According to a NAR survey, buyers consider photos to be the most important tool in their online search. Now unless you’re a professional photographer yourself, a photographer will take much better pictures than you. You might think you’re doing a good job and even saving some money but the opposite is probably true. The photos are the foundation of your marketing and you should hire a pro.
Photographing a property is very difficult. The lighting is usually terrible which causes blown out windows or really dark rooms, both very unattractive to potential buyers. Consumer level cameras don’t have wide angle lens which are a must to fully capture a whole room. A quality camera and lens make a huge difference.
To overcome bad lighting, photographers can use external lighting sources at the time of the shoot or use computer software to make the colors pop and brighten the rooms. Having a well lit room is the secret that sells.
Another reason you should hire a professional photographer to take your pictures is because sellers really respond to it. Even after giving you a listing, some sellers might still be questioning their decision or even have a little bit of “buyers remorse”. When you show up a few days later with a professional photographer, you will make them feel much better about choosing you as their agent. It shows you’re willing to go the extra mile. It’s also a great argument to use to get a listing in the first place.
The third reason you should hire a professional photographer is because potential buyers are looking at hundreds of houses. Which one do you think they’re more likely to click on? The one with the bright vivid colors and a blue sky or the crooked one that doesn’t even show the house entirely? That’s what I thought too. More clicks mean more visibility for your property and yourself.