Why Professionally Photographed Homes Sell Faster

If you search AU Park real estate online, you’ll generally see two types of listings. Some listings have bright, high-resolution photographs that show off the home’s best areas and features. Other photos are blurry and look like they were taken with the seller’s cell phone. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that homes with higher-quality pictures often sell faster and for a higher price. This article will give you a better idea of why including professional pictures with your listing matters.

 

You can tell the difference between professional pictures and the selfies you take with your friends—and buyers can, too. If a buyer sees a high-quality picture headlining your listing, they’ll be more likely to click on the link, look at more pictures, and read about your home. This brings them one step closer to reaching out to your agent or scheduling a showing. This is especially important if you run a promoted ad for your home on Facebook, which many sellers are choosing to do. Once somebody clicks on your link, their information is stored even if they don’t ask for more information or share their email address. Facebook employs an algorithm that captures user data and shows them repeated ads in the future, so chances are prospective buyers will see your ad again.

 

Most buyers decide to make an offer on their home because of what they experienced at an open house or private showing. However, most buyers won’t take the step to schedule a showing or make plans to attend an open house if they don’t like what they see online. By including professional pictures with your listing, you’ll give yourself a better chance of increasing foot traffic in your home and attracting more serious buyers. If you’re planning on having an open house rather than accepting in-person showings, your pictures will have the same effect. They’ll help generate greater interest in coming to see your home in-person, and they can boost attendance at your open house.

 

You’ve worked hard to stage your home to make it look its best. Professional pictures will help others experience your home’s beauty. A trained photographer can take pictures of your kitchen that make it feel spacious and welcoming. They’ll capture photos of your master bedroom from the right angle, allowing buyers to imagine themselves coming into the room to wind down at the end of a long day. You’ll end up with photos of your home’s outdoor spaces that use the right amount of natural light, and these pictures are often the most important shots that you’ll include with your listing. Curb appeal matters, whether you’re pulling up to a home for the first time or seeing the pinned picture on an online home listing. In either scenario, you want to craft the best possible first impression.

 

Third-party listing platforms want to put the best home listings first. The homes available on their sites aren’t just a reflection of the people who are selling them, but of the platform itself. For this reason, they want to provide engaging, attractive, and professional content as often as possible. If you opt for professional photographs, you’ll have a better chance of rising to the top of searches and listing sites. It also helps that your photographs will draw more clicks and engagements to your listing, which may shift the algorithm in your favor. The system will begin to think that your ad is more relevant or interesting.

Social media marketing is huge for anyone selling homes today. If you haven’t already created a post on your social media account to announce your home’s availability, consider doing so. Once you decide to share this post, having professional pictures from your online home listing will make it stand out on your friends’ feeds. They may be more likely to click on the listing, or if they aren’t shopping for a home themselves, perhaps they’ll share the post on their feed or timeline to help you get the word out. Regardless, having high-quality pictures will help attract more views, clicks, likes, and comments.

 

Start by cleaning all surfaces, especially anything that could reflect dirt or dust. This is especially important in your kitchen and bathroom since mirrors, faucets, and appliances can easily show smudges or fingerprints. Also, pull back curtains and open up blinds. Natural light is your best friend when taking pictures, and it’ll make your home feel warmer and more inviting. You may worry about how harsh light could impact your pictures, but rest assured that your photographer knows how to adjust to possible glares and reflections.

The best choice you can make as you’re getting ready to sell your home is to partner with a local real estate agent who knows the market and can help you get the best deal. Alejandro Ortega is one of the most sought-after real estate agents in the area. He’s a U.S. Army Veteran who values service as one of his top virtues. He often gains business from referrals and repeat clients, which is a testament to the connections he builds and the value he provides in each transaction. When you’re ready to take the next step towards buying or selling AU Park real estate, give Alejandro and his team a call.

_{*Header photo courtesy of Shutterstock}