First impressions are everything, especially in home buying. A gorgeous exterior vs. a crummy one decides whether you walk in the front door. Inside, spotless interiors are more likely to inspire a life there than a cluttered house that is, well, someone else’s home.
And while staging can play an important role, the photos buyers see on the Internet are often the first barrier to entry. So they had better be good.
A 2013 Redfin study found that homes photographed professionally with high-performance Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras sold faster and by thousands of dollars more than homes shot with amateur photos.
DSLR cameras are also the preferred camera of Redin’s national photography manager, Drew Larrigan. Redfin provides professional photography to all its listing clients, free of charge.
Why Professional Real Estate Photos Sell Homes for More
The iPhone is the number one camera on the market right now, but we are still a long way from having it replace a DSLR, which offers a higher quality image with higher pixelation.
Nevertheless, it is the level needed in this business and will continue to be used in the market for years to come.
But you need more than just a fancy high-tech camera; you also need the know-how.
“The number one thing people get wrong with listing photography is having the mindset that anyone can do it and deliver a beautiful photo,” he said.
As a result, there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that you do not see, capturing layers of High Dynamic Range (HDR) images to create one beautiful shot.
Layers, he explained, referring to multiple exposures. That allows us to highlight shadows and bring out brightness or darkness through the windows. And then you stack those layers, which creates the beautiful windows in our photos.
As online searching and browsing is a critical part of the home-buying process, it makes sense that professional photos will entice people to visit the home as they know what they are getting before they even set foot in the house.
“Today, we have more shoppers buying from abroad or out of state and making an offer sight unseen, and want to see a home documented,” Drew said.
They want to see every corner of the house, which is the DSLR’s beauty. It is to offer a resolution that allows the out-of-state or out-of-town buyer the opportunity to view the home in its entirety.
Amateur vs. Professional Real Estate Photos
“These examples are a chance to look at the data visually, of the difference between a team approach that builds out quality, versus independent third parties,” he said.
In addition, it shows how important it is for Redfin to deliver quality to the customer and how important it is to make sure our listings are as beautiful as possible.
Home entry wayside by side real estate photos
The photographer attempts to connect the front door with the dining area, but in the process, misses all the entry storage, and the white walls look brown.
Redfin’s professional photo on the right chose to focus on the expansive hallway, beautiful entry, great storage, and crisp color tones. The professional photographer fully utilizes this space and frames the assets in the hallway.
Dining room real estate photos with a professional camera
The color tones, wood tones, and white balance are perfect in a professional picture. The walls are WHITE. The frame orientation is centered around the chandelier, and the photo invites you into this room.
In the other picture, the room looks tilted, the white balance is off, and the colors are dark, almost reddish.
Master bedroom listing photos side by side
Once again, a proper color balance comes into play here. When incorrect, the master bedroom feels small. It also misses an opportunity to show the adjoining bathroom. Instead, the composition should highlight the entire room as a whole.
Master bathroom professional real estate photos
This bathroom is bright and light, but the white balance is off, and as a result, the images miss features like the upscale shower head, vanity, and lighting.
The exterior of brick home shot with real estate photography
Your eye is on the other objects rather than the house itself. The basketball hoop, open umbrella, neighbors to the left and right are distracting and more evident. The home is not centered, and the lens distortion bends the horizon line.
When photographed correctly, you will notice the sky and the framing. It is a composite shot, center, and square. The color tones are natural, and the backyard feels private.
It is well-proven that homes photographed professionally with DSLR cameras sell faster and by thousands of dollars more than homes photographed by amateurs.
Inspired by Drew’s insight, we took a look at the 2013 study. The data revealed that professionally photographed homes priced at $400,000 sold three weeks earlier and for more than $10,000 relative to their asking price than their amateur-photographed counterparts.
For each price range, the days indicate how much faster a professionally photographed house sold in comparison with amateur photos.
Data 2013 study by Redfin
The 2013 findings also found that the houses listed between $200,000 and $1 million sold for $3,400 to $11,200 more relative to their list prices when photographed professionally with a DSLR camera.
At the high end of the spectrum, homes professionally photographed for more than $1 million sold at prices similar to those with amateur photographs.
For each price range, the dollar figures indicate how much closer to the list price the homes photographed by professionals sold versus amateur photographed.
In addition, the 2013 findings also looked at photo sharpness, or the detail added to a picture by using a good camera, lens, and lighting. Whether a crisp reflection or bright flowers, a sharper photo will show a house in its best light.
The ten most sharp pictures sold at or above list price 44 percent of the time, while listings with average sharpness sold at or above list just 13 percent of the time.
Better looking, sharper photos are more likely to sell above list price
Using drone photography for your real estate listing can show surrounding areas of your home in a single shot from a unique perspective. Adding aerial images to your listing will make a highlight among your competitors. Which can lead to faster sales.
Aerial photographs were most common among luxury agents, solo agents with a large operating budget, and brokerages. These listing photos were previously quite expensive and cost agents and buyers a large sum of money.
However, the invention of drones has significantly reduced this high cost and has given buyers, and sellers access to the latest affordable technology.
While there are many things to consider when hiring an aerial photographer, we suggest focusing on prospects with a developed portfolio, proper licensing, and favorable customer reviews. These will help you find the perfect aerial photographer for your listing.
It’s your turn to be a homeowner in New Jersey
If you are interested in acquiring your new home or selling the one you have, do not hesitate to contact our EXP Realty consultants. We guarantee quality attention and the best homes in the area, with personalized marketing strategies to achieve the most significant benefit.
You will not regret working with us because we seek your best interests. Our clients certify them.