I was looking at some properties to show a client when I found some of the worst photos I have ever seen on the MLS. I got to thinking about the impact of really bad photographs on the sale of a home. These days homes are advertised on the internet where thousands of people see the pictures. Photographs are used as a screening tool by real estate agents and buyers.
I often wonder if home sellers look at the photographs when they are put in the MLS and if they do look at the photographs why they don’t ask to have them redone if they are as poor as this one.
Does the home in the picture look at all appealing? Will this picture attract buyers or ridicule? If your home is on the market look it up on the internet and check out the photographs. if they are not up to par ask for professional photographs.
Keep in mind that the best pictures do not just document the home but show it in the best possible way, we call that marketing.
Every real estate agent I’ve ever run into echoes your statement that good pictures are essential — until it’s time to pay a professional photographer for them, when all of a sudden good pictures don’t seem so essential. I’ve met agents who didn’t think half-million-dollar houses should have professional photos for MLS and handouts. One wonders how long they’ll be selling houses.
Honestly I think it would help if home sellers checked those pictures and complained.
Interesting. I have been thinking my marketing audience was real-estate agents, but maybe I need to advertise to home sellers as well…
Yes some home owners will insist on professional photography and some will even hire the photographer but most won’t even realize they have the option and many seem to believe that real estate agents are photographers