.show-on-scroll-wrapper.show #header{ visibility: hidden; }

Three Shots Every Alaska Real Estate Listing Should Have

As a seasoned real estate professional, you understand that real estate listing photos are important. Working in Alaska, you also likely know that the quality of your galleries is especially important here due to the fact that so many buyers not only come from out-of-state but frequently buy properties without ever seeing them in person. 

You absolutely need your images to sell potential buyers on the home you’re selling.

There are a lot of things that go into creating a fantastic gallery of photos for a listing - lighting, composition, and overall gallery seamlessness. But we believe there are specific shots that matter, too. In fact, our experience has taught us that there are three key shots every Alaska real estate listing should have. 

The Alaskan Dream

Why do clients choose Alaska if not to live like they’re on vacation every day of the year? Every Alaska home listing should have at the very least one photo (and really more) that draws the viewer into that “Alaskan dream.” 

It could be a shot taken from the living room. Or a sweeping master suite complete with sitting area. Or an outdoor balcony. All three, if you can. 

These images should capture the size of the space, the unparalleled Alaskan view, and staging to create the moment every Alaskan dreamer is looking for: a clean, comfortable space, and a way to commune with nature (even if it’s from the coziness of indoors).

One of the best ways to capture this must-have piece of your listing’s story is by using a wide-angle lens. Often you’ll catch an experienced Alaskan real estate photographer snapping what seems like an endless stream of photos of the same space because they’re working hard to capture that “dream” shot. 

The Most Private Retreat

A stunning bathroom photo is the must-have next on our list. Of course, the space should be clean, and all the necessary amenities should be featured. That said, this is also sometimes the most private retreat we have for ourselves when we share a home with others. 

Your prospective buyers should also understand what features will make moments of self-care the most comfortable or luxurious - double showerheads, low-light heat lamps, a freestanding soaking tub, heated floors?

The bathroom is often one of the most challenging images to capture well. Here at DMD, we always try to walk-through the home so that our photographers are able to note the best features, assess lighting and angles, and to talk about various staging requests.

Into the Alaskan Outdoors

It should go without saying that exterior photos are paramount to selling an Alaskan home. Shots should include the outside of the building itself, as well as the surrounding property and views. 

Securing amazing exterior shots takes a number of specific professional photography skills - starting with lighting. In order to tackle some of the lighting challenges here in Alaska, it isn’t uncommon for photographers here to schedule more than one shoot (and at different times of day) to capture the right images.

Depending on the property, you may want a professional drone photographer on your team in order to capture various property features, views, and amenities.

Again, these are just a handful of important shots. There are many others. But if you don’t see at least these things happening, ask questions. Otherwise, your listing galleries may not be the best they can be.

Quality listing photos could mean the difference between your listings garnering the attention they deserve and missing that crucial Alaskan peak-season window altogether. 

If you have any doubts at all about whether you’re asking the right questions of your photographer or need help developing high-quality photo galleries for your listings, call DMD Real Estate Photography. Our greatest satisfaction comes from being a part of our Alaskan real estate partners’ success!


29% of Home Buyers May Be Searching for a Vacation Home: How to Target Them

Think about the last time you were on vacation. Did you peruse the local real estate listings while you were there? Our bet is you probably did. 

Well, you’re not alone - many of your clients are likely doing this as well. Redfin recently reported that nearly a third of their users confirmed they searched for properties while in a vacation destination. 

With Alaska host to more than two million visitors each year, that means huge potential for you.

So, how can you target your listing to attract the attention of people looking to buy a vacation home here?

Research on How to Speak to a Second Home Buyer’s Needs

While creating most of your listings is simply a matter of keying in the facts and figures, it’s the description and the photos that allow you to truly showcase a property. You also already understand that each property caters to a specific client. 

Families like open floor plans for sightlines and room for the little ones to run and play. Empty nesters and retirees want something smaller - less maintenance that way. And everyone comes to Alaska for the picturesque landscapes and proximity to nature.

You already write your descriptions to highlight what’s most likely to draw in the appropriate buyers. We know because when we partner as your real estate photographers, we do the same with our images. 

So what does the research say about the elements vacation home buyers are looking for? What should we focus on when we’re speaking to them?

First, you need to know what they want.

The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing points out that vacation and other second homebuyers are typically making real estate decisions primarily for their own enjoyment.

41% Purchase for Vacations

When nearly half of those looking for a second home have vacations in mind, it only makes sense to include language in your listing that tells a buyer that your property is a place where they can unwind. 

A subtle edit, for example, from master “suite” to master “retreat” could broaden your listing’s appeal without alienating buyers seeking a primary residence. From a staging perspective, the furniture layout in the master bedroom may include a sitting area to play up the retreat idea. 

