I am not surprised anymore when I look at the pictures on the MLS of homes that didn't sell with another agent before I list the home.  I am sure that everyone knows these days that good pictures are a big part of marketing a home effectively.  When a home doesn't sell, of course there are many factors; however one of the factors that should be removed if at all possible is having good pictures.  Why is it that some agents don't invest in their own business and in their clients' homes by purchasing a good camera and learning how to use it?  Now, as a disclaimer, I am not, by any means, a professional photographer.  That being said, it doesn't take a Rocket Scientist to see a good picture and a not so good picture.  I've seen some pretty horrendous pictures of homes, and I'm sure you have as well. 

If you are working in real estate, you are probably looking at a lot of homes online.  By looking at the pictures online, you should get a feel for what looks good and what doesn't.  If you don't have that eye, have someone else take the pictures for you.  There are plenty of photographers who will do this for you.  Yes, it will cost you some money, but if your client hires you for this service isn't it worth it to give your client the best that you can give them?  We all know that most buyers begin their search online, LOOKING AT PICTURES OF HOMES.  If your pictures are bad, the buyer will just move on to the next home.

Charlotte Real Estate no wide angle pictureWhen taking pictures, are you using a wide-angle lens, or are you just using a typical digital camera?  When taking pictures of homes, I've found the wide-angle looks best in most rooms.  Here is a picture of a room with a standard digital camera...

It's a beautiful room, but you hardly notice the features since the lens is not capable of getting the room.  In addition, the room is too dark.  This picture was probably taken with standard flash settings.  You see the lights at the left are off also when I recommend all lights on in order to have a bright photo. 

 

 

 

Charlotte Real Estate wide angle pictureContrast the picture above to the same room shown here with a wide angle lens and better lighting.  Now I'm sure a professional photographer could have done an even better job, but I think it looks much better and helped to sell this home.

When marketing a home, if you don't have good photos, make sure you don't skimp on this very important part of the process.  In part 2 of this blog, I'll give my tips on getting the best photos possible.

- Don

 

Don Anthony Realty Signature - www.DonAnthonyRealty.com

__________________________________________________________________________

Don is the Owner and Broker of Don Anthony Realty.  Last year, Don sold more homes than 99.5% of the real estate agents in the region, while saving those clients thousands.  He has perfected a low cost yet full-service home-selling program that is revolutionizing the way people get their homes sold.  His hybrid approach and Flat Fee MLS Listing Service combines the best of a Discount Realtor and Full-Commission real estate agent with the freedom of a For Sale By Owner (FSBO).  For more information please visit our website, www.DonAnthonyRealty.com.  

Don Anthony Realty helps clients buy and sell real estate in the entire Charlotte, NC Metro Region and also the Triangle North Carolina Region serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding areas.  Counties served in the Charlotte Region include Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, Iredell, Lincoln, Gaston, Rowan, Catawba, and Alexander Counties in NC as well as York, Chester, and Lancaster Counties in SC.  The counties served for the Triangle NC Region include Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Nash, Orange, Person, Vance, Wake, and Warren.  Some of the Charlotte Region cities served include Charlotte, Huntersville, Mooresville, Matthews, Concord, Weddington, Wesley Chapel, Waxhaw, Monroe, Marshville, Pineville, Gastonia, Cramerton, Belmont, Statesville, Hickory, Claremont, Kannapolis, Salisbury, Union Grove, Lincolnton, Mount Holly, Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Rock Hill, York, Clover, Catawba, Indian Trail, Mint Hill, Davidson, Sherrills Ford, Cornelius, Troutman, Harrisburg, Midland, Mt Pleasant, Terrell, Crouse, Wingate, Maiden, Denver, Lancaster, Stanley, Dallas, Newton, Cherryville, China Grove, Indian Land, and Chester.  Some of the Triangle Region cities served include Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Clayton, Wake Forest, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Youngsville, Pittsboro, Hillsborough, Morrisville, Louisburg, Knightdale, Smithfield, Zebulon, Angier, Sanford, Franklinton, Rougemont, Wendell, Henderson, Mebane, Creedmoor, Willow Spring, Carrboro, Dunn, Roxboro, Timberlake, Semora, Graham, Burlington, Efland, Fayetteville, Oxford, Selma, Siler City, Four Oaks, Haw River, Rocky Mount, Bahama, Spring Lake, Stem, Bear Creek, Coats, Kenly, and Raeford.

 
This post has been included in North Carolina Real Estate News

3 Comments on A (Good) Picture is Worth A Thousand Words (and Helps It Sell!)... Part 1

MAR
10
2009
486,729 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Or the ones that show Christmas decorations still on the MLS in February or March.  Just seems so unprofessional.  Thanks for the room tips though!

Kathy
1:07pm • #1
APR
13
2009
1,924,509 Points 155 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Have to ask, what camera took that picture, because that is an awesome comparison.
5:24am • #2
275,703 Points 2 Featured Posts

I use the Kodak Easyshare Dual Lens V705.  I've found it to be a great camera for real estate... small and compact, 2 lenses so you can get wide angle and also normal lens.  I use a 1 GB memory card and just take a bunch of pictures.  It also has a feature where you can "stitch" pictures together for a panoramic picture if you have a home with a great view or large backyard. 
7:11am • #3


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