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Good photos help sell houses - jroosevelt@kw.com, Janice Roosevelt, Ecobroker, ABR, ePRO - Matt Fetick Real Estate Team - Keller Williams - PA & DE

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Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Brandywine Valley PARS273421 & De Lic.

Sitting at a settlement yesterday I was pleased when the buyers mentioned they thought my marketing materials and photos were  good. This was a house that I listed and sold in 5 days with competing offers.

Ths morning I stumbled across the article on how houses with more and better photos get greater attention online

While I had (in a previous career) the opportunity to work with some of the country's top photographers, I've never really been a techie in that regard - I can appreciate composition and know a few of the right things to do.

here are a few tips

1) Experiment with height - don't be afraid to get down on your knees and see what that does to change the view

2) Pros use wide angle lenses and flashes to get more of the room and make it look brighter.

3) Watch out for "hot spots" glar on the lens. But don't be afraid to use the play of natural light to create interest

4) Don't be lazy for that great exterior view - hike across the street if necessary

5) Make sure there aren't decorations in the rooms (or outside) that will date a house - if you haven't told the home owner that Christmas decorations need to be removed in May, best do so.

6) Take lots of photos - I don't understand it when colleagues only take a few - digital makes it so easy.

7) Personally, I love a "layered" shot - with a little foliage or another object, in front of a view - it adds interest.

What tips do you have?

Comments(4)

Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

While my MLS is behind the curve, I am not limited so much on my web site and I think it's SO important not only to have photos and lots of them, but descriptions of them.  So my KITCHEN photo says something like Kitchen with custom cabinets and granite countertops, and my GREATROOM might say Greatroom with hardwood floors and fireplace.  And if people watch the "tour" on line of the home they see the descriptions and I think it adds interst.  I need a better camera, but currently not in the budget so I'm "saving" for it.

Jul 11, 2009 12:51 AM
Janice Roosevelt
Keller Williams Brandywine Valley - West Chester, PA
OICP ABR, ePRO,Ecobroker

Tammy: excellent point about the descriptions, people need help in calling out the details.

Jul 11, 2009 12:56 AM
Jim Valentine
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Gardnerville, NV

Janice - Good tips - thanks.  I also gain elevation in angles - stand on a stool for the kitchen shot, or on the roof of my truck to get the house and the view behind it.  Anything to get a different look ... it will cause the viewer to spend a little more time looking.  More time on my site is better than them surfing away looking at other sites.  Photos are oh, so important to our marketing efforts and so many agents don't buy the right equipment, spend enough time on the shot, or take enough pictures to properly represent the property. 

Jul 12, 2009 02:07 AM
Janice Roosevelt
Keller Williams Brandywine Valley - West Chester, PA
OICP ABR, ePRO,Ecobroker

Jim:Your ideas are grea too, I agree - a different look is going to catch and hold attention.

Jul 12, 2009 04:53 AM