Special offer

The Eyes Have It. What Do They See When They Look At Your Listing?

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

The Eyes Have It.  What Do They See When They Look At Your Listing?

 

When it comes to voting..."Aye" is affirmative.  "The ayes have it" means those who voted in favor won the vote.

When it comes to selling your New Hampshire house, you want all the positive votes you can get!

eyesToday's buyers let their eyes do the shopping....most begin their house search online.

 This is why MLS pictures are so important.  Buyers won't call for a showing if your MLS pictures don't catch their eye.

Selling your New Hampshire house requires visual marketing...emotionally appealing pictures that stand out from the others.

 Pictures say more to a buyer than words ever could.  Each room should be clearly defined, clutter free, and appear as spacious as possible.  Positive features should be highlighted.  Light, focus and angle are very important and could determine whether someone wants to take the next step and see your house in person.

 MLS pictures are a marketing tool.  They should work for you not against you.  

 

 The Eyes Have IT!

 Buyers will choose their new home based on what they see.

 What do they see when they look at your listing?

Comments(64)

Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Sharon, we agree 100%.  When we werre searching for our last home, it there were not 12 or more photos we moved on!

Sep 15, 2012 03:48 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Connie:  I think most people like their blog posts to be short and to the point.  None of us has the time to read lengthy posts.

Kimo:  I usually suggest hiring a professional.  Many agents are capable of taking great pictures and I always offer my "after" pictures free of charge to my clients....but the best photos are going to be taken by a professional photographer who specializes in real estate.

Sylvie:  If you don't have great pictures, you end up helping the competition to sell their houses!

Lyn:  If you don't care enough to show the house in it's best condition, with quality photos, then why should buyers think you have cared enough to maintain the home?

Valerie:  The power of preparation and presentation!

Mary Ann:  Those are always tough.  At least you have a seller willing to make some improvements.  Making it look as good as possible and hiring a professional photographer should result in some decent pictures.  It would be great if you could get some before & after pics to share with us.   Best of luck!

Julia:  Thank you!  

Bob:  I'm betting quantity wasn't the only determining factor.  I'm betting you also moved on if the pictures showed dated features or ugly paint colors or lack of maintenance.

 

Sep 15, 2012 04:02 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Taking good interior photos is an art  - and agents who don't have that particular artistic skill really should bring in a pro.

Sep 15, 2012 05:03 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Marte:  I made sure a professional photographer was used in the marketing of my home....I wouldn't have used an agent who didn't provide great photos.  

Sep 15, 2012 05:29 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Sharon, you chose a perfect title for this post.  Online professional photos are one of the most important marketing tools that we have.

Sep 15, 2012 04:56 PM
Anonymous
Rebecca Cree

Great blog!  I have a new camera and learning how to use it along with the wide angle lense.  Any advice on actually taking the after shots specifically regarding lighting and angle?  I am no photographer, but willing to learn. 

Sep 15, 2012 08:35 PM
#50
Brad Baylor
ERA Coup Agency - Milton, PA

Sharon - Many agents in my area don't take their own photos, but they don't have a pro do it either.  Just some lacky in the office because the agent is WAY to busy.  Unfortunately, many times, the photos don't appear for days.  I do all of my own work, and the pics go in the same day as the listing.

Sep 15, 2012 08:47 PM
Dana Basiliere
Rossi & Riina Real Estate - Williston, VT
Making deals "Happen"

Aye Aye Neighbor,

Sharon, Good post and spot on. If it doesn’t look good in the photos they are not going to want to see it. Here in Vermont we have everything from “stunning” photos to horrible photos that look like they were snapped by someone walking with their cell phone. I have seen them tilted, too dark, blurry and poor composition. Folks should list with an agent who #1 gets good photo results and #2 knows a good stager to have the home prepped.

 

Sep 15, 2012 10:27 PM
Vivian Gilbert
Home Staging by Vivian LLC - Potomac, MD
ASP, RESA

Aye Aye!

 

Vivian

Sep 15, 2012 10:53 PM
Steve Higgins
RE/MAX Kelowna - Kelowna, BC

Hi Sharon,

Good post! So many agents don't worry about the pictures, it makes me wonder. Without pictures clients feel there must be something wrong with the inside and don't want to waste their time going to see it.

Sep 15, 2012 11:46 PM
Joe LaVallie
HomeStreet Bank - Mountlake Terrace, WA
111363

Yep, good photos can make all the difference. Bad photos can also make the difference.

Sep 16, 2012 02:41 AM
Menlo Park Real Estate and Homes for Sale
Wende Schoof - Menlo Park, CA
WendeByTheBay.com - 650.504.0219 - SF Peninsula

Sharon, this is a really good way to explain the important impact professional staging has on a home.  What you do is essential to a top dollar sale here on the San Francisco Peninsula where I sell homes.  I liked your title, too!

Sep 16, 2012 07:36 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sharon:  Thank you!  Titles are not always easy!

Rebecca:  Great question... My next post will be dedicated to answering it!

Brad:  I don't get the "too busy" excuse.  Having quality photos is the core of your marketing in real estate!  If by "too busy" they mean very successful, then they should have no problem paying a professional to take their photos.  Otherwise, I assume they are just passing what should be their work off to someone else and this is not the agent I would want listing my house.  Good for you for not following suit and using the lacky!

Dana:  Always nice to hear from a neighbor!  Love your comment and Love your attitude!

Vivian:  Thank you!

Steve:  A listing with no photos sends a very strong message to buyers....and it's not a good message!

Joe:  It just doesn't make any sense that so many people are still not making the effort.

 

Sep 16, 2012 08:43 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Wende:  Thank you!  It makes an impact here on the East Coast too, just not as popular here as it is there yet!  We still have a ways to go to catch up....it's difficult to find agents who really understand what I offer and it's value.  I appreciate your support of my work!

Sep 16, 2012 08:46 AM
Ana Hitzel
AccentPositives Home Staging - Corona, CA
Professional Home Stager Inland Empire

Great post as usual Sharon, short and to the point says it all.

 

Sep 16, 2012 01:39 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Ana:  Thank you!

Sep 16, 2012 08:47 PM
Rhonda Duffy
Duffy Realty of Atlanta & Rainmaker Realty - Milton, GA
#1 Retail Listing Agent in the U.S.

Another great post- I need to keep this in mind. Thank you for sharing.

Sep 19, 2012 12:11 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Rhonda:  Thank you for commenting!

Sep 19, 2012 05:17 AM
Dale Taylor
Re/Max 10 New Lenox Illinois http://dtaylor.remax.com - Frankfort, IL
Realtor = Chicago Illinois Homes Townhomes Condos

Love the eyes graphic - well done - keep up the great work!

Sep 23, 2012 09:02 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Dale:  Thank you!

Sep 23, 2012 09:51 AM