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Selling your New Orleans Condo! Taking good photos is a must! People want to see what you are selling.

By
Real Estate Agent with Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La.

Selling your New Orleans Condo! Print advertising is doing little to sell your Condo! People want to see it!

 Selling your Condo

      I stopped doing newspaper ads  6 years ago when I noticed no one would call on them.  The ads in the newspaper and in the real estate magazines are expensive and give you little or no return on your investment.  The small chance to sell via print ads is getting smaller by the year.  Wonder why newspapers and the post office are in trouble.  The Internet has taken over as the place to start your New Orleans condo search.

       Six years ago  is about the same time I got interested in websites and how they can promote your properties.  What can a person really learn about a property, only that it is precious and the very basics from print.  People want to see photos first.  You get showings if you can show off your property in the best possible light.

     The wide angle digital camera has become a "must have tool" in the current real estate business.   This leads into some the most  important way in which you need to promote you properties in the Internet age.  Make sure you take great photos that can high light the best features of your New Orleans condo.  The photos should promote what you are selling.  Its a lifestyle presentation in many cases.  You should capture the common areas of the condo association as well the interior features.

211-cotton-mill-condos-kitchen-breakfast

          In this photo I wanted to show the high ceilings, open floor plan, wood floors and the natural light from the large windows.  I figured it was also helpful to write on the photos to point out a feature at a time.  More than one feature tended to clutter the photo.

     

211-cotton-mill-condo-breakfast-area

       Trying shots from different angles gives you a different look and gives you a different feel for the size of the rooms and other features.  You can always take a lot of photos and come back to clean up your mistakes.  I am always amazed that I never take enough.  Next time I will have to clean up the sink  as the photo tends to capture it all.   As a seller you should make every effort to have the property in tip top shape as this is the start of the selling process.   Start well and the chances go up in finishing well.

211-cotton-mill-condos-pool

       Getting the photos of the better features of the common areas are important as well.  In this photo I wanted to show the historic nature of the complex as well as the pool and courtyard.  I took this from a second story window as I had never seen this angle before.  Each time I try to get some of the features I may have missed on previous shots.

     You can put up to 12 photos in the New Orleans MLS so an agent should use them wisely.  Using both the best features of the interior and common areas should give the viewer a feel for what they are getting or would like to look at.  A "picture is worth a thousand words" is never more true in real estate as in today's Internet marketing.

     I cannot only use the photos for the New Orleans MLS but can post them on Craig's list, local Blogs, websites, flyers, slideshows and even Face Book.  Is your agent doing this for you?

Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Eric,  Well, you're preaching to the choir here.  I recently upgraded to a DSLR with a 10-20 wide angle and strobe light to get better interior shots.

Sep 28, 2009 03:00 AM
Photo Photo
Chicago, IL

Eric,

Good tips and good ideas. I was surprised to see that you quit the newspapers 6 years ago. In several markets the newspapers have bundled their packages with Internet adds to sell their services. Good work maximizing your abilities and all of your resources for your clients...I am sure they appreciate it!

Sep 28, 2009 03:59 AM
Eric Bouler
Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La. - New Orleans, LA
Listening to your Needs

Ian- I just hated to waste the money-As an agent we can get good coverage with sites, blogs and free placements. Next is the slideshows where you can show entire neighborhoods if they want to see.

Bill- I have an Olympus with a 14-42 and has 14 megapixels for croping any small detail.  Check out the new slide shows from picnik. I put them on the blog with each listing. Google is treating these in Beta as a post.

Sep 28, 2009 06:25 AM
Will Nesbitt
Nesbitt Realty at Condo Alexandria - Alexandria, VA
Nesbitt Realty is a family-run brokerage.

Congrats on another featured post on Condo Benefits!

Sep 29, 2009 12:00 AM
Douglas Fischer
East Oahu Realty - Selling Honolulu, Hawaii Condos - Honolulu, HI

No photos, no lookers.......no buyers.  I'm always amazed viewing listings on the MLS with no pictures.

Sep 29, 2009 10:11 AM
Eric Bouler
Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La. - New Orleans, LA
Listening to your Needs

Debra-Certain areas are looking even better than before. However some areas will in my lifetime be a full community again. Roadwork is great!

Sep 30, 2009 01:41 AM