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Lack of Photos Could Mean a Lack of Interest in Your Home

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty

I see a need to address an issue that I have noticed within the last month or so. In our local MLS, I have seen a few listings that didn’t have a decent amount of photos. Now these aren’t listings that are “ugly” or “rundown” homes that only an investor with a really good vision could love. One home REALLY struck me as odd not having but only a handful of photos! This home was gorgeous, located in Georgetown, sitting among a lot of neighborhood amenities and just plain lovely, yet there were only FIVE photos uploaded to the MLS (our local MLS gives you the ability to upload up to 30)! When I probed the listing further, the same issue everywhere this listing was syndicated for potential buyers to search and see it, the same small hand full of photos! To be fair, there was a virtual tour added that had a few more photos, and even that wasn’t enough still.

What I am hoping didn’t occur, was that the seller (or hopefully the listing agent) didn’t get the idea that maybe the less photos, the more curiosity would be aroused so as to prompt agents and buyers to come see the property for sure. Clearly this wasn’t a tactic that worked to find the right buyer since the listing expired. Buyers want to see what there is to see before their motivated to physically come out to the property and figuratively “kick the tires”.

It doesn’t matter if the price point of a home is $100,000K or $1,000,000; if the buyer doesn’t spot your home driving by, they will more likely see it first online. Photos are the first impression and can make or break how much traffic comes to your home, thus making a difference in attracting that buyer who will take it off the market with an offer and a sale.

This house however expired and is now back on the market…same listing agent, same price…same small handful of photos! We’ll see…

Posted by

Shantée Haynes
REALTOR®
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty
216 7th Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
DIRECT: 202-355-5544
OFFICE: 202-608-1880

Mike Baltierra
Rise Realty - Eastvale, CA
Full Service at Your Service Realtor-Eastvale CA

It's amazing to find a beautiful home with a handful of photos. I'm with you. There should be as many photos possible especially when you have a great property to show.

May 21, 2014 12:58 AM