A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Most of us won't post a picture to Instagram or Facebook if we haven't approved it first. I have an infinite number of deleted selfies from my cell phone that would curl your hair. Yikes! You know the ones I'm talking about where your nose is four times its normal size or, as with me, there are wrinkles I forget are there in my daily life and am not at all interested in being reminded of. I don't mind posting the professional pictures I've recently sat for. They have me at twilight on the beach and the amazing photographer even gave me a digital facelift. Those images I even want to share.
This morning I received an email from a woman to whom I'd sent this marketing brochure. She said she'd been carrying it around admiring the picture for weeks, so she wanted the name and number of the artistic photographer who captured the moment. The purpose of the brochure was to sell a home, but, oh well, I loved giving April Reprucchio a new client! My point is, the photo for this woman was unforgettable. And I didn't take it myself. I got a professional to make me look my very best.
The same goes with the photographs real estate professionals post of their amazing listings. Photos from our cell phones just aren't the same as the "lights-camera-action" quality of professional images of each room in the home. I want Zillow and Realtor.com to present the home I'm listing in its very best light, literally. Here is one of my first listings as a rookie realtor. It's a small condo near the beach. I took the pictures with a regular camera.
I'd had the condo painted and replaced the carpet for the out of state seller. After having done all that, it would have been a great idea to call a real photographer to show off the home! I didn't. It took a while to sell. I was much smarter next time and every time thereafter. I always go for "memorable" now!
This is a different condominium with professional pictures! Way more memorable. In fact, I received a record number (for me, anyway) of calls from realtors and buyers interested in viewing the property because they loved the pictures. Though it didn't sell in record time, despite several offers, it sold for a near record price. The photo display added value to the home because it caught the attention of potential buyers.
Homes don't have wrinkles to be removed, but they do have fireplaces to be digitally lit, popcorn ceilings to be minimized, and dark areas to be illuminated. On the up side, homes have great qualities that a professional photographer points out without saying a word. That ocean view, the open concept kitchen and living area, the fabulous back yard or the moonlit pool all become unforgettable with the right lens and lighting and an experienced eye behind the camera.
I don't go out into the world everyday with my hair uncombed and my face bare. I spruce up. If you think I still need a little help, you should see me before I've tried! Selling a home is like dating...or maybe more like your wedding day. You dress to impress. Then take pictures that show you at your very best, loved and precious. Extraordinary.
Bottom Line: If you are interviewing a real estate professional about putting your home on the market, make certain you've looked at the pictures he or she has previously put in the MLS and online of their other listings. If they are unprofessional, dark and uninteresting, rethink your choice of real estate professionals or request professional photography. Selling your home is transferring an investment and you and your home deserve the very best representation. You want buyers singing Unforgettable before they even drive up to your curb.
This morning I received an email from a woman to whom I'd sent this marketing brochure. She said she'd been carrying it around admiring the picture for weeks, so she wanted the name and number of the artistic photographer who captured the moment. The purpose of the brochure was to sell a home, but, oh well, I loved giving April Reprucchio a new client! My point is, the photo for this woman was unforgettable. And I didn't take it myself. I got a professional to make me look my very best.
The same goes with the photographs real estate professionals post of their amazing listings. Photos from our cell phones just aren't the same as the "lights-camera-action" quality of professional images of each room in the home. I want Zillow and Realtor.com to present the home I'm listing in its very best light, literally. Here is one of my first listings as a rookie realtor. It's a small condo near the beach. I took the pictures with a regular camera.
Homes don't have wrinkles to be removed, but they do have fireplaces to be digitally lit, popcorn ceilings to be minimized, and dark areas to be illuminated. On the up side, homes have great qualities that a professional photographer points out without saying a word. That ocean view, the open concept kitchen and living area, the fabulous back yard or the moonlit pool all become unforgettable with the right lens and lighting and an experienced eye behind the camera.
I don't go out into the world everyday with my hair uncombed and my face bare. I spruce up. If you think I still need a little help, you should see me before I've tried! Selling a home is like dating...or maybe more like your wedding day. You dress to impress. Then take pictures that show you at your very best, loved and precious. Extraordinary.
Bottom Line: If you are interviewing a real estate professional about putting your home on the market, make certain you've looked at the pictures he or she has previously put in the MLS and online of their other listings. If they are unprofessional, dark and uninteresting, rethink your choice of real estate professionals or request professional photography. Selling your home is transferring an investment and you and your home deserve the very best representation. You want buyers singing Unforgettable before they even drive up to your curb.
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