Clients Unsure about Buying or Selling Alaska Real Estate During the Pandemic? Pros and Cons

Even as stocks whipsaw and unemployment rates hover around record highs, the  US housing market is making a surprising comeback. Across the US, home prices are surging and homebuying is up more than 16 percent. Here in Alaska specifically, the real estate market is flourishing. 

Right now, the number of properties for sale is relatively low. At the same time, low interest rates mean increased buying power, which is positive for both buyers and sellers. 

The Pros and Cons of Buying During the Pandemic

Even with these positive signs, homeowners and homebuyers may remain reluctant to sell in these uncertain times. If your prospective clients are unsure whether to buy or sell Alaska real estate during COVID-19, here are some pros and cons to discuss: 

Pro: Less Competition 

As we mentioned, the number of homes on the Alaska market right now is low. A small inventory translates to less competition, giving sellers more wiggle room to negotiate on price, terms, and dates. 

Pro: Low Interest Rates 

Thanks to the federal rate cut, interest rates are currently at historic lows. Low interest rates benefit both buyers and sellers: With lower payments, buyers may qualify for bigger, more modern homes, while sellers can more easily find a new home when their previous home is sold. 

Con: Economic Uncertainty 

With many Americans losing their jobs, more and more buyers may not be able to qualify for loans. This could result in pending sales having to be canceled. Still, with interest rates as low as they are, if clients can qualify for loans, there has never been a better time. 

Con: Fewer Buyers

In addition to fewer houses on the market, there may also be fewer buyers. With Alaskans concerned for their health, safety, and finances, you may find that less people are interested in shopping for a home. However, this seems to be largely offset by the dearth of properties currently on the market.

Additionally, with more time at home, the people who are thinking of purchasing a home may spend more time scouring the internet for a property. This creates an opportunity for more viewers to find your online listing. If you have an eye-catching listing with professional images and a virtual tour, you could be in a position to benefit.

Pro/Con: New Realities for Property Showings

In the age of social distancing, arranging showings can be a challenge. Sellers and buyers alike may not be comfortable with traditional in-person viewings.

On the flip side, though, more virtual showings can actually make things easier — for both sides. Buyers don’t have to spend hours driving around neighborhoods touring properties and worrying about the possibility of catching the virus. And sellers don’t have to plan their lives around showings and vacate the premises on short notice. 

What it does mean, though, is that right now it is particularly important to have high-quality, professional photographs and videos ready. If you want to elevate your listings to the next level with features like virtual or 3D tours, we invite you to contact DMD Real Estate Photography. 

Buying or selling a home during the COVID-19 pandemic does not come without challenges. However, savvy realtors and well-informed homeowners and buyers can address these challenges head-on and even turn them into positives. 

Top Problems for Real Estate Photos — and How Your Photographer Will Help You Avoid Them

If you are a seasoned real estate business owner or agent, you probably know the value of high-quality real estate photos. 

Quite simply, the data shows that homes with professional real estate photos sell faster and for money. And today, with more homebuyers relying on the internet as part of their home search, having high-quality, professional photos on a listing is more important than ever. 

The photos featured on online listings can impact the selling price, how quickly the home is sold, and even if the property ends up being sold at all. First impressions are impactful, and homeowners will likely move on to the next listing if the images on your listing don’t catch their eye. Your real estate photos can also influence their opinion of a home before they see it in person.  

4 Common Real Estate Photography Problems 

Of course, capturing eye-catching, beautiful images of a property isn’t always easy. Here are four common problems you may encounter when taking pictures of properties (and how a professional photographer can help you avoid or fix them):  

Bright windows, dark rooms 

If you’ve ever tried to photograph an interior yourself, you may have noticed that the room looks darker than the windows. Exposing the shot will either make the room even darker… or the windows even brighter. You’ll also make it harder to see features or the view outside, both of which are pretty important when trying to sell a space. 

A professional real estate photographer can help you take photos that show the interior, windows, and exterior view through a special technique called bracketed exposures. This strategy combines multiple images to produce an end shot that is properly exposed throughout. 

