Posts Tagged ‘real estate photography’

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


Unique Sign Riders Get Attention

Monday, July 12th, 2010


Panoramic Sign Riders Stand Out and Grab Attention

Panoramic sign riders are a great innovative marketing solution for real estate agents or For Sale By Owner properties. These riders are designed to capture the attention of passers-by and to stand out from the crowd of other real estate riders.

A drive through any neighborhood in the Shreveport/Bossier City area will reveal a host of real estate signs and their respective riders. Most of these provide information such as the listing Realtor, a phone number or maybe a website address. However, PanoRiders are not your typical sign rider. A PanoRider offers a full color, high resolution panorama of the interior of the property. Text alone is not enough any more, this sign rider will capture interest with a glimpse inside the home.  This is exceptionally great if there is a competing sign in the yard next door.  Our sign rider will make your yard sign unique and attention grabbing.Panoramic Sign Rider in Action

Once interest is peaked, a buyer can gain the information they are seeking with the single property website located on the PanoRider. This single property web address is the address of the listing itself. Once online, the buyer will see a virtual tour of the entire interior of the home along with lots of additional photos, detailed text description and the listing agent’s or owner’s contact information. But wait, there’s more.  The website is accessible from your smart phone!  How awesome is that.  It’s like marketing – with superpowers.

Next, of course, the interested buyer calls the agent and offers double the asking price for the home, then requests to bring a check by that afternoon……Ok, no, that part doesn’t really happen. But, this sign rider does generate highly interested leads.

This innovative marketing tool harnesses the power of the internet together with the power of a yard sign to gain exposure for real estate listings. If you are a real estate agent or an FSBO who wants to stand apart from the crowd while maintaining cost effective advertising, this is worth your time to investigate.  No more soggy flyers or empty flyer boxes.  Panoramic Sign Riders are full color and weather proof.

Contact Ark-La-Tex Virtual Tours, your Shreveport/Bossier City virtual tour company, to learn more about innovative marketing solutions for your property.

Sign Rider on a Rainy Day

Photo of Panoramic Sign Rider on a Rainy Day


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

High Definition Virtual Tours Arrive in Shreveport

Monday, April 19th, 2010


Could it really be HD Full Screen  360 Virtual Tours?  Times are changing quickly and Ark-La-Tex Virtual Tours  is working hard to keep our virtual tour technology at the forefront of real estate marketing technology.  So you can continue to lead the pack in marketing your Shreveport area listings.

We are proud to announce that we have upgraded our virtual tour viewer to support Full Screen High Definition images. Take a look at the virtual tour below and you will quickly see how our new HD full screen virtual tours transform the typical interactive virtual tour to something quite spectacular.  Our new HD experience shows off your listing as if you are standing right in the room! With just a click of a button Ark-La-Tex Virtual Media now delivers your prospective buyers and sellers a brand new amazing 360 virtual tour experience.

Sample our new HD Virtual Tour:

And our virtual tours load faster than any of the other video or interactive virtual tour platforms out there!  No waiting for a huge video file to load only to get a tiny window.  No more staring at a loading bar for two minutes only to end up viewing a simple slide show. Now you can tell your customers that you’re giving online shoppers a truly interactive Full Screen HD virtual tour experience.

Show your customers that your are on the cutting edge of property marketing technology with one of our new high definition 360 virtual tours!  Contact us today!

