When listing your property, you always want to make the best first impression possible on any potential buyer; with over 96% of home buyers searching for their future home online, that first impression will come from your listing photos.
Now that negotiation space and longer days on market are back, it's important to know how to stand out to buyers, and maximize your profits in any and every way possible. The best ROI comes from great lighting, professional photography and a good, deep cleaning - it's the easiest thing you can do and it always makes the biggest difference for my listings.
Here's some cool stats. Properties that use professional photography on average:
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Have an 88% increase in showings and online views.
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Sell 32-50% faster.
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Sell for a higher price, anywhere from $3,000-$11,000 more on average.
"But my iPhone takes great photos!" says the agent.... Your iPhone will never take as "great" of a photo as a professional photographer can. Not only that, but it'll cost you as the seller time AND money.
iPhone Photo Professional Photo
Arguably, Enzo (my clients adorable dog) could've stayed for the photos and it wouldn't have hurt - but look at how much better the professional photo looks overall. The lighting is spot on, every light is turned on, the colors are more true to tone, the angle is maximizing the space - need I go on? This listing went under contract within 48hrs of being listed, and sold in less than 2 weeks.
A little back story on me, I spent over a decade working in the photography industry prior to (and occasionally still do) being in real estate. I know the importance of great photos, and applying that to real estate was a no brainer for me. Even with my photography knowledge, I don't take my own listing photos, as that's not my specialty. Let alone take listing photos with my iPhone? You'll see my roll over in my grave before that happens.
Things like drone photos, Hollywood-style listing videos, 360° virtual tours are part of the norm. Studies show that in 2020, 63% of people who bought a home made an offer on a property without seeing it, which is a 215% increase in sight unseen purchases since 2015, according to Redfin & The Wall Street Journal, putting that much more of an emphasis on the need for great photography.
On average, the investment for professional listing photos is less than $300. I always offer to cover this cost for my clients, because high quality listing photos are a non-negotiable, and I understand that everyone's budget and priorities are different. For such a low cost, we can get you a much higher sales price, in less time with much less headache.
Overall, never pass on having a professional come in for your listing photos - you'll be much happier in the end.