Taking photos of the front of a home:
- Take lots of photos from several angles so you can choose the best later.
- A cloudy day or light behind you is best.
- Avoid shooting from the garage angle but include garage if there is one.
- Get the whole house but not the neighbors' houses.
- Include the front door in the photo if possible.
- Shoot between trees but include trees.
- Crop out street, dry grass patches & too much sky.
- No cars, pets, people, toys, mailboxes, yard signs, etc.
- Update photos to show the current season.
- Make sure everything looks fresh & manicured.
Taking photos of interior rooms:
- Turn on all the lights.
- Get as much of the room in the picture as possible.
- Take pictures only of furnished rooms.
- No people, pets, clutter, kid's photos/names, etc.
Taking photos of land or views:
- Have an interesting feature as a focal point: plant, post, rock, etc.
- Do not zoom in on views - show the real thing!
- Crop photos as needed.
- Greener greens and bluer blues are best - sunny day and lushest landscaping.
Posting photos on the MLS:
- Post photos when the listing is first entered.
- You should include a front photo of the property.
- Place your photos in order: 1. Front, 2. Best Feature, 3. Best Main Rooms.
- Post as many GOOD photos as possible.
- Don't repeat same or similar photos.
- Post appropriately-sized photos.
- Include comments that explain benefits or use to potential buyer.
Dianne,
MANY photos. MANY. The one that looks good when I take it always seems to have an issue I overlook.
Collecting pixels is free. I shoot well over 100 photos of a house to get 12 for the MLS, and 25 for Realtor.com.
I was looking at listings in our MLS yesterday, and one of them had people in the pictures. It was very disturbing. They were sitting on the couch reading, maybe trying to set the ambiance, but it looked bad.
Mike: Wow. You have more patience than I do - but you're right - it's free, so why not?
Donna: Yep, these tips all came from seeing what NOT to do on our "Keep Austin Weird" MLS.
Dianne -
We take dozens and dozens of pictures too - you really don;t know what's going to work best until you get back to your computer and actually start working with them. Much easier to wear out the batteries the first time than having to make a second trip.
Dianne: This is an outstanding blog and I would love to re-blog it, but I can't because it's "Members Only". I would not keep great tips like these for Members Only; many of your possible clients (leads) would benefit from your advice. I would not only make this a public blog, but I would also post it on Localism for my area.
Please let me know if and when you make this a public post. If you do, I will certainly re-blog it and share it with my agents and associates. BTW, you are now my associate.
Your blog presence is very professional. Great job!
Thank you Mirela. I really appreciate your help and advice. I'm still figuring out activerain. I thought I paid for some kind of coaching but apparently not. That is very wonderful of you to offer to help.
This can now be re-blogged.
Hi Dianne ! - These are terrific tips on a subject that is taken very lightly by way too many Realtors !
My newest listing this week I actually took 113 photos, to pick 15 for the MLS Listing Photos !
Taking MANY shots is critical from different angles because it often translates differently from on your camera to the screen.
Nicely done !
Cheers !
Sheldon :o)