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What motivates a buyer???

By Andrew Mayon

Services for Real Estate Pros with Triad Real Estate Photography

January 08, 2009 02:28 AM

Let me ask you, here is the same kitchen, the first shot by the Realtor's assistant, the second by a professional (okay, it was me =P). Which image do you believe creates motivation for a potential buyer to see the property? By the way, the images are in the actual sizes as they appear on the Realtor's site (small one) and on the builder's site (as part of his slide show).

Notice all the paperwork on the counters in the Realtor's shot? Nothing but clean tops on the larger image (amazing what 3 minutes of hiding things does, huh?). It is little details like this than make all the difference.

Realtor's kitchen photo

Professional photograph of kitchen

Re-Blog

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Patty Carroll

Vancouver, WA

Andrew this is a great example of what a picture can do. Even the lights look different.

Jan 08, 2009 02:33 AM

Denise Gray

Realty World Alliance - Wichita, KS

Realtor SRES, Wichita Kansas Homes

It is a much better picture.

If you can't afford a pro to take your shots just take a little more time on your set up, use a tripod, experiment with using a step ladder to get a better view of the room, and take time to adjust the lights. Sometimes you need to come back during different times of the day to use natural light. I've taken over an hour to shoot a house and still went back later to take more.

Jan 08, 2009 02:42 AM

Paul Hockaday

Exit Homeplace Realty (Wilmington, NC) - Wilmington, NC

Andrew, the second picture absolutely looks better. It would motivate the buyer more so than the smaller picture.

Paul

"100 Days to Change"

Jan 08, 2009 02:48 AM

Andrew Mayon

Triad Real Estate Photography - Greensboro, NC

Denise, thanks for your input. Not all professional photographers are "expensive." Besides, you need to look at them as an "investment" in selling the property.

It also takes good equipment to make a good photograph, not just a tripod. Most P&S cameras have a limited angle on their lens, which makes it difficult to capture an entire image, especially in a tight space.

I present the idea of using a professional photographer in two ways...

VALUE ADDED SERVICE

Here, the Realtor absorbs the cost of the photographer as a value added service to list the home. The common remark then becomes, "well, if the seller drops me, then I am out of the money." I reply, "no, you own the photographs, not the seller. If you and the seller part ways, offer to sell them the images so they can have them used with the next agent." This then becomes only a temporary out-of-pocket issue.

SELLER-SIDE

Here, you motivate the seller to hire a professional photographer to create the images to be used to market the house (hey, no out of pocket invetment for you...yippee!). If the seller feels they should not have to bear the cost, you just say, "if you pay the photographer, you own the images. If things between us should unfortunately work out, you could give the images to the next agent for them to use."

Jan 08, 2009 02:52 AM

Li Read

Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC

Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Everything is always in the details...thanks for reminding us to "pause" for a moment, and to scan an area, as if we were the camera's lens (which sees it all, unlike our eyes!).

Jan 08, 2009 03:03 AM

Laurie Mindnich

Centennial, CO

Those look like two completely different rooms.

Jan 08, 2009 03:05 AM

Andrew Mayon

Triad Real Estate Photography - Greensboro, NC

More like half of a room, then the entire room.

Jan 08, 2009 03:08 AM

Tony & Darcy Cannon

Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT

The C Team

Andrew, it is a dramatic difference, and photography does make a huge difference in people's minds

Jan 08, 2009 03:15 AM

Richard Shuman

The Only B.S. I Have is from the University of Massachusetts - Lake Mary, FL

Real Estate Broker - Orlando Area - Love Referrals

Wow what a difference. At a quick glance, you wouldn't even think it's the same kitchen.

Nice reminder!

Jan 08, 2009 04:52 AM

Chrissie Sutherland

Ready Set Stage - Greensboro, NC

Hey Andrew,

Post this to one of the staging blogs. They would love to see it. Great post.

Chrissie

Jan 08, 2009 08:55 AM

Andrew Mayon

Triad Real Estate Photography - Greensboro, NC

Hey Chrissie:

Which one of the many would you suggest?!?! Thanks!

Jan 08, 2009 09:04 AM

Tracy Santrock

Santrock Realty Group Inc. , - Cary, NC

Raleigh - Cary Broker

Andrew - great looking kitchen. Great marketing of a beautiful home in Greensboro. Keep up the good work.

Jan 08, 2009 11:10 AM

Andrew Mayon

Triad Real Estate Photography - Greensboro, NC

Hey Tracy:

Cary isn't too far from Greensboro...=P

Jan 08, 2009 11:16 AM

Sasha Miletic - Windsor Real Estate

RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - Windsor, ON

Hi Andrew, This looks Awesome!! Keep them coming.

Best - Sash

Jan 08, 2009 10:35 PM

Amanda Christiansen

Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN

Christiansen Group Realty

Love that second pic, what a kitchen!

Jan 08, 2009 11:08 PM

Myrick Tantiado

Alain Pinel Realtors - San Francisco, CA

What a difference in both photos. . .like day and night! Excellent second pic. . .keep up the good work!

Jan 09, 2009 06:05 AM

Margaret Oscilia

Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR

Home Stager, Salem Oregon

Andrew - Wow - what crown molding and cabinetry in that second shot -- that doesn't even show in the first photo!

I love working with a professional photographer -- and this is exactly why -- he makes every little detail look spectacular! (He likes it that I make the houses look incredible first too!) I think is is a necessity in this market and with over 75% of buyers shopping online first for properties.

Jan 14, 2009 05:58 AM