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Want to sell your house? Make sure your photos stand out in the crowd!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX in the Village, Realtors

I spend a lot of time sorting through listings on the MLS for my clients, and I'm baffled at the number of listings in 2014 that aren't photographed to show off the home's features, or aren't even photographed at all! Our multiple listing service requires only one exterior photo of the property but allows agents to upload as many as 25.

With over 90% of home buyers starting their house hunt on the internet these days, it is in sellers' best interest to use the best photos possible to highlight the home's features.

As I explain to my clients, when a buyer sets up a viewing on your home, this is actually their SECOND showing -- if they're interested enough to come see it in person, chances are they've already poured over your photos, virtual tour, and listing details numerous times. They can probably recite your annual property taxes or the amount of your HOA fees from memory by the time they step foot in your front door!

As the cliché goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression, so make it count! Hire an agent who understands the importance of internet marketing, not only to buyers but to other brokers. Ask to see samples from their other listings - they should be proud to show you their work!

If you own a home in the Oak Park / River Forest / Forest Park areas or anywhere within Chicagoland, click here to find out how much your home is worth and to hire The Pych Team, Your #1 Pick!

www.OPRFhomesforsale.com

before vs after pro photography

Posted by

Laurie Christofano, Realtor

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Laurie Christofano has been a real estate broker since falling into the field in 2007 upon deciding to leave medical school. Passionate about local architecture and determined to make a living "helping people" (as she set out to do since deciding to become a doctor; albeit she's now helping with a different but also important aspect of people's lives), she's worked with buyers, sellers & renters all over Chicago's city & suburbs. Proud member of The Pych Team @ RE/MAX In The Village, Your #1 Pick! Learn more: http://traffic.libsyn.com/brianplain/TAA020.mp3

Find out how much your Chicago area home is worth in today's market:
go to http://myhousepage.com/chicagoland-house-values
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Comments(10)

Randy Mitchelson,APR
Marketing Advisor & Squeeze Mortgage - Bonita Springs, FL
First Impressions are made at First Click

In addition to great photos,  having a great display mechanism for the photos is also key. Not all real estate websites do a good job displaying photos and capturing the eye of the viewer. There are some brand new state of the art website designs which are much more engaging and any real estate website that is several years old could use a refresh to take advantage of the new web technology.  Then ubiquitous use of mobile devices by home shoppers is just one reason why many older websites are not ideal anymore

Jan 12, 2014 12:42 PM
Laurie Christofano
RE/MAX in the Village, Realtors - Oak Park, IL
ABR, The Pych Team at RE/MAX in the Village
@randy, excellent point -- that's why my website is mobile-friendly and has links to community info, zip code comparisons etc -- trying to be that one stop shop!
Jan 12, 2014 12:46 PM
Gerard Gilbers
Higher Authority Markeing - Asheboro, NC
Your Marketing Master

I agree that great photographs can make a difference on whether people even want to see the property. It always frustrated me to see photos that were old and no longer represented the true look of the property.

Jan 12, 2014 01:43 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Excellent post on the power of photos, Laurie.  It boggles the mind why so many agents just don't seem to put much effort into their online marketing!

Jan 12, 2014 09:05 PM
Laurie Christofano
RE/MAX in the Village, Realtors - Oak Park, IL
ABR, The Pych Team at RE/MAX in the Village

Thanks @gerard and @sharon -- it also confuses me why sellers don't speak up about it! The listing in my example had been with another agent for 2 YEARS and the first thing the seller said to me was "oh yea my last photos were terrible"... One week on the market, 7 showings and expecting an offer today. I'd say she has seen the light!

Jan 12, 2014 09:53 PM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

Excellent B&A examples, too, Laurie!  I would hope that sellers today would demand great photos - and lots of them - for their listings!  And a professional Home Stager too!

Jan 12, 2014 11:24 PM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Good online photos are so important that it's the first marketing tool that agents should use and sellers should demand.

Jan 14, 2014 02:55 PM
Laurie Christofano
RE/MAX in the Village, Realtors - Oak Park, IL
ABR, The Pych Team at RE/MAX in the Village
Thank you all for your positive comments! I just wanted to share that we've already sold the condo in the before/after photos -- 11 days vs. 2 YEARS with the last agent!
Jan 15, 2014 04:40 AM
Tina Parker
EXP Realty Canada Inc. - Halifax, NS
Managing Associate Broker

You are so right on photos being the most important tool. confuses me too why sellers don't speak up. Congratulations on the sale! A most satisfying conclusion to a job well done.

Jan 15, 2014 07:17 PM
David Popoff
DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT
Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

So true with today's competition in home selling your local professional Realtor will go the extra mile, plus with home staging you will get better pictures, more traffic and a quicker often higher offer.

 

Feb 10, 2014 01:59 PM