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Use Lots of Photos Unless . . . .

By
Real Estate Agent with 410-935-5844 Office 634480

Use Lots of Photos Unless . . . .

 

My broker would like for agents to use at least 20 photos on all of their listings.

 

Of, course, this makes sense, especially when most people are doing the majority of their home searches on line.

 

There are some shoppers who will go right past a listing if it does not have more than one photo.

 

I am told that the more photos that a property has, that the higher it will rank on sites like realtor.com.

 

But, what if the property is not deserving of lots of photos or if they are too difficult to take?

 

An investor called me about a property which he was going to list.

 

I asked if I could have the key to go to the property to take photos and measurements and such.

 

He said that I would not need a key; that I could just look through the window.

 

I did not understand that comment until I got to the property.

 

I looked through the window of this 2 story row house and I saw light coming from the roof, the second floor collapsing on to the first floor, and the first floor collapsing into the basement.

 

Certainly, a buyer would want to know the condition of a house like this, but it does not take too many photos to convey the idea that this was a dilapidated mess.

 

 

Bill Reddington
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate

Certainly sounds like an investor property. Think price is still a cure all. Would probably take photos. But selective ones.

Oct 23, 2014 06:25 AM
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Hi there Ron, I agree that in this case you probably don't need as many photos as for a pristene listing.

Oct 23, 2014 06:30 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Yeah if it needs a match, 20 photos are likely  not going to help.

Oct 23, 2014 06:31 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good afternoon Ron. Your Broker is right, but this property requires a warning instead.

Oct 23, 2014 07:05 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

     I listed a wrecked house once.  Same problem.  So, we took photos of the neighborhood, the nearby shopping mall, the public schools, the city bus stop sign on the street corner, etc.  

Oct 23, 2014 07:25 AM
Dawn Brenengen
Dawn Brenengen - Trailwood Realty - Raleigh, NC
Sales and Management

I like Fred Griffin's solution.  Also, some investors are looking for dilapadated messes they can fix and flip.  See a lot of work needed in the photos might just entice the right buyer to come and look. 

Oct 23, 2014 10:19 AM
Veronica Krzinska
Zenith Realty - Rosedale, MD

Ron,

It sounds like it would be too dangerous to go in and take photos.

Oct 25, 2014 10:01 AM
Alexandra "Sandy" Pzkowski
Zenith Realty - Baltimore, MD

Ron,

Nice to know that you can rank higher on realtor.com with more photos.

Oct 25, 2014 10:03 AM
Jacob Jamison
Zenith Realty - Joppa, MD
Exclusive Buyer Representation

Ron,

Instead of photos you need to warn that it is a hard hat area.

Oct 25, 2014 10:04 AM
Brian Bedford
Zenith Realty - Catonsville, MD

Ron,

It is true that investors like to see the condition of the property with photos, but it sounds like one photo shot through the window is all that you would need.

Oct 25, 2014 10:07 AM
Kristi Allison
Bel Air, MD

Ron,

Taking photos just for teh sake of taking photos sounds a bit silly.  If the home is worthy of photos, then you take them, but if it is not then there should be a limit to how many you take.  Of course, you must always take a shot of the toilet to let buyers know that there is indoor plumbing.

Oct 25, 2014 10:10 AM
Kathryn Sparks
Zenith Realty - Baltimore, MD

Ron,

This would be a good opportunity to use virtual photos to show what it could be.

Oct 25, 2014 10:12 AM
Karen Krzniak
Zenith Realty - Towson, MD

Ron,

I think it's time that you started to look for better listings.

Oct 25, 2014 10:14 AM