the demands for print advertising in magazines, home buyer books (which are also quite costly), weekly newspaper advertising, featured spots on realtor.com (again very costly). I bet if someone put out a magazine of high end homes with an affordable ad rate they'd make a hell of a lot more money than the ones that cost $900 per 3x5 or 4x6 ad (common in many magazines.

JUN

2007

Seller's will influnce the priceing of a property. Agents need to do their CMA's and keep thier clients update often. I feel the pictures are fine. Just like the agent. We have had a great year thus far. All my personal listings have sold are under contract (a good and bad thing). My option is to price it right from the beginning and get the puppy sold. Great Post.

Well, in some markets you can price it well, but the luxury market it a whole other monster. They do tend to be on longer and well, markets can change. It's just a matter of getting homeowners to understand that. Some just don't want to hear it and blame everything but the price.

I am a Realtor/Photographer also, and I absolutely agree. Actually dealing with someone right now who didn't like some of the shots, but it truly was the layout and cleanliness of the place.

Agents should remember also that the pics should get them in the door for them to sell the home. It is very rare that pictures can ever sell a place on their own.

Troy Heffner - Marina Del Rey, CA

Someone needs to bring some reality to the sellers, or walk away. At the initial appointment we discuss our marketing plan, what we do and what we DON'T do, and why. If they want more, we'll be happy to do the layout and pass on any discounts, but the sellers would pay for those ads they want but we don't. If they won't price it right, or if they're too high maintenance: NEXT!

OCT

2007

Jane: I just started a new group here in the Rain. I thought it would be fun to share junk and interesting stuff. Maybe you can auction it off or just put it here for a cheap price for a fellow "Rainer" to enjoy. After all, we are a community.

Dust off the old Hopkins tapes, the Talking Houses, or anything that you want to sell, trade or even give away. Reduce, reuse, recycle and have fun.

Please join:

http://activerain.com/groups/selljunk

NOV

2007

Troy is correct, if everything (marketing) is spelled out from the initial visit they should pay for what ever extra they are demanding. If the agent is not totally comfortable with that then he/she could promise reimbursement at closing.

NOV

2007

Jane, people are just reaching nowadays for answers...they tend to point the finger at the first one they can. i've seen sone of your photos...you do excellent work...

Jane, I have been on that end of the stick. I had to reshoot a home because the sellers thought that it was the pictures. Their home was outdated! A Master bedroom with green and metallic silver vertical strips, in a brothel maybe, but not in a home in 2007.

FEB

2008

Hi Jane,

I just looked at your photography website. If those photos are representative of what you are giving your real estate clients then they've got no beef.

You should be getting a couple grand a day for that work.

Jay Groccia

OnSite Studios

NOV

2008

I think that in this uncertain real estate climate we will see more of this. Also luxury homes do generally take longer to sell simply because there are less potential buyers in any given area. I know that about a year the average time on market for luxury listings in an area near my home it was 13 months. I haven't checked recently but I suspect that it has only gotten longer. I think that great professional photographs are a requirement when listing this type of property but listings in some of those magazines you mentioned are probably also necessary. I think more important though is having access to a list and contact info for potential buyers, or Realtor who would represent those buyers, and be aggressively marketing to that list.

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?