According to NAR, 90% of home searches are performed online. And with the advent of newer technology and smartphones, it would seem that pictures of a home should be a priority. But it would appear that in the rush to get properties listed, many real estate agents skip this step. Or if they take great photos, they upload them and then forget to name them. Just today in preparing a report for a client of properties they might be interested in, I reviewed a new listing. The photographs were great, but they all said Exterior Front.  Seriously? It only takes a few extra seconds to input the location of the photograph, but can speak volumes to your professionalism and commitment to your client.

Photography Tips

• Seasons
  Take a current picture of the home’s exterior. Using a great photo of the home taken last Christmas dates the listing and creates a message that the home has been on the market for a while. And if the home has been on the market for a while, you might want to update the images.
• Cleanliness
  If the house is currently cluttered with personal items, work on cleaning it up before you take photos. Partner the sellers in the photography process, so they understand what will be posted and how their home will be seen. This can help expedite the process.
•  Staging
  Staging is the process of making a home appealing to the largest number of potential buyers with the goal of selling a property quickly and at the highest possible price.

• Dining Room
  A fully set table makes the room look appealing and inviting. Feel free to bring in props to make the table look its best. If you need to move things around or remove chairs to make the room look more inviting, do so.
• Kitchens
  Again, clean the room first. Make sure that the stovetop is clean and that faucets and sinks are polished to present well in the pictures. Clear counters of unncessary items, but not so much that they look unnatural, even model homes usually have something on the counter whether it is a mixer or some utensils.

• Bathrooms
  Even on an average day, I have the toilet seat down. Yet if you scroll through listings, there is inevitably that bathroom shot with a toilet seat lid up. We all know what the the toilet is, and they all look the same.  Close the lid! Or better yet, photograph from an angle without the toilet.  And again, clean the counters to make them appear larger.
• Bedrooms
  Make the beds, put clothes away and fluff the pillows. And if the bedroom is overcrowded, consider repositioning furniture or removing some things to create a larger environment.
• Caption the photos
  The order of the photos is important.  So start with the exterior and as you walk through the house, make sure to caption the photos.

It is not always necessary to hire a professional photographer, but it is important to present the best possible photographs for your client, since a picture is worth a thousand words. You may want to invest in a tripod to ensure that your photos are straight and level. Consider the time of day you will be taking photos to ensure the best possible light. Have props ready to present the rooms as welcoming as possible.

Have fun with this!