Ar_home_b_search
 

OK, so this is actually more of a rant than a tip, but there is some advice buried in here once you get past the two paragraphs of rant. 

One of the things that annoyed me when I was searching for a new home three years ago was the lack of variety in the advertising of a home. It was second to the annoyance with how few listings had multiple photos. It's three years later and I still see it everywhere. Here's what I mean by variety. You see a photo of a home in the newspaper, and then go to the link printed in the ad. You see the same photo of the front of the home. Or, you see a home on Realtor.com and there is a photo of the front of the house, you click on the Realtor link and go to see the house on their website and you get the exact same photo or even the exact same SET of photos. There is virtually no added value in digging deeper on 80% of the homes listed. All you get is the same shots and the same information. 

Why does this bother me so much? Because in this day of digital photography it takes about 30 seconds per scene and costs absolutely nothing to create added value by having different angles and images in different advertising media. As a consumer, I want more when I dig deeper. I don't want to be led down a path the essentially takes me to the exact same place.

That's the rant. Here's the advice. Take multiple photos of each scene you shoot for a home. Use one set in your print, one set on Realtor.com and another on your own website. Here's an example of just the front of a house. If I see a different angle each place I'm taken, I FEEL like I'm getting more information each time. For me, and I'm sure others, that's important. And it could be a difference maker for you.

Different view 1 Different view 2 Differnt view 3 Differnt view 4 

Take a few extra moments to give yourself a shot at presenting in a way the gives the consumer more and more as they dig deeper and deeper into your home marketing efforts. 

 

25 Comments on Give The Consumer More Views!

NOV
30
2006
406,573 Points 63 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Just another idea, if a listing is on the market 60+ days, change the photos and marketing text, it's stale.

I adopted the added value photos, visual tour, scanned floor plans and scanned site plans after my own home hunt a few years ago.  Shopping for a home 2,000+ miles away I learned:

  • Photos Matter
  • Visual Tour Matters
  • Area code + phone number is crucial

The home I ended up purchasing was a home I ripped from the showing book.  I told my agent to skip it, it's ugly.  She insisted.  The home was actually the best deal compared to the others we saw.  I think the photos may have actually been what caused the home NOT to sell.  Fortunately, my agent had previewed the home and knew it was for me.

 

1:32pm • #1
656,959 Points 93 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Great advice!
1:35pm • #2

I love those blue skies!

The photography group is allowing me to see things from an entirely different perspective (no joke intended!).

It's important to show what the buyer might find informative, and the seller will appreciate the time taken. If a realtor doesn't have that gift, perhaps it's time to bring in a professional.

Dawn Shaffer

 

 

1:58pm • #3
656,959 Points 93 Featured Posts Outside Blog

It's California. We always have blue skies.

: ) 

2:03pm • #4
122,375 Points
There were and are so many lazy real estate agents that because of the sellers market the last few years, they didn't care if they had multiple pics or even A pic on the listing sheet, they knew it would get looked at and sold. I just hope their Lazy habit hasn't carried into the current market.
2:12pm • #5
Localism Sponsor

Jeff,

You sure have been busy blogging since you signed up!  Just a quick comment about how much I like Real Estate Shows.  I find it quick & easy to create shows, and a great value!

3:20pm • #6
656,959 Points 93 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Russ, thanks! My opinion is that if you're going to do something, then do it with gusto. This is how I do gusto. :)

Thank you for making me aware of this site! I am enjoying the conversations and the value the members bring to one another. Very impressive. 

3:34pm • #7
DEC
01
2006
597,481 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
It's definitely a plus to have different sets of photos in each place, but you may want to also have the best photo in all the places, just so the potential buyer knows it's the same house and doesn't have to guess.
5:35am • #8
2 Featured Posts

I agree, picures are really important, the more the better.  I assume the house must be awful if they aren't even bothering to show off pictures in the listing.  As a home stager I always take lots of pictures and forward them to the agent to use to market the house.

As Chris suggests, I really think it is effective to change the photos over time- as a consumer this works for me- fresh perspective.

11:59am • #9
DEC
02
2006
212,317 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Tip!

So easy to do! And what excitment it can build in a buyer eyes.

2:10pm • #10
656,959 Points 93 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Craig... coming from you. I'm truly honored. Your recent post of photo suggestions was incredibly well done.

 

Nice nose, by the way.

6:19pm • #11
DEC
03
2006
Good stuff, Jeff!
4:53pm • #12
DEC
04
2006
it was really a nice article !
8:25am • #13
DEC
10
2006
656,959 Points 93 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Steve and Raman, thanks. It's nice to see that so many share this opinion. With a little nudging, perhaps we can move the needle a bit.
10:12pm • #14
DEC
11
2006
583,368 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Jeff,

It is always great to get a fresh look on things. We have to always think of ways that we can do things better and this is on of those ways. Thanks

11:37am • #15
656,959 Points 93 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Jim & Maria, it's hard to break out of old habits and the habit of taking one shot of each scene is a carry over from traditional photography days. Those of us who can remember back that far have to break ourselves of those old habit.
11:47am • #16
DEC
18
2006
1,049,854 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Found your company website before I knew about your blog.... It's really good and of course, I thought it was a fair price as well. Thanks for sharing this.
11:43am • #17
656,959 Points 93 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Lorenna, thank you. What you'll really be impressed by is how easy it is. That's why you'll use it! 
12:00pm • #18
DEC
22
2006
1,049,854 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Jeff, I love your product. I'm so surprised how user-friendly it is. I signed up for a trial version, absolutely love it. I have some plans to use this to update my SOI (more than just a listing tool).... and the best thing, I get to share my gift of photography with my family and friends.

Here's the one my friends absolutely love!!!! Christmas Wish
9:32am • #19
656,959 Points 93 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Loreena, thank you for sharing this! I hope you don't mind, but I went in and put a few hard returns in your titles. Take a look and you'll see. It only changes the appearance of the titles on screen, but it helps with the readability. Thank you again for sharing this. Big smile from out here in California. Merry Christmas!
9:47am • #20
JAN
17
2007
Multiple photos are a MUST !  Taking the time to produce good quality photos is essential.  Great Advice.
10:31am • #21
656,959 Points 93 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Mo' photos betta.
7:12pm • #22
FEB
10
2007
Wow. This is great advice. I think I need to do this for my staging photos as well. I need more shots from more angles. 
5:26pm • #23
APR
17
2009
284,607 Points 37 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Jeff, Someone provided this link in Missy's recent post.  Wow, 2006 but still as true as ever!

1:20pm • #24
FEB
02
2010
548,980 Points 110 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hubba...

No response needed. I don't feel like playing in the rain but I do need my quota for the day.

Expect to see me on your blog 10 times :)

TLW...ROAR!

5:25pm • #25

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Jeff Turner

Santa Clarita, CA

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Real Estate Shows

Office Phone: (661) 244-5812

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Jeff Turner helps people grow their business through the effective use of emerging technologies. I am the President of Zeek Interactive and Founder of RealEstateShows.com. Father of 6. Husband of 1.

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