Share/Bookmark

Customer Feedback

Thursday, March 25th, 2010


Ark-La-Tex Virtual Media would like to send out a huge thanks to C.O.R.E. of Shreveport, La. for their kind words about the virtual tour we recently photographed for them.  Here’s what they had to say…

Janet Miller
Visit My Website
See Virtual Tour
Center of Recovery – CORE
I’m sending our appreciation for your professional work on the virtual tour for Center of Recovery-CORE. It was indeed a pleasure to work with you and your wife on this project. You came highly recommended by more than one agency to use and we are pleased we chose your company to work with. We have already had numerous positive responses from our virtual tour being added to the web site. Thank you for your great work! Janet Miller, M.S., LAC, CCGC,AADC Director of Clinical Services-LACG Program Director Center of Recovery – CORE 635 Stoner Avenue Shreveport, LA 71101
(318)424-HELP
Fax (318) 424-4355

Photo Tip of the Month

Monday, March 1st, 2010


This month’s photo tip is about White Balance.  If you have ever taken a picture that turned out orange or blue or some other strange color, then you have experienced the effects of white balance.

null White balance compensates for the different colors emitted by different types of light sources and adjusting your white balance accordingly will make your pictures into powerful marketing tools.

White balance controls should be easily accessed from you camera’s menu.  If you are unsure how to get to it, consult your manual.  Here is what you need to know.  White balance controls include settings for sun, shade, overcast, incandescent light, fluorescent light, and flash.  Some cameras will include others as well, but these are the most important for real estate photography.

Chose the setting that most closely matches your light source.  If you are shooting on a sunny day, choose the sun setting; if you are shooting on an overcast day, chose overcast; etc.  Now, here’s the super secret tip: if you are shooting inside with mixed light (lamps and window light) choose the overcast setting.  This will give your images a warm and inviting look.

That’s it!  Have photo questions?  Email your pictures or questions to Ark-La-Tex Virtual Tours.  You may even see your tips turn up here!

Kitchen

Share/Bookmark

Virtual Staging Has Arrived in Shreveport / Bossier City

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010


Virtual Staging has arrived in the Shreveport / Bossier City area!  New from Ark-La-Tex Virtual Tours!  In today’s real estate market with more and more homes being vacant due to foreclosures virtual staging is now more in demand than ever.

Before

Before

Are you a Real Estate Agent? Are you looking for additional property marketing services to make you and your listing stand out from the crowd? If you answered yes to both of these questions then look no further. A powerful property marketing tool packing a dramatic eye-catching punch is here!

After

After

Everyone is aware of the cost of home staging.  But now, Ark-La-Tex Virtual Tours in conjunction with RTV is able to offer real estate agents and FSBOs this new virtual home staging product at an extremely low price.  As low as $50.00 per room, you can turn that empty, hard to sell home into eye-catching marketing.  Contact us today to learn more about virtual staging and virtual tour options for your home!

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

Feeling the Crunch on Your Budget?

Sunday, September 13th, 2009


Are you feeling the crunch on your marketing budget?  Ark-La-Tex Virtual Tours can help with low cost, flat fee virtual tours.  Designed to keep your marketing competitive and professional looking without putting a strain on your budget, our flat fee virtual tours are ideal for any size home.

For as low as $75, this virtual tour option consists of a 6 scene high res. tour which can still accommodate all the add-on features you have come to rely on such as audio, single-property website, mls stills and realtor.com submission.

While we still offer our custom tours based on square footage, the flat fee tour is the same cost for any size home.  Call or visit our website today for more information.

Kitchen

Kitchen

Arizona Retirement Community Beauty

Saturday, April 18th, 2009


E Angora

E Angora

This home is perfect for anyone wanting to retire to sunny and warm Arizona.  This is an immaculate stucco home with a  tile roof.  This property is located in the retirement community of  “Oakwood”.  This is quiet residential living at its finest in a beautiful gated community.  Oakwood has its own golf course nestled among serene lakes. The Clubhouse is second to none. This community offers swimming pools, fitness center, tennis courts, walking paths and more.  This special oasis is only about 20 miles from Sky Harbor International Airport.  Chandler Fashion Center Mall and Chandler Regional Hospital are minutes away.  Sun Lakes is a Robson Resort Community.  Take a look at this amazing home by visiting its website for more photos, a 360 virtual tour and more info…

www.25043EAngora.com

Share/Save/Bookmark