The “do’s and don’ts” of Listing Photographs
A picture is worth a thousand words. In the case of listing photographs, a picture can also be worth thousands of dollars. In the visual world of Instagram and facebook, people have come to expect high quality images that tell stories and invite us in.
When it comes to buying houses, many people turn to the supercomputer in their pockets (smartphones!) to do initial research. For sellers and real estate agents, it has never been more important to capture a house’s value and tell a narrative story with the images they choose to feature on a listing.
So, here are a few do’s and don’ts of listing photographs. Happy snapping!
DO: Use the images to tell a story
You should order your photographs so they invite the viewer to take a tour of your home. You want the potential buyer to picture themselves taking advantage of all the wonderful features on offer. First, let them walk through the front door, then proceed to other parts of the home. Do your best to use warm and inviting images and keep it simple!
DON’T: Take blurry pictures!
It seems like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many blurry listing photographs we come across! Invest in small and simple tripod to help you get the best shots of the home and to guarantee clear images.
DO: Take aerial photographs
Aerial photographs add a wow factor to your listing and tend to make a great impression on potential buyers. This is particularly important when you want to highlight the acreage and the grounds of the property, or proximity to the beach or intracoastal. It can cost a little extra to have these images taken, but you should recoup the cost by separating yourself from other listings. Our favorite local resource is David De Souza, an immensely talented artist capable of bring the best out of your listing. Find out all about him on his website!
DON’T: Use images without editing
It’s not disingenuous to edit your listing photographs after you’ve taken them. As long as you’re being faithful to the space, editing helps you showcase your home. There are lots of free photo editing software tools out there – find the one that suits you!
DO: Take advantage of the natural light
Natural light really helps a property to shine, so try to incorporate it into your listing photographs as much as possible. Make sure the pictures are taken on a day when the weather is co-operating to avoid dark and dreary-looking photographs. Natural light is a major selling point and helps to highlight the best features of a home.
DON’T: Feature holiday décor
In general, it’s best to avoid having holiday decorations in your listing photographs. While the décor might be impressive to you, people would rather picture themselves in the home during more than one time of year. Research shows it’s best to put the decorations away for the photo shoot!
Hopefully these tips help you make your listing shine.
If you need any more information, get in touch with one of our local experts!