Sunlight vs. artificial lighting 

It can be tricky to balance sunlight and artificial lighting in an interior photograph. In images, natural light from the sun often appears as a cool blue, while artificial lighting from interior lamps comes off as overly warm. When both sunlight and artificial light exist within the same image, it can cause an imbalance of color.  

To fix this common issue, a professional photographer will use a type of powerful lamp called a strobe. Strobes generate a bright light that prevents color imbalance by lighting all spaces equally with the same source. 

Small spaces 

With small spaces like bathrooms or closets, it can be difficult to include everything in one shot. A professional photographer can help by taking the photo with a wide-angle lens. To ensure a straight line throughout, your photographer may also need to update the image in the post-processing phase. 

Improper angles 

Angles are particularly important in real estate photography. While photographing a room at the right angle can make a room feel bright and airy, doing it at the wrong angle can make the same room seem cramped. An experienced photographer will know exactly how to work angles to make the interior of your property look its best. 

DMD is made up of a team of talented and dedicated professional real estate photographers who not only know the industry, but also all of the nuances of getting the best shots in a unique place like Alaska. When you want to make sure your listing photos really stand out, get in touch with us.

Emphasize a Home's Walkability with Images

There’s a lot of demand for homes that have a high “walkability” rating. This is an easier trait to find in urban centers, where public transport and grocery stores are usually nearby. But homes can have a lot of walkability even in smaller towns. The trick is showing that to your potential buyers. 

Now, we may be a bit biased when we say this, but pictures are the easiest, most evocative way to show walkability. How so? What kinds of images work the best?

Zoomed Out Photos 

It’s tempting to focus on showing off the front of the house and nothing else. And of course curb appeal is important. But don’t forget to also include photos that give potential buyers some perspective. 

Well-maintained sidewalks and tidy curbs signal that the house is in a walkable location. A shady, tree-lined avenue can help potential buyers imagine themselves walking home. Well-maintained homes next door demonstrate that the neighborhood is safe for pedestrians. If potential buyers can “see” themselves walking around, walkability will feel more real to them. 

You can also include things like bikes or bike lanes in the framing of the pictures. A bike lane is appealing in the same way as a nice sidewalk. It shows that the community is dedicated to keeping cars to a minimum. It’s also a nice buffer between the sidewalks and the road, keeping pedestrians safer. 

Include Pictures of the Neighborhood 

People have preferences in where they spend time. In general, well-maintained storefronts, coffee shops, and parks are most appealing. Include pictures of nice places within walking distance of the home. It’s easier to be excited about a specific cute cafe or a favorite grocery store rather than a vague idea. 

Pictures of a neighborhood can and should include multiple businesses if possible. A really walkable neighborhood has things close together. So if the hardware store has a grocery store next door, make sure to highlight that. Ditto a hair salon located across the street from a daycare center. Having more options makes the neighborhood more appealing. 

If there’s a public transport stop nearby, that’s another plus! Include an image of that stop as well. People who like walkability also appreciate public transportation. A bus stop within a short walk of the house can be a big draw. That can increase a buyer’s assessment of a home’s walkability by a lot. 

Beyond Zoomed Out

Aerial shots — including drone photography — are a fantastic way to visually represent distance for people while providing them with some potentially beautiful views.

Rather than telling someone such-and-such is a few blocks away, a picture from a drone flying overhead can let them see for themselves and serve as a nice topographical map. You don’t have to stop with the immediate surroundings of the home, either. If there’s a nice, walkable shopping district nearby, you can take aerial shots to let everyone see how close together everything is.

Bottom line? “Walkability” is a difficult concept to capture with words. A “15-minute walk” may not sound appealing, but if you show people how close things are in images, it can really make a difference. 

But the photos still have to be high-quality. Professional real estate photographers know how to frame their images effectively. They can help you curate the right collection of pictures to show off the home and the neighborhood. If you have any questions about getting professional walkability photos of your property, contact us today for more information.