The Power of a Photo

Great Realtors Know the Power of Great Photos!

You see them every day, some funny, some emotional, some a bit wild, but a photo conveys a message, so what message do your marketing photos of your Listings send to buyers?

Having great real estate photos is more than important, it is Required! Take a long look around the MLS and notice just how many really BAD photos there are of homes being marketed. Do you make the same mistake of posting bad photos?  Also consider scanning the Internet for what other real estate professionals are doing with great photo marketing.

If you take your own photos, then please, learn how to edit your own photos to turn a blah photo into an interesting one.  There are many free and easy to use photo editing programs.  As an example, here is an actual MLS photo and by only cropping it in Paint we turned it into something more visually appealing.

Original MLS Photo

Cropped MLS Photo

Tips:

• Holiday decorations in photos should be avoided at all costs, as they date the photos.
• Garages shouldn't be the subject of a photo, well, unless it is an amazing 8 car garage.
• If mirrors are in the photo, what is reflected in the mirror - is it something good or bad?
• Show a lifestyle and create a desire in your photos.
• Save the best photos to create a full story on your website and use the MLS and other marketing to lead buyers to your website.

If you have a photographer taking your photos, make sure they are good at their job and then choose the right photos, not all of them.  Ensure your photographer provides you with ALL of the photos, not just the ones they want to share with you.  Also, request that your photographer provide you with 2 sets of photographs, each with different photo settings.  You should have high resolution (300 dpi), large file photos and a set of lower resolution(either 150 or 72 dpi, smaller file size photos.  Use the high resolution photos in your marketing and the lower resolution ones in the MLS.

    

Why show a standard bathroom when there is an amazing view?  We see it over and over again, photos of standard bathrooms that lack any interest.  Yes, you have up to 25 spots for photos in the MLS, but why use them all, especially if by using them all you quickly loose a buyer?  ONLY use the photos that help you sell a home and that help a buyer differentiate your Listing from other ones.

Your photos should do one thing!  They should cause a buyer to call to schedule a showing.  Don't fall victim to displaying too many photos, many of which will allow a buyer to dismiss the home in favor of one they see with better or more intriguing photos.

Ask yourself, "What photos will cause a buyer to call to schedule a showing of the home?"

The real power is having a home that is prepared and Market-Ready before the first photo is taken. This ensures that you'll have good photos to work with.  Thus, never rush to get a Listing active before you have ensured every aspect presents the home in the best possible manner.  You seldom get second chances!

So what type of photos cause a buyer to call and schedule a showing?  You be the judge, we've provided some photos from our sister company's magazine, Austin LuxU reLocation, and some from actual MLS Listings, but we won't tell you which are which until after we have some responses.  Please comment as to which of the photos are intriguing and would cause you to seek more information and which ones quickly loose your interest.

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We look forward to hearing your comments, and please feel free to share how you are using photos to effectively market your Listings.

What photos are you using?

Real Estate Concierge Services previously Austin Market-Ready Services

Redefining Home Staging!  Home Stylist, Home Staging, Preparing Homes for Market, and Market-Ready Homes For Sale using our Unique Market-Ready Ontology, which includes Metaphysics, Feng Shui, Psychology, Design, Color and other disciplines that style the home towards its targeted buyer.  Targeted Home Styling for today's savvy home buyer and real estate consulting for Luxury Real Estate Professionals.