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Real Estate Photography - the importance of neighborhood character...

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Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605

Whitestone Bridge across the East RiverToday's home buyers are very thirsty for information.  Above all else, they want photos. Photos,  photos and more photos.  But they don't just want photos of the home in question, they want more.   They want to learn about the neighborhood.  Neighborhoods can make or break a deal and if a neighborhood has a unique character that can be brought to life with photography, then so much the better.

The above photo is of the Whitestone Bridge.  For those who are not acquainted with the geography of New York City, two bridges span the east river connectng the boroughs of the Bronx and Queens. They are both dramatic suspension bridges and for anyone living anywhere near them, they  offer up quite a great combination of cityscape and water views.

Last week I had a photo shoot in the Bronx and the location was really unique.  The home in question was nestled between the Throgs Neck and Whitestone bridges with views of both from the immediate neighborhood.  Such a location with such clear views of both bridges is more than a tad unique and so after photographing the home, I spent a bit of time in the immediate area taking pictures of the water views and cityscapes from the street.  I wasn't sure if I was going to use them for the listing,since the home didn't really have a direct view of the suspension bridge, but at the end of the day, I felt that the views of the bridges and the NYC skyline were part of the flavor of that neighborhood.  I sent them to the listing agent along with the shots of the home because I thought they might add character to the listing.

Sometimes it can be a fine line as to what is appropriate, but the views I shot were within  a block of the home and anyone owning the home would have the benefit of these views literally just outside their door.  Its this sort of information that can often draw a buyer to a listing they might not otherwise be interested in.

© 2013 - RGHicks - http://fotosonthefly.biz - All rights reserved.

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Ruthmarie, I think you are absolutely correct, photos like these do show the "flavor" of the neighborhood and people want to know what it's like to live there.  If I were to look at two homes that are equal and one of them would give me a chance to see these views while driving or walking down the street, guess which one I would pick! 

Sep 30, 2013 08:16 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Yes, great shot and that is super for that neighborhood.  While it may not be quite right for the listing itself, it might be nice to do a neighborhood post for the area and include them there.

Sep 30, 2013 08:18 PM
Geri Sonkin
Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103 - Merrick, NY
Long Island Real Estate & Staging Expert
I started adding neighborhood views to my listing marketing a number of years ago when I realized buyers were buying more than just bricks and mortar. They were buying a neighborhood, a lifestyle. That listing agent was lucky you added the extra shots of the gorgeous views.
Sep 30, 2013 09:28 PM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

Hi Silvia - The area has great views. Look in one direction you see water and one suspension bridge, look in the other direction and you get the NYC skyline and another suspension bridge. 

Hi Debbie - It actually was appropriate because it really is just outside their door.  Other buildings unfortunately block the direct view from the home, though it too has some very impressive views. 

Hi Geri - Buyers want the whole package.  If you can give them great views just outside the door, then you should. I don't often get anything that obvious to work with in terms of neighborhood when I go to areas that are not on home turf. Those were the views I saw going from my car to the property. 

Oct 01, 2013 03:01 AM