Posts Tagged ‘photos’

Are Quailty Real Estate Photos Really That Important?

Monday, August 9th, 2010


Professional real estate photography, home staging, online marketing…all buzz words in the real estate marketing community.  But how important is it really?  Do Shreveport/Bossier area home buyers care what they are seeing online?

In this article Mary Ellen Podmolik, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune’s business section who covers the local housing market, discusses real estate photos, staging and online marketing.  She shares how these items ultimately reflect on the agent and how they may affect the sale of the home.

When it comes to online real estate photos, the devil is in the details – chicagotribune.com

Blogged with the Flock Browser


Share/Bookmark


Real Estate Photo Tips: The Most Important Picture

Friday, July 2nd, 2010


In today’s real estate market, approximately 90% of home buyers start their search online, looking at dozens of photos of homes.

The photo of the front of the home is the single most important photo on the listing.  This photo is the buyers very first impression of the home.  It is the one that helps determine if the buyer will continue to look further into the listing or move on to the next one.  It is important to spend the extra time and energy to get the “perfect” shot of the exterior of the home.

Front of Home Photo
Whether you do your photos yourself or hire a professional photographer, here are some important things to consider in photographing the front of the home:

  • Straight on is not always the best option.  Try photographing from one side, especially if there are interesting architectural features.  Also be certain to include all of the home in the frame.Front of Home Photo
  • Choose your time of day.  Photograph when the sun is on the front of the home, not behind it.
  • Choose your day.  Don’t photograph on dreary, gray, overcast days.  Bright and sunny is preferable.
  • Properly expose the photo.  Make sure the color balance is correct – a strange blue or gray cast is not good.  Make sure the photo is bright and cheerful and competitive.

Remember that your photo will be compared to other homes of similar size and price.  If your photo is dark, awkwardly colored or generally uninviting, then it may leave the buyer feeling less than impressed with your listing.  Possibly for reasons they can not even identify, they will just know that the house seems dreary.

Great photos should help bring buyers to the property.  If you do not have the time in your busy day to take competitive photos, you might consider hiring a professional photographer.  This is a small expense that can be recouped in freeing your time to actively sell homes.  Not to mention that your seller will be very impressed with how their home is being marketed.


Share/Bookmark


Blogged with the Flock Browser

7 Home Improvements NOT to Make | Shreveport Real Estate

Thursday, June 10th, 2010


Are you thinking of making improvements on your home before selling?  While fresh paint and clean carpets are always a good idea, some major improvements may not get you the return on investment you were hoping for.  Check out this article for some tips on what improvements may not be worth it…

7 Home Improvements NOT to Make | Shreveport Real Estate

Some inexpensive things that can be done which could regain your investment and then some:

  • Fresh paint – covering up faded or scuffed up paint gives your home a fresh and well maintained look.  Choose neutral colors to enable buyers to envision themselves in the home.
  • Clean carpets – Dirty and stained carpets can have buyers thinking in terms of dollars it will cost to replace.  Have the carpets cleaned.  It is inexpensive and will have buyers seeing an asset rather than a hindrance.
  • Remove clutter – Clear table tops, under the beds, and bathroom and kitchen counters.  Maximize and show off the space available.  Leave only a decorative item or two on tables and remove all toiletries from the bathroom counters and that basket of mail from the kitchen counter.
  • Remove oversize or extra pieces of furniture – Rooms which are packed with furniture give the impression of being too small.  Remove extra furniture to storage.  Choose pieces that fit the size of the room and keep only enough to make a warm and inviting space.

These few simple and inexpensive things can increase what a buyer may be willing to offer for your home.  Get some tips for staging your home for real estate photos by clicking on the “Preparing for a Virtual Tour” tab to the right.Living Room Photo

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Home Selling Tips

Monday, May 31st, 2010


It’s summertime here in the Shreveport / Bossier City area and people are beginning to think about moving.  Are you getting your home ready to sell?  Below are a few tips to help you get top dollar for your home.  This article includes tips on everything from pricing your home correctly, to choosing the right real estate agent, to home staging.

10 Best-Kept Secrets for Selling Your Home : Real Estate : Home & Garden Television

If you are thinking about having your home professionally photographed, these tips are great for getting your home into picture perfect condition.  Remember, the photos or virtual tour used to advertise your home are the buyers very first impression.  The photos can often determine whether a potential buyer decides to visit your home in person.  Too see a few more tips about preparing your home for photographing visit our “Preparing for a Virtual Tour” page.

