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Holding agents to a minimum photo standard

Be prepared for what you are about to see. I was looking online through the local real estate listings tonight, and was amazed at the poor quality of photos. Check these out sad, but actual listing photos:

Preaching to the choir here at Active Rain, but would someone please explain why there is not a minimum standard when it comes to publishing MLS photos? Why is this tolerated?

I think agents would agree that photos are one of the most important pieces of information found online about a property. Online listings with poorly-taken, grainy photos do little to show what a home looks like. Let alone what is special about the listing.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Now, I'll quit bitchin' and share four ideas on how to take better real estate photos, courtesy of a couple of pro photographers in an article from Real Estate Journal.com:

For exterior shots, shoot in the middle of the day when the sun is shining and the sky is blue. When shooting inside, turn on all the lights and use a flash.
Remove clutter from an area before photographing it. Clear counter space and remove fridge magnets, children's toys, and dirty dishes. For outside shots, put away garbage cans and take the car out of the driveway. Try not to include telephone polls, wires and other homes in the scene.
Quality counts when taking photos, and cell-phone cameras don't cut it. A camera with a wide angle lens is ideal, but "point and shoot" digital cameras can also do the job.
For a clear photo, place digital cameras on a tripod. Set the camera on its highest resolution. If you decide to just use the photos online, you can always decrease the resolution. Never use less than 72 dots per inch for online photos.
Edit. If you didn't get a good shot, you can fix it with basic photo editing software. Crop out ceilings or unnecessary background, and adjust the brightness and contrast or edit in a sunny sky.

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Chris Mitchell is the President and Founder of 25-8 Marketing, Inc, a full service advertising agency in Elk River, Minnesota. He plans and implements marketing programs for small to medium-sized businesses. Mitchell is a consultant, speaker and author and has worked with hundreds of companies. He has over 20 years of real-world advertising experience, and understands the marketing challenges of the small business owner.

Posted by Chris Mitchell on 03/30/2008 12:20 AM

Comments (9)

real estate marketing, photography, marketing

9 Comments on Holding agents to a minimum photo standard

Hi Chris: I think the idea of your post is a good one. But... using the examples of the three photos you have printed above, my guess is that any Realtor who can only take pictures like the three shown above... is going to need a very simple set of directions for taking those photos, and a nicely detailed step-by-step set of instructions along with it.

By the way... I am going to take a guess at 25-8 Marketing. You work 25 hours a day and eight days a week ? Was I close ?

03/30/2008 12:38 AM

by Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone (RE/MAX Trinity)

Hi Chris,

I'm with you on the lousy photos. Yesterday while online I said to a collegue, you would think from these photos the listing agent really doesn't want to sell this property.

03/30/2008 12:42 AM

by Orange Co. Real Estate~Lynda Eisenmann, Broker-Owner, Brea, CA (Preferred Home Brokers)

Thanks for the comment Karen. In my opinion, each of the photos falls below "minimum standards." In each office, I think there should be a photo book, with examples of "this is good" and "this is not good." A detailed set of instructions is a very good suggestion. As for the name 25-8...you got it.

03/30/2008 12:45 AM

by Chris Mitchell (25-8 Marketing)

Agreed Lynda. I question, when I see things like this, where the pride in their work is.

03/30/2008 12:46 AM

by Chris Mitchell (25-8 Marketing)

Hi Chris,

As agents this is a big pet peeve of ours. It doesn't look like the listing agent cares or is doing their best for their client. Makes us wonder what their flyers look like... : )

Patty & Scott Carroll - RE/MAX Equity Group Vancouver WA

03/30/2008 12:52 AM

by Patty & Scott Carroll - RE/MAX, Vancouver WA (RE/MAX Equity Group)

Chris,

If everyone waited until the sky is blue in Seattle, we'd have half the listings. Not every house makes for a pretty picture. But it wouldn't hurt to move those trash cans. These really don't look all that bad to me. I've seen a lot worse.

03/30/2008 12:54 AM

by ARDELL DellaLoggia (Sound Realty)

Well I imagine if enough people petition for it......one day there will be a manditory requirement....For us here in BC there was a time when photos weren't a requirement......no they are manditory and we're fined if they aren't posted within 10 days of the listing.......I'm also surprised that the vendors aren't more diligent in checking to see what their realtors are doing, and how they're advertising. I'm pretty sure we'd be getting an e-mail or phone call within minutes of publication from at least 80% of our clients........if they didn't feel their property was been shown in the best 'light'...:-)....

03/30/2008 01:27 AM

by Liz Moras, Re/Max Associate Broker Chilliwack (Vancouver), B.C. (Remax Nyda Realty Chilliwack B.C.)

Patty and Scott - thanks for the comment. I see it your way.

Ardell - I appreciate your comment. I'm sure there are worse...but these are absolutely pathetic in my opinion.

Liz - I think if the homeowner complained, these might be changed. They probably haven't seen them. Thanks for the comment.

03/30/2008 10:03 AM

by Chris Mitchell (25-8 Marketing)

I think these are all bank owned listings. That is why they are poor. They don't care to take more photos on some of these. Many the insides are so bad you don't want to post them. I need to get a post on the Rlk River Blog. I will do a couple this week!

03/30/2008 08:02 PM

by Chuck Carstensen (Re/max Associates Plus inc)

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What does the graphic say?