How Many Photos Should Your Listing Have?

We have heard the statistics – tech savvy millennials are dominating the housing market; more than half of homes purchased are originally located via online outlets; and yes, 45% of offers are being made before buyers even step foot in the home.

The fact of the matter remains, however, that buying a home is still one of the most expensive, most important, and most emotional purchases we make. As a result, it is your listing photos left bridging the virtual gap.

Because the initial part of the home-buying process is now taking place online instead of in person, your photos must convey the property’s full potential through its photo gallery all on its own.

So, the only question left then is exactly how many photos do you need?

The short answer: it varies.

But here are a few key elements you’ll want to your photo gallery to address to ensure your potential buyers are hooked on your home.

Tell Me a Story

One great way to decide what photos to include is by imagining you are giving a buyer the grand tour in person. When they visit, what would it be like from the moment they step out of the car?

Decide the path you would take them up the sidewalk and into the home, what the must-see features are, and the story you want them to weave around themselves living here.

Show What You Tell

As you take this imaginary tour, remember, for every detail entered in the listing description, there should be a photo that a buyer can pair up with it.

There’s nothing more disappointing than hearing about an amazing upgrade… then having no photo to zoom in on and examine. It could cost you a buyer’s decision to take a closer look.

Less Can Be More

That said, just like any good author, leaving some detail to the imagination can propel interest to keep exploring the story being told. Highlighting design elements and showcasing the most appealing features of the home are important, but you don’t necessarily need a shot of the same space from every single corner of the room.

Ultimately, the point of the listing gallery is to entice your buyers to make the next move – whether it be a call to set an in-person tour, or to actually submit an offer on the home.

It truly depends on the size and features of the property being listed, but research says that fewer than 10 high-quality snapshots can leave you overlooked, while more than 20 has the potential for being overkill.

Personally, our rule of thumb is to try and offer as many photos as you need in order to tell the story your buyer should hear. However, know that a dozen amazing professional images will always draw more buyer interest than two dozen unthoughtful, un-staged, under-lit listing photos any day.

Ready to have photos taken of a new listing? You can book our services through our site if you’d like. Or give us a call at 907-268-7701.

Should Your Listings Have Drone Photography

Maintaining a foothold in today’s extremely competitive housing market means agents everywhere are vying for the latest and greatest in marketing solutions to ensure closing rates. One question many are asking is whether aerial photography is worth the investment.

In our opinion, there are three distinct scenarios in which drone photography can be a huge asset in moving your listing to the forefront of buyers’ “favorite” lists.

The Dramatic Domicile

Sometimes, it is all about the drama. When your buyer has a close to 50/50 chance of submitting an offer online before ever stepping foot in your home, an amazing gallery can very well be the deciding factor.

An aerial shot from a second-story vaulted ceiling down onto an open-concept floor plan, or one that shows a wide-angle perspective across a sweeping second story balcony can be exactly the “drama” a future owner is willing to pay for.

It’s also a great way for potential homebuyers to get a sneak peek behind privacy fences in order to confirm the area is the one they really want to be in.

When It’s Rated Walkable

Speaking of areas homebuyers want to be in, walkability is one U.S. trend sweeping our cityscapes. When your real estate listing is scored as walkable, drone photography is the perfect visual to pair with those description details.

Why?

Because offering a birds-eye-view of the new neighborhood can reveal exactly what is within walking distance, when a potential buyer might want to opt for a bike ride, or which routes (and shortcuts) are available.

There are varying degrees of walkability, of course. But even if your home is rated as only being able to walk to a few areas of interest – a park or a few restaurants or stores, for example – shots from above are a perfect way to share.   

A Sweeping Estate

Last, when you are selling a high-end property or one with extended acreage, drone photography is a must.

Sweeping shots of a ranch, for instance, can reveal wooded areas, watering holes, and the lay of the land for whatever dreams potential buyers plan to realize. Overhead photos of large-scale homes and the property surrounding them can offer scale that individual photos simply can’t capture.

This is one of many bells and whistles a high-end buyer is going to expect as a standard to the higher price point your property will command.

Ultimately, we believe drone photography is worth the investment, but not in every case. There is a fine line between what a buyer sees as a thorough and informative listing and overkill with no reason to pursue a home further.

If you have a particular property for which you are considering drone photography, but aren’t sure whether it’s worth the investment, give us a call. We’ll be happy to offer our advice!

Why You Should Hire a Professional for MLS Photos

Years ago, before online real estate listings were a thing, a drive-by was the main way a potential buyer could assess a home that was on sale. Back then, even if a buyer was just looking, they probably had to attend an open house to get a glimpse of the listing.

Those were the days when curb appeal was so important that a buyer might lose interest in a home just because there were weeds or dead grass on the driveway - regardless of how great the home was on the inside. Conversely, a listing with a great curb appeal often performed very well on the market.

These days, however, technology has changed the game completely. The vast majority of buyers now search for their homes online. Consequently, photos might be not just your best, but in many cases your only shot at impressing potential buyers.

Professional Shots Are Taken to Impress - and Sell

Most buyers have limited time to review the photos in an MLS listing. At most, you have about 20-30 seconds to impress a buyer with your property photos. If your photos reflect poorly on your property, buyers will quickly skim over your listing and move on to the next one.

So, while it might seem easier to take listing photos yourself using your smartphone, you should know that your shots are unlikely to measure up to the quality of professional real estate photography done by an experienced, well-equipped photographer. An experienced real estate photographer will draw buyers in through exceptional presentation of your property.

Professional Skill, Experience, nd Equipment Gives Your Listing An Upper Hand

The current real estate market is a competitive one. Listings that stand out or “pop” have a significant advantage over other properties. You can make your MLS listing “pop” by posting the type of pictures that show your property at its very best.

A professional photographer does his or her best to make your property look as beautiful as possible - sometimes even more beautiful than it does in real life. Unlike professional photos, amatuer pictures can be grainy, with tilted floors and walls, and colors that are simply off.

Professional photographers also know a lot about staging a room before taking photos. This is incredibly important, because most your rooms will not be camera-ready if you shoot them yourself.

We understand that there are some incredibly talented shutterbugs in our midst. However, real estate photography requires special equipment and tools that you might not have. The cameras you use may, for instance, have numerous shortcomings. These shortcomings could, for example, make your window with the amazing view look like a wall of white light. Or cause impressive architectural designs to warp into strange, unappealing shapes.

That’s not the kind of first impressions that attracts buyers.

The Numbers Get Better With Professional Photos

Statistically speaking, professional photos generate about 60% more online views than point-and-click photos. Moreover, listings with professional photos generally command higher prices than those with amateur photos. Finally, homes priced at over $200,000 sell faster when the listing features professional photography.

So, what are you waiting for? Turn off the camera function and use your phone as a -- you know -- phone! The sooner you give us a call, the faster we can help you get your property sold.