Real Estate Photography's Value
"Why should I hire a photographer?"
Buyers are now able to compare almost every potential listing in a 100-mile radius from their phone. Before this, a properties "curb appeal" was a major factor in catching a buyer’s interest. Today, people are able to check out nearly every square inch of a property in less than a minute on their computer or phone. This means that, now more than ever, the pictures of a listing are major marketing tools. And, if done correctly, can make a listing stand out from a sea of similarly built and priced homes. Multiple companies have undergone studies to see the usefulness of professionally done images, in relation to the success of listings.
- The statistics department at Latter & Blum, a New Orleans-based real estate agency, found listings using professional photography were viewed 118% more than comparable listings.
- In an internal case study, IMOTO—a company creating real estate photography for both sellers and REALTORS®—compared 350 listings using their professional photography against 350 similar listings in the same ZIP code. Listings using professional photography sold 50% faster and 39% closer to the original listing price than similar homes without professional photos.
- A Redfin study on the usefulness of professional photography in the real estate industry, has concluded that it in fact is beneficial in the process of selling a home. Professionally photographed homes priced between $200,000 and $1 million sell for more relative to their list prices. Professionally photographed homes are more likely to sell within six months.
And while professional photography may help you sell your house faster—or for closer to list price—it still all depends on who you hire. For real estate photography, you’ll need a photographer who specifically specializes in the area. For them to be of real value, photos need to be done from the perspective of marketing and selling the house, and those who don’t specialize in real estate photography might instead approach it from an artistic perspective. To get a good photo, you need the right equipment, including a high-end camera and some full-featured editing software. Most photos are enhanced after they are taken, and a good photographer should know what software to use to create the best-looking photos. The bigger sensors of a professional-grade camera capture more information, which results in richer, more flattering photographs. In addition to this the use of HDR (high dynamic range) and exposure blending, the camera takes multiple exposures to maximize the quality of the final photo. There is an art to good photography. The skilled professional knows how to use composition, color and lighting to make a photo more appealing.
In summation - Be the agent, not the photographer.
Links:
http://www.marketleader.com/blog/2013/08/07/use-a-professional-to-photograph-listings/
http://www.realtor.com/advice/sell/why-you-might-need-professional-photos-to-sell-your-home/
https://www.redfin.com/blog/2013/12/professional-photos-2013.html