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Before & After-The benefits to professional photography

By
Real Estate Agent with Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd.

I have been reading other posts and giving feedback recently and found I am often referring to the importance of good listing pictures.  I truly believe that professional photography is the foundation of real estate advertising.  At Joy Daniels Real Estate Group our advertising starts with our professional photography.  After all, curb appeal no longer starts at the curb!  It starts online.  A buyers first impression will begin with the pictures they view online and if they are not impressed with what they see, it's very easy to say "next" and move on to the next available home. 

Sellers need to be particular about their pictures because it matters!  No dogs, cats, clutter, people, children, magnets on refrigerators, personal pictures. . . in fact, less is more when it comes to:  countertops, dressers, walls, windows, landscaping, rugs, vanities, furniture, doors, etc. 

I thought I would share some good examples of the power of pictures that our photographers have been able to capture in our Harrisburg area, Central Pennsylvania listings.  You can see addtional pictures of our home listings at www.joydaniels.com

bedroom

Pictures need to highligh the pluses in a room such as tray (or other fancy) ceilings, floor to ceiling fireplaces, lofts, windows, countertops, floors and other features that make the room "pop!"

 living room

The right picture is a crucial tool to get the most buyers in your door!  If you have a home to sell in the Harrisburg or Central PA area, please let us show you how we can best "picture" your home.

patio

Posted by

Joy

Joy Daniels, GRI, ABR, CSP, e-PRO
JOY DANIELS REAL ESTATE GROUP, LTD
2793 Old Post Road, Suite 200
Harrisburg, PA  17110

(717) 695-3177  office - Call TODAY and let me help you find your dream home!

www.joydaniels.com

Joy@JoyDaniels.com - Email TODAY and let me help you find your dream home!

What is your home worth?  Find out at MLS Market Snapshot

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Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Wow - great photos. It takes less than a second for a person to reject a home while sorting through dozens of listings. Your photos definitely make a potential buyer stop and investigate.

Aug 17, 2012 10:01 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Joy, an excellent point. ". . curb appeal no longer starts at the curb!  It starts online." This is so true, buyers are now getting that first impression sitting at home on their computers. Nice photos, they do make a big difference.

Aug 17, 2012 10:25 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Brokers, Agents, REALTORS don't let their friends in the real estate industry post poor pictures, lousy video. Be honest, let them know how to sharpen up, take away the slack!

Aug 17, 2012 10:37 PM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Good stuff here!!  I couldn't agree more.  We just had a professional photographer join our team as a new real estate agent.  Guess who takes all of our pictures now??  

Aug 17, 2012 10:45 PM
Chuck Carstensen
RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN
Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

It makes a big difference and I have been one to hire a photographer. I simply cant take good photos.

Aug 17, 2012 10:53 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Great changes in your photos, Joy.  We started using a professional photographer last year, and the pictures are so nice.  I love what she comes up with.  It does make a difference.

Aug 17, 2012 11:01 PM
Athina Boukas
Virginia Capital Realty - Richmond, VA
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

Poor photos are one of my pet peeves and your examples prove the difference that smart photography (and a little staging) can make. 

Even with a little talent, an agent usually doesn't have the camera lens to capture the rooms in their best light.

Aug 17, 2012 11:15 PM
Terrie Leighton
Ferrari-Lund Real Estate - Reno, NV
Reno Real Estate Agent ~ Selling Homes in Reno

I always hire a professional to take pictures of my properties, I simply can't take good pictures! 

Aug 17, 2012 11:30 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

When you optimize anything...you hit peak performance...no higher than that can be attained...

Aug 18, 2012 12:08 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Joy -- an excellent post that clearly shows the power of professional photography.   Incredible differences!

Aug 18, 2012 12:27 AM
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

Wow - first of all i need to let all of you know how overwhelmed I am with your response to my post.  Thank you!  I was out to dinner last night and am now just getting to my Active Rain and wow. . . it's very exciting.  I am happy to see that pictures are very important to most too!

I should have asked how many of you take your own pictures and how many people use professional photographers.  I can tell by reading your feedback that there is a mix - I bet those of you that take your own pictures have better equipment than your cell phone!  :)

Staging did play a part in the improvement of the pictures (bedroom w/freshly painted walls and new bedding, the family room didn't have built-ins with the first listing and did with the our listing and they used a smaller patio table with an open umbrella on the deck picture). . . all the pieces fit together to make a beautiful picture.   Desirable pictures create desire in buyers! 

 

 

Aug 18, 2012 12:38 AM
Cameron Radice
Web Design, Stock Photos, Web Design - Burbank, CA
RadiceFilm Photography HD Video, Photography, Virtual Tours

A picture is worth a thousand words!  Excellent blog Joy and we couldn't agree more!

Aug 18, 2012 04:30 AM
Anonymous
Marie Kratsios

I never cease to be amazed at the poor quality of photos that agents allow to be used for their listings.  Just this week I saw a new listing come up in our MLS and every photo was out of focus.  Joy, you are so right that the first impression starts long before curb appeal.  The interesting thing about your post is that your "Before" photos are actually better than many of the photos I see posted with many listings.  But the "After" shots taken by a professional photographer really make the property sing.

 

Aug 18, 2012 07:15 AM
#45
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

Feel free to use this blog (the pictures, etc.) for marketing your professional photography to realtors Cameron!

 

Thanks Marie.   I never thought of that, but you are right, these before pictures are not "too" bad . . . except when compared to professional pictures!  Thanks for your feedback.

Aug 18, 2012 08:55 AM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Joy - Pictures are definitely important, and it looked to me like the rooms were painted as well.

Aug 18, 2012 02:07 PM
David Grbich
Realty One Group - www.FindCARealEstate.com - San Juan Capistrano, CA
Orange County Real Estate - 949-500-0484

Joy - great example of what better staging and photos can do for a home sale. Regards Dave

Aug 20, 2012 12:46 AM
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

Thanks Christine and David for your feedback on my post - you are right, it's definitely a mix of staging and good photography. 

Aug 20, 2012 07:29 AM
Monique Keith
Ahwatukee, AZ
Ahwatukeenulls Favorite Realtor, Buyers Agent with

Thank you Joy for the tips! I do have a great high end camera that I use to take photos with and it makes a big difference with my listings. Also lesson on how to work the higher end camera's help I found. 

Aug 27, 2012 05:10 AM
Mike Crosby
Mike Crosby Realty - Placentia, CA
Placentia- Yorba Linda Real Estate - 714-742-2897

Good examples of the power of pictures.  HOw do you select a Professional Photographer?

Oct 07, 2013 02:56 AM
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

Hi Mike,

I was blessed and found a young man from my church that I knew did wedding photography and I asked him if he would try a house or two . . . and he agreed and it's all history now.  He works for us full time with benefits and we have the best pictures in all of central pa! :)

Oct 11, 2013 08:10 AM