Front of Home Photo

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Real Estate Photography – How Important is it?

Friday, May 28th, 2010


Are the photos used to market a home important?  The general consensus is YES!  With 90% of buyers starting their search online and an overwhelming majority of those ranking the photos as a top priority, they could be the single most important thing to attract a buyer’s attention.

So this begs the question – are do it yourself photos adequate?  The photos not only speak to the property being marketed, but also to the quality of marketing being provided.  And ultimately, to the professionalism of the marketer.  Are sellers happy with photos that may pale in comparison to other properties similar to theirs?  And does this reflect upon the agent doing the marketing?

Here is what one agent in San Diego had to say.

More on do-it-yourself listing photography. It reflects poorly. — The San Diego Home Blog

Kitchen Photo

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Tip for Great MLS Photos

Monday, February 1st, 2010


When photographing still images for MLS, shoot on small size.  Today’s modern point and shoot cameras can shoot in excess of 10 megapixels.  This giant megapixel digital image on your camera is a poster sized photo.  Bigger is not always better.  If you ever wonder why it takes 5 minutes to upload a single picture to your listing, it is because the server has to reduce the size of your picture to a smaller use-for-web size.  This process can cause a loss of image quality resulting in a blurry image.

High Definition Photo

If you must shoot large images, consider resizing the image width to 512 pixels in your favorite photo editing software.  You will get some blurring if you do this.  To correct this after reducing an image’s size, we recommend a “Smart Sharpen” (in Photoshop) around 40%, and then “Save for Web” at “High” quality.

Now you have a clear High Definition photo that loads very fast thanks to its small size!

Want more tips on real estate photography?  Sign up for our newsletter and get photo tips, marketing ideas, website design info and more.


Share/Bookmark

7 Tips for Great Real Estate Photos

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009


They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and this holds especially true with real estate photos.  They show the viewer a glimpse inside the home allowing them to determine if it interests them.  The viewer can see everything from layout of the home to features such as counter top types, wall color, flooring type, dishes in the sink, clothes on the floor and well kept lawns.  Photos and virtual tours are a driving marketing force in the sale of a home and it is important that these photos help not hinder the sale.  Below are 7 tips for great real estate photos.

Tip 1: Tidy up. Your photos are an open house 24/7.  As you prepare, go through each room tidying up. Items on counter tops such as the basket of mail in the kitchen or the toiletries on the bathroom counter should be removed. Tables and counters will show best with just a few tastefully selected items. Pick up and put away children’s toys, clothes, dishes, items on the floors and furniture. All this can appear to be clutter in the camera. Don’t forget to check for burnt out light bulbs which can really stand out in a photograph.

Tip 2: Please do not have other workers such as housekeeping, lawn crews, or repairmen at the home during photographing. If you desire to have housekeeping or lawn work done ahead of time, your virtual tour company will be glad to work with you on the best possible time to photograph your home.

Tip 3: Some pets love to pose for the camera! But others are uncomfortable with equipment or strangers. Please plan ahead for your pets by placing them in a kennel or at a day care.

Tip 4: What’s on your fridge? The family photos and artwork on the refrigerator are fun to look at, however, it can often appear as clutter to the camera. Please plan to remove these items before your virtual tour. A clean front on the refrigerator always shows best in photographs.Master Bedroom overlooking the Lake

Tip 5: If you have begun packing, remove the boxes to an area which will not be photographed. Items stacked in the corner or tucked under the bed can show in the photos and this will keep your home from looking its best.

Tip 6: Outside move summertime items such as bikes, skates and pool toys to a storage area. Plan to have the lawn mowed and edged. If summer heat has caused the grass to turn brown, try to water a couple of days in advance to give it a fresh look. Trim hedges and sweep walks and driveways to give a manicured and inviting appearance. Add a few flowering plants for extra curb appeal!

Tip 7: Don’t forget the pool. A sparkling, clear pool can inspire thoughts of summer fun and relaxation, even in the “off” season. However, green murky water can leave an impression too. Make sure your pool is an inviting asset to your home.

Visit Ark-La-Tex Virtual Tours website to learn more.

Share/Bookmark