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If a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, What are Your Listing Images Saying About the Quality of Your Work?

By
Real Estate Agent with Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

In preparation for a post I wrote on my Saskatoon real estate blog, I spent about 30 minutes viewing listings on a typical real estate website.  I continue to be astounded at the poor quality of images which pass as acceptable to both sellers and agents.

In thirty minutes time, I managed to collect enough lousy images to create a virtual tour which I've titled, "The Unbelievably Bad Real Estate Photo Hall of Fame."  In it, you'll see a man, apparently asleep in his recliner while his living room is photographed, a kitchen that looks like it's about to slide off the face of the earth and about thirty other gems which somehow snuck past the stupid meter on their way to the MLS® and the Internet.

As agents, we must remember that photography is a very important element of MLS® and Internet marketing.  We would also be wise to remember that when we post a home to the Internet, the quality of our work, and the extent to which we care about the work we do is readily apparent to everyone who views your listing.  Friends, in many cases we look like careless idiots. 

I always assume that my seller will be one of the first to view his or her home online and I strive to build a presentation which will leave them feeling proud of their home, and perhaps even wanting to forward the ad to their friends and family.  Mean time, I am going to work towards marketing myself as some who cares and wants to present homes professionally. 

Please remember me with your Saskatoon real estate referrals.  You can reach me toll-free at 1-888-978-6676 or drop me an email through my ActiveRain profile.

Norm Fisher, Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

Comments (12)

Jessica Hughes
Ambiance Staging - Boulder, CO

Hey Norm,

I loved your visual tour!  Very funny stuff.

You should join the photography group and post this there.

Click on the groups feature at the top, find the photography and join it, then go back and edit your post and it should let you select the photography group to be included in.

Dec 11, 2006 05:53 AM
Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate - Saskatoon, SK
Thanks for the instructions.  I think I got it done.
Dec 11, 2006 06:31 AM
Jessica Hughes
Ambiance Staging - Boulder, CO
Yep!  Nice to see you here!
Dec 11, 2006 06:35 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

'Hi Norm'

Waaaay off topic here. :)

Why? Well after your most recent visits I must say I found myself curious about the man who is saying all those nice things on my post. That would be you. :)

Just wanted to personally thank you (well as personal as you can get in Space) for stopping by for a visit. I also wish to thank you for your support. We appreciate that. We really do.

TLW "The Lovely Wife"...Yup. Broker Bryant And I Are Very Blessed To Have Found Each Other. ROAR!  

Dec 13, 2006 12:16 AM
Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate - Saskatoon, SK

TLW,

Thanks for stopping by.  Best wishes to you and BB for a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous 2007!

Dec 13, 2006 02:09 AM
Maureen Francis
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Bloomfield Hills, MI
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel
Norm, that virtual tour was super.  I loved it. Just visited you on your other blog too.  Looks great.  Maybe you will want to join our December Blog Tour.
Dec 14, 2006 12:14 AM
Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate - Saskatoon, SK
Thanks Maureen.  I appreciate the heads up and have just added my other blog to your list.  I also had a chance to check out your other blog. It looks great.  Particularly liked the fsbo presentation by NAR.
Dec 14, 2006 12:40 AM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

I'm an ardent fan of photography. Because I'm in this business, I tend to also gravitate towards architectural photography as well. I created a listing for my Seller and the photography was a huge part of it.

 

Dec 14, 2006 05:57 AM
Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate - Saskatoon, SK

Loreena,

Thanks for stopping by.  I checked out your ad and your images.  They look great.  Way to go!

Dec 14, 2006 07:51 AM
Anonymous
Kent Friesen

Hi Norm,

I am a potential buyer, currently in Toronto. I have been looking at MLS listings for the past few months, and am frustrated at the lousy job so many listings do with the photos. Other than the price, they are perhaps the most important part of the listing to me. Yet many listings have no photos or maybe just one frontal. Why one? If the photographer can't get in the house, why not at least put on some boots, take a few shots of the house and yard and garage. And then make a point to get inside asap. There are houses that have been listed for months, with still only one picture! They look like they were shot from the street, maybe from in the car on a quick drive-by shooting! Digital cameras, preferably wide angle--no cost to shoot lots of pics--then choose 8 good ones.

And while I'm ranting, is there no standard "formula" for what pictures to post? I want to see the whole kitchen (at least two shots), the main living areas, the yard, the garage, and different sides of the house. I don't want pictures of the current tenants' cute four-poster bed, or patio set, new furnace, or even a plain old 10x10 bedroom.  Who generally takes these pics anyway, the listing agent? If so, I don't want some of them helping me look for a house. I do notice who the listing agent is, by the way.

Mar 22, 2007 08:22 AM
#10
Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate - Saskatoon, SK

Hi Kent,

Thank you.  These are great comments for agents to read. 

Sometimes it's pure laziness and I'm sure sometimes is just simply not knowing how to take a decent photo. I believe it's worth every agent's time to at least try to develop some skills in this area, or team up with someone who understands photography.

As for the number of photos which should appear with a listing, there is some good evidence which suggests that listings with higher numbers of photos generate more leads than those with one or two.  I try to photograph every room that I can.  There are instances (though rare) where tenants feel that interior photos is an invasion of their privacy.  Sometimes the places show so poorly they're hardy worth photographing.

Thanks again Kent.

Mar 22, 2007 09:45 AM
Rita Taylor
None - Sanford, NC
Sanford NC Real Estate - Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina

Your virtual tour with examples of bad photos is a real gem!  I often get frustrated with agents that take no photo or take 1 front photo with their cell phone camera.  I am not saying my pictures are the best but at least I take a bunch of photos and use the best ones I have for the MLS.  Our local MLS allows 10 pictures so I put in 9 pictures and a floorplan.

Rita 

Mar 24, 2007 05:57 PM