8 Reasons Why You Should Consider Using a Professional Photographer

8 Reasons Why You Should Consider Using a Professional Photographer

by Marci James

What many REALTORS^® do not seem to understand is that it does not matter whether it is a multi-million dollar mansion or a short sale property going in to foreclosure.

Regardless of price range or condition, listings with photos generate more interest, sell in fewer days, and sell at a higher price than similar listings without photos.

These results are magnified when professional photography is used.  Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you should be using Professional Real Estate Photography to market your listings:

  1.  Make a great first impression

According to NAR, 89% of all home buyers shop online for their home. As a result, the way your listings look online is one of the most important factors in generating buyer interest. Source: www.realtor.org

  2.  Get more attention

Using professional photos will attract more attention to your listings and result in more clicks by consumers.  Studies show that listings with professional photos generate an average of 139% more clicks when compared to similar listings without professional photos. Source: www.picturesdosellhouses.com/realtor-tools/statistics/

  3,  Make more money

Listings shot with professional DSLR cameras sell for more money. According to a study done by Redfin (see image below), these listings sell for $1000 or $100,000 more! That’s a lot of dough, and probably enough to make you feel a little insecure about your photos if you’re NOT using a professional. If you ARE using a professional, print out the image below, and take it with you on your listing presentations. It can help you justify that 6%!

  4.  Increase your odds for a sale

In most price ranges, your listing is more likely to sell if it has professional photos!  Check out the image below, from http://www.wallstreetjournal.com.  The green bar represents SLR photography and the red is point and shoot.  Again, you may want to print this one out and take it with you on listing presentations.

  5.  Take your marketing to a higher level

It’s hard to believe, but 80% of the LUXURY homes on the market are NOT professionally photographed.  That means Realtors using professional photography have a big competitive advantage, not only in attaining the listing, but in selling it as well. Source: Redfin.com

  6.  If your seller is hiring a professional, shouldn't you?

Don’t treat your seller like a FSBO. The seller has opted for a professional Realtor to list and sell their home.  You should opt for a professional as well. Do you think they would prefer their Realtor take photos with an iPhone or hire a professional photographer?

  7.  Even distressed properties will benefit

Many Real Estate Professionals will not use a professional photographer when listing distressed properties. What they don’t understand is that an experienced professional photographer will know how to angle the camera to capture the right shots and to show the “possibility” of the property. They will use the right  lighting, composition, and post processing techniques to show off the property in the best possible way.

  8.  Create a constant supply of “Content Marketing”

Professional photography can provide you with wonderful “Content Marketing” material. Your professional photos can be used on many social media sites like Pinterest, Facebook, Google+, Linkedin, and Twitter. You can even Instagram them! But be careful how you share. Make certain that you receive the permission of your seller prior to using those photos on your social media sites.

To sum it up, based on recent studies, investing in professional photography is one of the most important things you do when listing a property.  But, in order to get the very most out of your photographer, you will want to make sure the home is prepared and ready to go when the photographer arrives.