Hands down! The
importance of hiring a professional Real estate photography company
cannot be overemphasized.
Hiring a professional for your real estate photoshoot to enhance your properties will help you sell your listings faster and for more money. Just listen to the experts: The National Association of Realtors reports “98% of home buyers who searched for a home online said photos were among the most useful features of real-estate websites,” and, “listings with nicer photos gain anywhere between $934 and $116,076”. Redfin found that professionally shot photos resulted in 61% more views. And the Institute for Behavioral and Experimental Real Estate discovering that on average buyers spend 60% of their time on photos and only 20% on the remarks. Real Estate Photography has proven to be a crucial element to any successful real estate marketing plan.
What are Some Staging Recommendations for Exterior Shoots?
To make sure you get the best shot possible follow this simple staging checklist:
- Mow and rake the grass
- Wash, sweep and dry all pavement
- Remove: Trash cans, any lawn equipment, or vehicles
- Clean and open your pool. Remove the pool cleaner.
- Make sure all exterior lights work and replace bulbs as needed.
- Checking all lights and then turning them all on
- Cleaning all windows, inside and out
- Dusting every surface
- Place towels on all towel racks
- Remove rugs, open floors make the space look bigger
- Tidy closets, although most smaller closets are not photographed
- Remove magnets from the fridge
- Edit artwork
- Hide: trash cans, toiletries, magazines, religious artwork, family photos, hanging kitchen towels.
- Make all the beds with pride
By taking care of these items before your real estate photographer arrives, you not only get better results, you make the most of the time your photographer is on site. If you have difficulty, most
professional photographers can edit these out of the photograph at an additional cost. They even have the ability to open a closed pool.
What are Some Staging Recommendations for Interior Shoots?
Staging can make or break the success of a photo shoot. Many real estate agents choose to hire a professional stager, as it’s proven to have measurable results. If you plan to stage your listing yourself, start by:
- Checking all lights and then turning them all on
- Cleaning all windows, inside and out
- Dusting every surface
- Place towels on all towel racks
- Remove rugs, open floors make the space look bigger
- Tidy closets, although most smaller closets are not photographed
- Remove magnets from the fridge
- Edit artwork
- Hide: trash cans, toiletries, magazines, religious artwork, family photos, hanging kitchen towels.
- Make all the beds with pride
The rule of thumb for DIY interior staging is to remove all evidence of day to day living. You want to create a clean canvas for the potential buyer to imagine their own life in your home.
Real Estate Photography Sample Shot List
One of the worst things you can do on a photo shoot is “wing it.” Coming prepared with a shot list, will ensure you make the most of your time with your photographer. Though real estate photographers are professionals, you and your seller know the home best – you know what features buyers in the area are looking for, and by listing them, you and your photographer can work as a team to capture them.
A sample shot list can include everything from:
- Exterior Approaches
- Great Room/Family Room
- Kitchen
- Eat-In Kitchen Area
- Master Bedroom
- Master Bathroom
- Guest Bedrooms
- Guest Bathroom
- Back Exteriors
- Formal Dining
- Formal Living
- Media Room
- Game Room
- Subdivision Amenities
- Any other features the homeowner considers important to highlight. Maybe things that were important to them when they purchased the home.
To ensure the most out your real estate photo shoot, detail what selling features you want to be captured.
Family Room
– Showcasing the room itself, but also show how it may connect to the rest of the house.
Kitchen –
Including any detail shots of name brand appliances and backsplash or countertops.
Master Bathroom
– be sure to feature any designer hardware or double sinks.
Subdivision Amenities
– One of the main perks of community living, don’t forget to showcase the community amenities.
Making notes like these will ensure that you please both your listing client and potential buyers. Make the most of your photography investment and prepare ahead of time.
Hometrack Real Estate Marketing
| Author: Mike Ales | Copyright July 2019