Our photographers would highlight this staging, fantastic master room views, and any master bath features that lend to the idea of a getaway.

31% Want a Family Retreat

Speaking of “retreat, ” a third of those clients looking to purchase a second home want a family retreat. Most of the time this means a place to make forever memories. So when you think about those best moments with your family, what do they all seem to have in common? 

We think the three most common elements of every family retreat are: 

  1. Meet Together. 

  2. Eat Together. 

  3. Play Together. 

If you have the perfect property for family retreats, you’re going to want to focus on the common areas where these things happen. 

In your descriptions, you’ll want to play up how many family members a given space can accommodate, and what kind of family activities they should imagine happening there. 

Photographs should include both outdoor and indoor family areas that are well-staged to suggest those retreat-like moments.   

28% View the Purchase of a Second Home as Investment Diversification

The other aspect that most home buyers are thinking of - especially those buying a second one - is how it will work as an investment. 

The current value of the home, information on the market and where it’s going, the potential financial benefits from the investment - these are key insights you can weave into a description to begin building confidence that the property they are looking at is the investment they’re seeking. 

We also recommend incorporating important elements like walkability to local shops and restaurants or recreational areas through drone photography. These visuals help a buyer get a real sense of the added value in an investment like this.

If you have any questions about this research or would like to discuss how DMD Real Estate Photography can help you capture second home buyers’ attention through your listings, don’t hesitate to reach out.


Three Websites Where You Should Post Your Real Estate Listings

You’ve put together a great listing with amazing photos (with our help, hopefully!). Now you’re ready to post the listing… but where are you likely to get the best response?

Obviously, you’ll upload your properties to your brokerage home site, which will enable you to include your listings in every digital marketing opportunity that coincides with it. You’re also likely taking full advantage of your agency’s MLS access and enjoying the way those listings automatically feed into key public sites like Realtor, Trulia, and Zillow. (We look forward to hearing Redfin has hit the Alaska market sooner rather than later, too!)

That’s a great start. But are there other websites out there that can help you get an edge over your competitors here in Alaska? If they’re pay sites, is it worth it?

From our experience, the answer is yes. But you don’t just have to take our word for it...

AK Real Estate Consumer Trends Say More Digital Presence Is Better

As you are likely well aware, Alaska’s real estate market is unique compared to the Lower 48. This is largely due to the greater likelihood of working with homebuyers who are willing to purchase sight unseen. 

How do you get someone to buy homes without ever seeing them in person? Make sure they can find them online. About half of homebuyers now find the home they ultimately purchase on the internet, so you need to make sure that your listings are ubiquitous online.

It starts with the major players we mentioned above, obviously, but once you’ve got that covered, we believe there are three other “must-have” digital real estate listing locations for Alaskan realtors.

Here’s a little about each:

HomeFinder.com

Cost: Memberships start at $39/month

Features: Unlimited photos, direct client contact, easy social sharing, advertising options, mortgage calculator

DMD Opinion: This network seems to be a no-nonsense kind of listing tool. It appears you can list at no charge, but the paid memberships with HomeFinder.com include priority placement - something which can be key to getting noticed in a cluttered market. 

We especially like the idea of being able to include as many photos as you need to tell the property’s story. Here in Alaska, it can often be a grand one!

Homes.com

Cost: Free to Claim Your Profile

Features: Unlimited photos, direct client contact, easy social sharing, advertising options, mortgage calculator

DMD Opinion: We look at including this site into your marketing mix as a matter of housekeeping. Some have compared the user experience to online dating. Buyers key in property criteria, and each search result listing is assigned a unique match rating. 

There are currently close to 5,000 Alaska properties listed, and creating your professional profile allows you to claim both listings and consumer leads. It also provides its own conversion tools - which can possibly incorporate into your overall conversion calculations.

Facebook.com (and Instagram)

Cost: Free | Set Your Own Budget

Features: Unlimited albums, Built-in Personal Audience, Geo- and Demo-targeted ad placement, easy crossover between platforms.

DMD Opinion: For those Alaska realtors already utilizing Facebook and Instagram to enhance your real estate business, consider adding paid, targeted ad placement to drive more users (ahem, leads) to your broker site listings. 

This kind of placement is great because you can invest as little - or as much - as you want, and you can double down and run multiple campaigns separately targeting local buyers’ agents and potential clients at the same time.

Even better? DMD can help you tailor your ad images and album galleries to appeal to the specific audience you are trying to reach for a given property!

In sum, we believe you can further increase your visibility by tapping into these three key online opportunities. Additionally, we suggest maximizing your exposure through photo add-on and enhanced placement packages for proven channels.

If you have questions about developing listings for your Alaska properties on these sites or are ready to work on some amazing expanded galleries together, we’re here for you. Call DMD Real Estate Photography anytime!