Realtors and real estate agents are slowly discovering the benefits of quality real estate photography. Apart from listing the property on the MLS and advertising it on the internet, taking attractive photos of the home is one of the other things that are likely to result in quicker sales. Today, a large percentage of buyers are finding their preferred homes online; so the way you list is critical to how fast potential buyers find your properties. And if the way you list is attractive enough, you’re likely to sell even faster. So, if you don’t want to lower your asking price, you should consider better photos to convince your customer to buy.
If you believe that the home is worth the extra investment of good photography, you can confidently ask more money for it. Surprisingly, this tactic actually works! Compared to listings with photos from average point-and-click cameras, listings with appealing photos from high-end cameras can really have a big impact on the offers you and your clients receive.
Single Lens Reflex (SRL) cameras are particularly quite effective at real estate photography. These cameras afford the user increased control over what is to be captured and their images in general are of very high quality. Of course they are a bit expensive compared to point-and-shoot cameras but their quality and usability alone is always worth the investment.
Available statistics are enough proof
A recent study by Redfin, a renowned real estate broker, reveals some very interesting statistics;
- Homes with professional photographs are more likely to sell in the first six months – a comparison of sales for homes priced between $400,000 and $499,999 reveals that homes with DSLR photographs sell 64% of the time. Those with low quality amateur photographs only sell 46% of the time.
- Homes with DSLR photographs also sell faster – for homes priced between $400,000 and $499,999, homes with professional photographs sold 21 days faster compared to those with average armature photographs. Those priced at more than $1 million sold four days faster.
- Properties with sharper images sell for more – homes that had the sharpest 10% listing photographs sold at or for more than their list prices 44% of the time. Homes with averagely sharp listing photos only sold 13% of the time.
- Properties whose listing photos are taken with DSLR cameras sell for more – homes in the $400,000 range and with professional listing photos taken with DSLR cameras sell for an average $11,200 more compared to those with photos taken with amateur cameras. In general, homes with professionally taken photos will always sell for more; depending on the home in question, you can expect between $3,400 and $11, 200 for homes priced between $200, 000 and $1 million.
Hire a professional real estate photographer
There is no secret to getting high-end photographs; you need to start hiring professional photographers. It is saddening that even with this knowledge, only 15% of listings incorporate professional, high-end photographs. According to the Redfin report, highly priced homes aren’t doing any better with more than half of all homes priced at $1 million or more posting below average photographs.
So, why is professional photography so important?
- Buyers are hungry for information, but they are also tech savvy and easily turned off by low quality images.
- Competition is fierce so agents need to be smarter than ever before to be successful.
- Alternative listings with superior images will often draw attention away from your properties.
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