If you spend any amount of time looking for properties on the internet, it won't take long before you stumble across a few listings with some really suspect photos. Even in this day and age, there are plenty of listings out there which break many of the rules for good real estate photography. So much so that there is a website that is devoted entirely to the subject of terrible listing photos.
Check out the 3 sample listing photos below. How many rules does each of these pictures break?
Bad Photo #1: Family Room
This photo was produced by an amateur using amateur equipment. The lighting is poor and the image is not crisp. The room is not professionally staged. It's full of holiday decorations and clutter. And is that Fido's chew toy on the floor?
Bad Photo #2 - Kitchen
A blurry image. This photo breaks many more rules by taking clutter to a new level. The walls are lined with children's artwork. The counters are full of dishes and utensils. The side of the refrigerator is full of magnets, and the top of the refrigerator is used for storage.
Bad Photo #3: Fireplace
Several more rules are broken here. The family photos and article of clothing are two big offenders. Look at this photo closely enough and you'll also see the top of this photographer's head in the reflection of the mirror.
Two Keys for Great Photos
The pictures above are extreme examples, but they help to illustrate the point that your photos can either help or harm your listing. High quality photos will cause buyers to take notice of your listing and request a showing. Low quality photos will drive buyers away in droves.
Great photos begin with a consultation from a professional home stager. Once you've properly staged your home, you should then have your listing pictures taken by a professional photographer. Your pictures are the single most important aspect of your listing, which is why we include professional staging and professional photos as standard features in our marketing plan.
