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Questions For Interviewing Listing Agents: Got A Wide Angle Lens?

By Liz and Bill Spear

Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com SAL.2002007747

February 18, 2011 12:45 AM

wide angle camera Questions For Interviewing Listing Agents: Got A Wide Angle Lens?

This question might not seem like the most obvious question to ask, but the answer to this question is going to give you a very quick gauge to how well your prospective listing agent is going to be able to market your home.

Because here's the bottom line, it no wide angle doesn't matter HOW many different marketing avenues your agent uses, if your home looks bad when the buyers find you, they're clicking their mouse to the next home!

So why should you care if the agent has a wide angle lens for their camera or not?

Unless you've got HUGE rooms, the camera is just not going to be capable of capturing more than a sliver of the actual room. What you get is what we refer to as "Craigslist furniture ad pictures" entered into MLS to market a home. Have you ever seen the pictures and ALL you seem to see is THE BED, and almost nothing else? You can bet that agent/photographer WASN'T using a wide angle lens.

Here's an example of what we're writing about.
This picture was taken with a typical camera, no wide angle. Mostly bed and not much else, right? And you've probably seen MUCH worse haven't you??

None wide angle shot

Now THIS next picture WAS taken with a wide angle lens.

With wide angle lens

Didn't know the room had an extra bump out and a high ceiling did you? Which picture gives the buyers MORE information that might make them want to come SEE the house?

Which REALTORS® actually SOLD this house? You get ONE guess! :)

You've got questions, we've got answers! Just give us a call if you're thinking about buying or selling a Warren County home!

Serving Warren County's residential real estate needs,
Liz and Bill aka BLiz

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Scott Hayes

(512) 786-8300 - Austin, TX

Realty Austin, Broker Associate

Bill,

I could agree, or suggest more. Picture are so important to me that I usually hire a photographer for wide angle HD photos. One day, I'll take a class to learn how to work with a wide angle lens.

It really is that important.

Feb 18, 2011 02:34 AM

Liz Wallace

Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY

Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

With an entry level home usually starting at 500K I request that my agents use a professional. They have a better eye and better equipment.

Feb 18, 2011 02:50 AM

Liz and Bill Spear

Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH

Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Scott, We're lucky, Liz has a real artist's eye, and that helps with the photo composition. She's got a real knack for knowing the best place in the room or outside to stand to get the shot that presents best :)

Liz, At 500k here you're getting a pretty good sized McMansion. If we were going further up market into the top 5% of homes here, we might at that point consider a professional.

Feb 18, 2011 02:59 AM

Barbara Hensley

RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX

Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Bill & Liz...I love this one! This simple little question sets the agent a part from those that do not have (and may not even know the difference it makes) the right camera. Great listing tool!

Feb 18, 2011 03:35 AM

Liz and Bill Spear

Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH

Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Barbara, We're in a trade that is heavily about setting ourselves apart from 6,000 of our closest competitors. Unfortunately, most consumers don't know the questions to ask to make sure they're getting one of the skilled agents that can make their home look it's best. This post is just an attempt to give them one more question to ask to be successful with that interview :)

Feb 18, 2011 03:41 AM

Chris Alston

Chris Alston (Keller Williams Realty, Silicon Valley, California) - Campbell, CA

Silicon Valley, California

THIS is exactly why I would hire you, and not me, to sell my own house. :)

Feb 18, 2011 04:00 AM

Liz and Bill Spear

Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH

Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Chris, You seem to have a pretty good knack with the camera from what we've seen! I assume you're heading up/down the highway for the big KW party?

Feb 18, 2011 04:06 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Bliz.....suggested....this is a great post and should be read by all listing agents.....the problem with some agents and their wide angle lenses is that they don't know how to use the setting and the photos are distorted....I hate that look....they put the distorted room in mls!!!

Feb 18, 2011 05:49 AM

Liz and Bill Spear

Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH

Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Barbara, Finding that balance between "fish eye" and just wider is critical. Thanks for the suggest! :)

Feb 18, 2011 05:50 AM

Donna Foerster

HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO

Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

So glad I read your post today Bliz! Your timing couldn't have been ANY better. I planning on purchasing a new camera VERY soon. Now I know the importance of a wide angle lense!

Feb 18, 2011 05:55 AM

Liz and Bill Spear

Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH

Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Donna, Isn't it funny how often something you're thinking about comes up on Active Rain? :)

Feb 18, 2011 06:00 AM

Kathryn Maguire

GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881 - Chesapeake, VA

Serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach

My professional photographer does. He is the guy I bring to every listing before it hits the market to create a VT. But I get your point. I hate it when agents cheap out with their marketing. It does make a difference!

Feb 18, 2011 06:35 AM

Liz and Bill Spear

Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH

Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Kathryn, You've MORE than got it covered! :) And that's all we're really saying, either have the tools and the skills yourself, or hire someone that does. It's crazy to risk not selling a home because it looks lame, but really isn't.

Feb 18, 2011 06:40 AM

Dawn A Fabiszak

Private Label Realty ( Denver metro area, Colorado - Aurora, CO

The Dawn of a New Real Estate Experience!

Bliz ~ a wide angel lense can make or break a photo, especially in small rooms.

Feb 18, 2011 07:20 AM

SentriLock Blogger

SentriLock, LLC - Cincinnati, OH

You made the list again! I'll be tweeting this out this weekend. Have a good one!

Feb 18, 2011 08:10 AM

Liz and Bill Spear

Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH

Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Dawn, The small rooms in particular are the killers. Once you go larger one might be able to get by without it, but even then it doesn't show all that it could.

Laura, Thanks! :)

Feb 18, 2011 01:49 PM

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN

Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Bliz, the problem with super wide angle lenses ( 10-20MM) is that most folks don't know how to use them correctly and forget that there is a virtual horizon that must be maintained to prevent distortion i.e. walls leaning in or out. Although the 2nd photo demonstrated your point, it would have been more effective had you gotten on your knees and set your horizon point about level with the tops of the bed posts. But then, what do I know...

Feb 19, 2011 01:02 AM

Liz and Bill Spear

Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH

Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Michael, That's actually a trick Liz has learned, she normally gets down low when snapping the shots. The sample is about a year ago, so it may be one that she didn't do that on...cobwebs in the brain :)

Thanks for the advice. You're a master photographer and much appreciated!

Feb 19, 2011 01:08 AM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Liz, I invested in a really good camera and a fabulous wide-angle lens. Then I switched companies - Evers has two full-time employees who take professional photos and do amazing brochures and mailers. And yes, it certainly does make a huge difference.

Feb 19, 2011 02:25 AM

Liz and Bill Spear

Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH

Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Pat, Having that expertise is fantastic! It's nice to be able to dazzle both the sellers and the buyers with high quality work :)

Feb 19, 2011 09:13 AM