When it comes to real estate, a picture really is worth a thousand words. If you are in the real estate marketing industry, don’t underestimate the power of flattering photos; prospective home buyers first turn to the internet when they are looking to rent or buy, and the images they find there can ultimately impact the property or home they choose. The impression made by high-quality real estate photography can even influence the sale price! Read on to learn more about a few reasons why you should invest in professional photos to improve your real estate marketing plan.
1. Homes With High-Quality Images Sell Faster
According to the Center for REALTOR® Development (CRD), homes with high-quality photography sell 32 percent faster compared to homes that feature amateur or nonprofessional photos. With today’s advanced camera technology installed in most smartphones, many sellers might feel tempted to skimp on spending money and take their own photos. But many people don’t realize that a high-quality image requires more than just a high-quality camera. Photographers trained in real estate photography are highly skilled at choosing flattering angles, rearranging furniture to create balanced visuals, and setting up appropriate lighting. These techniques can bring out the best in a property to help buyers realize a property’s inherent value, and ultimately decide to purchase a property or home sooner. In real estate, the amount of time a property spends on the market is significant; if too much time goes by, prospective buyers may wonder why it hasn’t sold, driving the value down.
2. High-Quality Photos Can Increase The Sale Price
The CRD also found in a recent study that high-quality images had an impact on sale prices for homes selling for between $200,000 and $1 million. Homes in this range that included high-quality photography in their listings sell for $3,000-$11,000 more. It’s that simple! Consider this return on the investment if you are hesitant to invest in high-quality real estate photography due to cost. Good photos can make a lasting impression that stays with buyers even after they see a property (they may continue to look at the images as they are deciding between homes). Since these photos will be viewed so many times, they can have a profound impact on the amount that buyers are willing to spend.
3. High-Quality Photos Help Homebuyers Find Their Dream Home
Ultimately, real estate agents are hired to help connect prospective buyers with the homes they want. Photography is among the most powerful tools that exist today to help facilitate this process. According to the 2018 NAR Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, 87% of homebuyers who used the web to search for a home indicated that they found photos to be among the most useful features of real estate websites. Since there is so much online that prospective homeowners need to sort through in the search for their dream home, they are going to prioritize websites and properties that are visually appealing. Investing in high-quality real estate photography will ensure that you don’t miss out on the opportunity to attract the most interested clients!
