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Increase Perceived Value Of Your Listing With Photos Of The Neighborhood

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

Real estate marketing photos need not be limited to photos of the actual house for sale. 

Taking shots from the house, looking out, can result in very appealing marketing photos.

I recently wrote about the value of asking sellers for interesting photos of their home. Consider this....asking sellers for interesting shots of their neighborhood is also a good idea. 

Many agents include photos of breathtaking views from a home. Water front and mountain views are a good example.

But, how often do you see photos taken of the view of the street that the house is located on? 

Buyers are not just buying a home, they are buying a neighborhood.

Shots of the street can give potential buyers a sense of what it is like to live there. Seeing that the neighbors' properties are well maintained adds value to the home they are considering buying. 

Seasonal photos can be especially appealing....the bright colors of fall and fresh white snow for a summer listing...gorgeous flower gardens for winter listings.

 

Here is a photo I took last winter

 

That is not my house....it is the house across the street.

It is my front yard and the view from my large kitchen window.

No photo editing was used on this picture....just Mother Nature in all her glory.

 

 

Entry:

2017 ActiveRain Photography Contest

Real Estate:  Miscellaneous 

Comments(35)

Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I love the photo. Thank you for the great tips. I like to take photos of neighborhoods too.

Oct 28, 2017 03:20 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

That an absolutely stunning picture, Sharon Tara ... and the fact that you had no need to edit it only makes it more so.  It could be your Holiday postcard!

Gene

Oct 28, 2017 06:47 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

I love this one - simplicity and just the right light! It is a striking photograph!

Oct 28, 2017 06:53 AM
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

Sometimes sellers hand me seasonal pictures of their home. If they're good quality pics, I'll use them.

Oct 28, 2017 06:59 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Maria Sapio  Thank you! My only fear in sharing the beauty of fall is exposing to potential buyers just how many leaves need raking! LOL

Anna Banana Kruchten,CRS,CRB,GRI The drastic change in season can be so beautiful. The raking and shoveling not so much. LOL

Ron and Alexandra Seigel  I have no doubt you have mastered this. I'm sure your marketing is awesome!

Beth Atalay  I've not chosen to go see a few homes because of the neighborhoods. It's really too bad.

Dick Greenberg  I just happened to be walking by my window and couldn't believe what I saw....I'm so glad I didn't miss it. It was even more beautiful in person.

Oct 28, 2017 09:09 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Myrl Jeffcoat True....a really good neighborhood increases the value and makes all that fixing up an even better investment.

Chris Ann Cleland  It can really draw in the buyers if they see a nice neighborhood.

Brian England  I agree....I don't like that either. That would be a huge red flag for me that the house is not in great shape.

Kathy Streib  Winter wonderland is a beautiful view, but the reality of winter is not easy to take!

Gita Bantwal  It was so gorgeous in person...you really can't do justice with a camera.

 

 

Oct 28, 2017 09:13 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi  If only all that beauty were over my house! 

Patricia Feager  I couldn't believe how bright yellow the tree tops were...I was stunned. I'm hoping I see it again this year at some point.

Dave Halpern  Yes, the quality makes a difference. I would only use shots that really work to market the neighborhood in the best light.

 

Oct 28, 2017 09:16 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

This is a beautiful shot.  What an inspiring view.

Oct 28, 2017 09:47 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Belinda Spillman  Thank you! I'm lucky I was there to notice it and was able to get the shot when I did.

Oct 28, 2017 10:03 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Sharon -- you're so right -- people aren't just buying a house but a neighborhood/community.  That "feel" is an important part of the mix.  Very good entry.

 

 

Oct 28, 2017 10:04 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Michael Jacobs  Thank you! Show them the whole picture...something you do so well!

Oct 28, 2017 11:08 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Sharon, that is a stunning photo, and have also had photos take out the front window, especially if there is a park or something of interest.   You take such great photos! 

Oct 28, 2017 02:18 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Joan Cox  Thank you! The key to taking great photos is taking LOTS of photos. LOL

Most will suck but take enough and at least one has to be good!

Oct 29, 2017 07:51 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Every photo I see of yours is stunning, so you must take hundreds!  

Oct 29, 2017 08:02 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Sharon, this is a stunning shot! The trees look like their tops were gilded! Depending on many photo slots I have available, I often include community or neighborhood photos. It gives people an impression of the area and they don't go elsewhere to look for these images!

Oct 29, 2017 03:00 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Joan Cox  Thank you! I just got home from my grandson's b'day party....OMG I took so many pics. The downside is the time involved in going throught them all!

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES  You bring up another great point....being the source for the neighborhood pics so potential buyers don't go looking elsewhere. I think you have a blog post of your own there!

Oct 29, 2017 03:03 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Sharon - you really have a beautiful view and it means so much with a home buyer.

Oct 30, 2017 05:59 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Grant Schneider  Well it was even more beautiful that particular day! Thank you!

Oct 30, 2017 10:26 AM
Gordon Crawford
Gordon Crawford Home Selling Team - Morristown, NJ
Your Morris County Specialist!

What a beautiful picture and great idea!  Once again, I have new ideas to take back to my listings.

Nov 26, 2017 05:22 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Gordon Crawford  Something we have a lot of here in the Rain is new ideas! Thanks for commenting!

Nov 26, 2017 06:43 PM