As a Realtor there is so much I have learned in the two and a half years. One of the most important things I have learned is the importance of the photos we take for our listings. I remember my first listing and the photos I took. They were all dark and cluttered. The house was dark inside and the owner did not have that much lighting inside the house. I was all excited and went over on a cloudy day to take photos. Ran through the house, got a photo of every room and the exterior shots all in less than 10 minutes. I ran back to the office uploaded the photos and threw them right into the MLS. I did not think anything about what the photos looked like. Over time I learned. They had to have been the worst photos I have ever taken. The house looked so gloomy and depressing.
The first few listings I had it was a quick go in get photos of everything and get out to get the listing in sooner. Now I think it takes me close to an hour to take photos of my listings. I take the time to move furniture and remove items from the counter tops and clean up everything, also I take the time to make sure the lighting is just right. I am no professional when it comes to taking pictures, but I have noticed an increase of quality from day one.
I also have learned how important the pictures of the houses can be. I have heard a few times people complaining about photos of other listings. The buyers notice when you just throw the comforter over an unmade bed. They notice the little things, a cluttered counter top, an open closet door, stuff thrown under a table. You never know when one of those buyers could be a potential listing. We have to learn how to use these photos to help sell our business.
I have considered using a professional photographer or going out and buying a fancy camera that I would not know how to use. I wasn't sure a professional photographer would be worth it for me. My average listing is just over $100,000. I figured I can learn how to take better photos and spend the money I would have spent on a photographer elsewhere in my marketing plan. The fancy camera I figured that would just confuse me and it would take a while to learn how to use. I have decided to stick with my point and shoot camera and learn how to use photo shop.
So next time you get ready to list a house be sure to take your time taking those photos. With everybody looking online if the photos are bad they will not even take the time to go into the house.
As always for all your Syracuse Real Estate needs be sure to check out my website.
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