Why You NEED to be using a Professional Photographer if You Aren’t Already
Let’s start with a basic 2013 statistic from the National Association of Realtors: “For 42 percent of home buyers, the first step in the home-buying process was looking online for properties…” (full article here). Nearly half of all homebuyers, and rising, are turning to the Internet first, before anything else, to begin their house hunt. In 2013, ”The use of the Internet in the home search rose slightly to 92 percent” (full article below) Almost ALL homebuyers are searching online at some point in their pursuit of the perfect home.
Photography is one of the most, if not the most effective tool in real estate marketing. Just as first impressions are the most important impressions we receive from other people, the photos of your listing are the first and lasting impression of your home for potential homebuyers. It is crucial in the success of marketing your home to provide the best images of your listing possible, otherwise, it will more than likely be overlooked. With this being said, it is almost just as harmful to your listing to have unprofessional photos, as it is to have no photos at all. According to a recent study by Redfin, “Professionally photographed homes tend to sell for more money and sell faster than homes listed with point-and-shoot cameras”
In order to stay competitive in the fast-paced world of real estate, you always need to set yourself apart from the rest. The power of professional photography in selling a home is often vastly underestimated. By providing your potential buyers with colorful, sharp, properly edited photos of each listing, you are giving off the impression of a professional, detail-oriented agent, ready to sell your listing.
“Why do I need a professional? I have a decent camera and a good eye.” First and foremost, most professional photographers have some sort of education and/or training in the photography field. They not only have the knowledge, but they have the experience and the equipment. Professionals know how to use their high-tech equipment correctly to perfectly adjust angles and lighting. They have a passion for photography and use their own style and expertise to capture the most appealing shots of each room/area. Lastly, they have the software and skills to properly edit your photos before buyers view them.
Don’t get caught posting dark, blurry, cluttered photos- hire a professional to provide all of your photography and marketing needs!