They say that first impressions last a lifetime, and this
could very well be true when it comes to buyers laying eyes on the perfect
family home for the first time. To increase the chances that a buyer will fall
in love at first sight with your property, you’ll need to impress them with a
good first impression. Before buyers come to inspect a property, they will first
get these impressions from listing photographs. As a result, these photographs
are of the utmost importance, because they could be the deciding factor between
a buyer deciding to come visit your home or not.
How many buyers
search the internet for a home?
In 2006 approximately 80% of home buyers searched the
internet when looking for a home. Today the percentage of home buyers that
search on the internet when looking for a home has jumped to approximately 92%.
Consumers are purchasing and becoming competent with more technology devices such
as laptops, iPads, tablets and smart phones. These consumers are home buyers and
they want to shop online. Their trend is showing us that they recognise how
useful technology is and therefore they are going to be better at noticing
professional versus point-and-shoot photos.
The buyers main tool is using
online to search for property, so when selling, online is a very important part
of your advertising schedule.
With all the competition on the market, it is important to
have professional photos because they are your first and maybe only impression,
to the majority of buyers who are searching for homes on the internet.
Why
professional real estate photography is so important
It is often said that a picture is worth
a thousand words. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and the
same holds true for your home. Whether you’re looking to sell or rent, the right
photographs can make or break the amount of interest your property receives.
While the tried and true channels
of marketing your property – advertisements, window cards, signage, etc. – can
still be very effective, it's a fact of modern life that most people spend a
lot of their time online. Whether interacting with friends on social media or
catching up with their favourite TV shows, consumers expect everything to be
accessible by the click of a mouse.
Open houses may
still be a great way to show off a property, but just as many people – if not
more – are using the internet in their search for a home. For this reason,
using high-quality photographs that show off the best features of your property
is essential.
Why professional
photographs help
With people counting on a detailed
look at your property online, the damage poor photographs can do should not be
underestimated. Shabby pictures can give the impression that your home is in
poor condition or not worth a second look.
Additionally, focusing on the
photographs you use can help you determine exactly what kind of buyer you're
trying to appeal to. For instance, who is your ideal buyer? Someone with a
family? A single person? A young couple? By figuring out who you're trying to
attract, you can determine the features your pictures should accentuate.
A family might be most drawn to
pictures of a large backyard offering plenty of space for children to play.
Meanwhile, a young professional could be interested in pictures of a spare room
that could double as a home office.
Every property
has features that can be highlighted, and professional photography can help you
emphasise them in a skillful and aesthetically pleasing manner.
The benefits of professional photography
The biggest
hurdle preventing many property owners from utilising professional photography
is price. No one wants to spend money on a service they feel they can do
themselves. However, it's important to understand the advantages experienced
and great-looking pictures can provide.
First, it's
essential to remember that with so many people shopping for homes online, how
your pictures look could very well be the most important factor in generating
interest in your home.
Professional
photos can result in your listing getting more attention, and in turn this
increases your chances of making a sale or finding the ideal buyer. This can
give you a huge competitive advantage, especially if you’re listing your home
in a market where property owners are struggling to make their home stand out
from the crowd.
In this way,
there is a very real chance that using the wrong photographs could affect your
bottom line for the worse.
Finding the right photographer
Unless you've been trained in
photography, chances are you'll be better off outsourcing the duties to a
professional.
When selecting a
property photographer, it's important to do your research. Search online and
analyse portfolios, as this will give you an idea of the type of work the
professional has done in the past. Also always be on the lookout for referrals
and customer reviews, as this will indicate that a photographer has done good
work.
It's also worth
narrowing your search for someone who specialises in real estate photography.
An excellent wedding photographer may not have the
skills necessary to make your home shine.
Most importantly,
go for value over price. Cheap does not mean better and paying more for quality
photographs can pay off big when it comes time to sell your house.
Make sure your agent gets a good professional
photographer to take your photos. This is too important to leave to an amateur.
If you’re serious about selling your home
for more hire a pro! A pro not only gets you the best possible image but also
gives his or her professional advice on how to ‘stage’ the photo to give you
maximum impact. Every week, real estate professionals in your area use their
personal contacts and resources to help sellers prepare their homes for sale.
Why not ask your real estate professional for a referral. (to find your local
real estate professional go to www.HotSellerTips.com and click Find My Agent)
My next blog will be on How to Price your Property For Sale.
Until next time.
Cheers Dianne
Dianne Ray Realty
Source:
Book- How to Sell your Home for More; www.realestate.com.au; www.localagentfinder.com.au; www.realtytoday.com; www.propertybuyer.com.au;
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