Realtor FAQ: Everything You’ve Wanted to Ask About Real Estate Media
You know great media matters.
You also know you don’t have unlimited time or budget.
Photos, video, drone, 3D tours, floor plans, reels, social clips… it can feel like a lot.
So let’s slow it down and answer the questions most Realtors actually ask when no one’s watching.
Use this as a guide, or share it with your team as a quick reference for your next listing.
1. Do I really need professional photos for every listing?
Short answer? If it’s going online, yes.
Even “starter” homes and lower price points deserve clean, bright photos because:
Your brand is on every listing
Buyers judge the agent as much as the property
Bad photos get fewer clicks, fewer showings, and less energy in that crucial first week
Professional photos help:
Make rooms look brighter and more spacious
Show true colors and details
Keep your listing visually consistent with your other marketing
Think of pro photos as your baseline media. Everything else builds on top of that.
2. When is video worth it? Is it just a “nice extra”?
Video isn’t just about being fancy—it’s about experience.
Walkthrough video is especially helpful when:
You want buyers to feel the flow of the home
You’re working with out-of-town or relocation clients
The layout is unique and photos alone don’t tell the story
You want extra content for social media and ads
A good real estate video:
Gives buyers a sense of how you move from room to room
Helps them imagine daily life in the home
Keeps them on your listing or page longer
Is it required for every single listing? No.
Is it a strong differentiator when you’re competing for attention? Absolutely.
3. Do drone photos actually help, or are they just “cool”?
Drone is powerful when it answers questions buyers already have:
How big is the yard, really?
How close are the neighbors?
What’s behind the house?
How does the property sit in the neighborhood or landscape?
Drone works best for:
Homes near parks, open space, water, or views
Properties with large yards, shops, barns, RV parking, or long driveways
Land, cabins, and semi-rural listings
Used well, drone isn’t just “cool”—it’s clarifying. It helps buyers decide if the property fits their life before they even book a showing.
4. What’s the difference between a walkthrough video and a 3D virtual tour?
They’re both great—but they do different jobs.
Walkthrough Video:
Feels more like a guided tour
Great for emotion and storytelling
Easy to repurpose for social media
Perfect for busy or out-of-area buyers who want a quick feel for the home
3D Virtual Tour (Matterport-style):
Feels more like a self-guided, 24/7 open house
Buyers can click around at their own pace
Helpful for detailed planners and relocation clients
Lets buyers revisit the home multiple times online
If you want experience + social content, choose video.
If you want maximum detail + “walk any time” access, consider adding 3D.
On higher-value or unique properties, doing both can be a big win.
5. Are floor plans really that important?
Short answer: more than you think.
Floor plans help buyers:
Understand the layout instantly
See room sizes and relationships
Figure out furniture placement
Decide if the home even could work for them
Floor plans also reduce:
“This isn’t what I expected” showings
Endless questions about room sizes and layout
Hesitation from serious, organized buyers
They’re especially helpful for:
Relocation clients
Multi-level homes
Unique or non-standard layouts
Think of a floor plan as the truth-teller: it builds trust and sets clear expectations.
6. How much media is “enough” for a listing?
Here’s a simple framework you can tweak:
Baseline for almost any listing:
Professional photos
Strong tier (most mid–upper listings):
Photos
Drone (if location/lot helps)
Floor plan
Premium / standout tier (key or special listings):
Photos
Drone
Walkthrough video or 3D tour (or both)
Floor plan
Short social-ready clips
You don’t have to do everything for every listing—but you should be intentional.
Ask: “What does this property need for buyers to understand and feel it?”
7. How fast should I expect photos and media back?
Turnaround times vary by company and season, but a common pattern is:
Photos: about 24–48 hours
Drone, video, floor plans, 3D tours: sometimes 48–72 hours, depending on complexity
A good media partner will:
Set clear expectations up front
Communicate if timing needs to adjust
Help you plan your go-live date and marketing schedule
If you’re constantly waiting or guessing, that’s a sign to revisit the relationship.
8. What should I tell my sellers about prepping before photo day?
Sellers don’t need perfection—they need direction.
You can share a simple prep list like:
Clean kitchen & bathrooms
Clear counters (kitchen & baths)
Put away personal items (toothbrushes, meds, kids’ names, etc.)
Turn on all lights
Open blinds and curtains
Hide trash cans, pet bowls, and litter boxes if possible
Park cars away from the driveway/front of the home
Reassure them:
“We’re aiming for bright, clean, and inviting—not impossible perfection.”
A good media team (like DMD) will also make small tweaks on-site: straighten chairs, adjust blinds, fix a throw pillow, move a trash can, etc.
9. Can I reuse my media for social media and branding?
Yes—and you should.
Your listing media isn’t just for MLS. It can power:
Just Listed / Just Sold posts
Reels and short-form video
Story tours and “Swipe to see inside” posts
Market updates featuring your best visuals
Listing presentation slides and marketing examples
The more consistent your media looks across platforms, the more recognizable your brand becomes.
Ask your media partner for:
Social-ready versions of photos or clips
Vertical crops or short video segments when possible
Think of each shoot as giving you a mini library of content.
10. How do I know if my media is actually helping my business (not just the listing)?
A few signs your media is doing more than just “checking the box”:
Sellers say things like, “Wow, I love how our home looks!”
Other agents comment on your marketing
Your social posts get more saves, shares, and comments
Your listing presentations feel stronger because you can say,
“Here’s how I’ll market your home.”
Over time, you want people in your market to think:
“That agent always has great photos and marketing.”
That’s when media stops being just an expense and becomes brand-building.
11. How do I choose the right real estate media partner?
You’re not just buying photos—you’re building a relationship.
Look for a media partner who:
Specializes in real estate (not just general photography)
Delivers consistent quality
Has clear pricing and packages
Communicates well about scheduling and turnaround
Respects your time and your sellers’ homes
Listens to your requests (key angles, features, and priorities)
A great media team should make your life easier, not more complicated.
They should feel like part of your listing process—not a random third party you hope works out.
Final Thoughts: Ask the Questions. Build the System.
Real estate media doesn’t have to be confusing.
If you:
Use professional photos as your standard
Add drone, video, 3D, and floor plans when they genuinely help
Give your sellers clear prep guidance
Partner with a media team you trust
…you’ll stop guessing and start running a repeatable system for every listing.
Want a Media Team That Welcomes Your Questions?
If you’re a Realtor who wants:
Straight answers about media
A partner who listens to your ideas
Consistent, high-quality visuals you’re proud to put your name on
DMD Real Estate Photography is here to support you and your business—one listing at a time
“Book Your Next Listing Shoot with DMD Real Estate Photography”
We’ll handle the media.
You handle the relationships and the closings. 🏡✨
