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Whoa, Back It Up! The Camera, I mean.

By
Home Stager with Selling By Design-Staging

As part of my continuing education as a home staging professional in Fresno, Ca for Selling By Design-Staging I like to keep up with local MLS listings. Lately I've noticed that  a lot of the photos are up close shots of details in the home. Highlighting the home's finishes, granite, back splashes, unusual or expensive floor tile designs,stained glass windows etc. is always a good idea, but most of the pictures should be shots of the whole room. The detail shots should focus in on what has already been photographed in a wide shot.

I just saw a listing in which only one out of 14 shots was of a whole room. The others, all closeups were pretty, but confusing. There is nothing to show off the square footage, windows or room flow. I couldn't tell if it was staged or even cleaned. Hmm, maybe that was the point of the limited shots. I don't know, but the pics would certainly not inspire me to visit the property.

Before they make the trip to see a listing most buyers like to see complete pictures of the interior and exterior of a home. A few closeups highlighting eye catching features are fine, just make sure the rest of the home is the main attraction.

So back up that camera and catch the whole room.

 

Cute chairs, but I'not in the market for furniture. I need to see the room.

Great granite! Where's the rest of the kitchen?

 

Posted by

Linda Thompson

Fresno, CA- home staging and redesign services

                  Selling By Design-Staging

Selling By Design-Staging specializes in giving homes an edge on the competition by creating atmospheres that are appealing, inviting and that say to potential buyers "Welcome home." For more information we invite you to visit our web site at   http://www.sellingbydesign-staging.net


 linda@sellingbydesign-staging.com

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Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Linda ~ good point!  You've hit on one of my pet peeves as I've seen that too many times in MLS online photos ....  details of things like floors, carpeting section, a faucet, a washer or dryer, etc. PLEASE!!  Show us the room.  Use a wide-angle lens and know how to use it.  If not, then please hire a professional :-))

Jun 12, 2012 11:14 AM
Linda Thompson
Selling By Design-Staging - Fresno, CA

Hi Maureen,

Glad you agree. Too many "vignette" pics make me suspicious that the rooms are either small or cluttered.

Hi Valerie,

Thanks for your comments. Exactly, what does the house look like?

Jun 14, 2012 02:58 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Linda- I have to agree.  Kathy Nielsen Atlanta Stager, does an excellent job in her staging photos of some close-ups of some of the accessories, but that's an extra.  An MLS photo needs to show the space.  You're right, buyers aren't going to buy the furnishings and accessories.  

Jun 14, 2012 11:18 AM
Linda Thompson
Selling By Design-Staging - Fresno, CA

Thanks for your comments,Kathy. I agree Kathy Nielsen does great vignette shots. They are professional looking and lovely. She also shows pics of the rooms in their entirity which is the main thing buyers want.

Jun 16, 2012 08:29 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I love the closeup shots, but as Kathy stated, they should be an extra, a bonus, not the only shot of the room!

Jun 16, 2012 10:16 AM
Linda Thompson
Selling By Design-Staging - Fresno, CA

I totally agree, Sharon.

Jun 16, 2012 01:41 PM