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Taking pictures of your REO listing?

By Andrzej Niemyjski

Real Estate Agent with Realty One Group

August 09, 2010 04:43 AM

I think everyone agrees that worst listings to photograph are REO listings.

There is nothing more boring that taking pictures of vacant house. How is potential buyer supposed to see themselves in that house?

One option is to stage the property but by the time everyone takes their cut there is no commission left for that kind of stuff.

You also want to represent a true picture and shape of the property so you take a close up image of a hole in your drywall. When prospecting buyer looks at that picture is he thinking that it will take $30 to fix this or is this a major problem and they will stay away from that house?

I don’t have the answers but I know there are many great people that may have a suggestion or two on this subject.

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Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

My clients made an offer on a short sale property that needed a dumpster or two for all the abandoned personal effects. No wonder the listing agent posted a photo of the exterior and called it a day.

Maybe a floor plan drawing would work when photos are not an option.

Aug 09, 2010 04:49 AM

Rob Arnold

Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL

Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F

About half the houses we sell right now are vacant. Yes they don't show as well as a furnished home, but the buyer just needs some imagination. Many of the junkers are bought by investors so they don't mind the dirt or outdated cabinets anyway.

Aug 09, 2010 09:28 AM

Iran Watson

Georgia Elite Realty - Marietta, GA

Marietta Real Estate Agent - Photographer

Vacant houses are tough to photograph. There are only so many ways you can showcase four walls and two doors. When I photograph vacant listings, I try to look for interesting angles and play up any architectural details the house may have. Aside from that there really isn't much else you can do...

Aug 09, 2010 02:35 PM

Marcy Moyer

eXp Realty of California Silicon Valley Probate, Trust, and Investment Sales - Mountain View, CA

Probate, Trust, and Investment Specialist

You could buy a few pieces of easy to carry staging pieces and put them in the home, take pictures, then move them to the next home.

Aug 10, 2010 03:46 PM

Eric Lee

Realty Executives - Phoenix, AZ

e-PRO, SFR - Phoenix, AZ

Vacant houses would seem to be a perfect target for virtual staging. . . .

Aug 11, 2010 12:31 PM

Ray Saenz

Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX

Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor

I totally agree with you, here there are some listing agents working for REO's that they don't put a picture, or just a single picture and when they take a few pictures they do a very bad job, you need to show it the best raw pictures to sell it faster, there is an old saying "from first sight borns love", so if you don't see anything good online there are many chances that even you will not be interested to take a look the property unless it is a bargain deal :)

Aug 12, 2010 05:27 PM

Don Corson

Coldwell Banker Realty - Columbus, OH

As someone that is trying to assist a family member in shopping for a second home, virtually, by weeding out every REO and short sale under $80k, I would like to make an announcement-- REO/SHORT sale agents: upload some photos, so the agent on the ground doesn't have to go out to the property to discover the true condition. I know you have to take 20-50 photos for the bank -- JUST POST THEM!

Aug 16, 2010 03:16 PM

Michael Cole

CPG Tours - Corona, CA

I have to agree with Don - upload some pictures. The buyer's are going to find out sooner or later what the property looks like. So, why not go ahead and post photos?

However, I also think they need to be decent photos - not just something quickly shot with a cellphone. Regardless of the condition of the property, listing photos are still 'marketing' photos, with the distinct purpose of attracting of a potential buyer.

Just my 2¢

Aug 22, 2010 03:38 AM

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Andrzej Niemyjski

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