Do your real estate photos do your home justice?

After perusing some recent photos on MLS, I was shocked to see how many sellers and Realtors skimp when it comes to using a talented & professional real estate photographer. (I won’t name names in order to protect the innocent.) I decided the only explanation for this is that these sellers must not know a very important fact, which is that somewhere between 87%- 93% of home searches begin online. Though the percentages vary slightly depending on which study you read, the fact is that when you’re selling your home, a picture is worth a 1,000 words, and MONEY in your pocket. If a home buyer doesn’t like what they see online, your home won’t even make the cut and they won’t waste their time even driving by. In addition, it is a well known fact that there is a direct correlation between the number of photos (good ones, of course) you have of your listing, and the ultimate sales price.

According to Melissa Ditman Tracy of Realtor.org, ”…homes with professional photographs were found, on average, to be viewed 61 percent more online than others in that price range shot with a lower-end camera. The listings that used digital SLR cameras also commanded a 47 percent higher asking price per square foot.”

Ok, so now that you KNOW better, DO BETTER and get some better pics people!!

If you’ve got a home listed and your photos don’t look like they’ve been professionally taken, or taken by someone who knows real estate photography, then do yourself a favor and invest in some quality pics of your digs. Most Realtors include professional photography as part of their marketing services when they list your home, so if you’re working with a professional, you shouldn’t even need to fork out any extra cash.

Here are some examples of professionally staged homes and photographed homes. (We are only posting pics of the good, not the bad & ugly so as not to offend anyone.)