How do you create a property listing and make it great, make it stand out?
With standout property listings, that’s how.
For one thing, you take your shot, and then you take it again, and again, and again, and I’m talking about photographs! In this post, we’ll go over how to create standout property listings.
As a real estate investor, I’m always surprised by the photos real estate agents or other investors choose to include with their property listings because they select images that will never attract buyers.
Many listings have a few eyesores, such as dirty mirrors, pet food bowls, some with toilet seats up, and broken swing sets. Under these conditions, these photos will not make an excellent first impression on a potential buyer, and having these eyesores will turn them away.
People aren’t the only ones who form first impressions. They’re also for real estate.
Now, suppose you’re selling a fixer-upper or looking for an investor buyer. You can get away with these types of photos because the investor is looking at the property as a business opportunity rather than their forever home.
If you’re selling a move-in-ready property, the photos must convey that image to a potential renter or buyer.
You want the images to help them envision a safe and clean environment where they would be happy to raise their children.
Here are some Do’s and Don’ts for the DIY crowd on Creating that Stand Out Property Listing
Let’s start with the DO’s:
- DO shoot from the corner. When viewed from that angle, it makes any room appear larger and brighter.
- DO use a wide-angle lens. A wide-angle lens captures the entire area, which is highly recommended so that potential buyers can see how the entire room looks.
- DO open the windows and doors. Your best bet is to use natural light.
- DO remove clutter from every surface. It communicates that the space is clean.
- DO take numerous photos of each room. Simply make certain that the first 5-10 photos on your listing are of different spaces. Furthermore, always begin in the most important areas, such as the kitchen, living room, master bedroom, master bath, and guest bath.
Now let’s move on to the DON’T’s:
- DON’T rush. Wait for better weather if it’s in the forecast. The weather has a significant impact on getting a good photo. A sunny day can provide excellent lighting, whereas a cloudy day can add drama to your photograph. Furthermore, always make the most of the natural lighting.
- DON’T post close-ups. No one wants to see just one sink because they want to see the entire bathroom.
- DON’T leave distractions in the frame. This could include family photos, pets, or even a reflection of yourself. Take your time and look carefully!
- DON’T think inside the box. Different techniques such as night shots or aerial views can help distinguish a space. You can also add drama to your photos by taking them at night. Because night shots requires long exposures, use a tripod to ensure a clean and steady shot.
- DON’T forget the outside. If you have a dozen great interior shots, include half as many exterior shots because people will want to see the lawn or how the house looks from the outside.
Now, let’s talk tech.
Ideally, you want to invest in a DSLR camera. Then edit your photos using a computer program like Lightroom or Photoshop.
However, not everyone is ready for that commitment.
Maybe you’re not tech-savvy, maybe you’re on a tight budget, or maybe you have a number of properties that you need to list as soon as possible and you’re running out of time.
In that case, your smartphone WILL work with a couple of quick tricks:
- Invest in a quality wide-angle lens. These specialty lenses easily attach to your phone, giving a more professional-looking edge-to-edge image.
- Use presets. With a camera phone, light isn’t going to be consistent. Therefore, use presets. Smartphones have settings like that of a professional camera. Play around with the settings of your phone’s camera and try different presets per shot.
- Use a tripod and a timer. Using a tripod and a timer eliminates your hand’s natural movement. Moreover, using a tripod allows you to take more stable shots. Then all you had to do is, set it up and start shooting.
Another option?
Put down your phone and find a pro. Professional real estate photographers can be found in any market, and they usually pay for themselves.
Here’s the big picture: Photos are going to make or break your listing. All the more reason that you have to make sure that you are able to create a standout property listing.
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