The facts about the importance of photography
Everyone knows the Internet has become the number one search tool for most home buyers. 87% buyers use the Internet to research. according to a 2008 NAR survey released last November. Whether it be your own website, Realtor.com, Yahoo Real Estate, Zillow, Trulia or even Craigslist the listing typically leads with a photo.
The photograph is almost always the first element in any ad that connects with the buyer. It is the handshake, the first impression, the thing that cuts through the visual clutter to capture the buyer’s attention. Everything in the marketing campaign to sell or rent your home relies on the quantity and quality of the photographs of your home. Photographs are needed for the MLS listing on the Web and in print, a website, brochures, flyers, photo-boards, newspaper ads, possible magazine articles, real estate preview guides, blogs, etc. Many times, buyers will decide if they will visit a home, and agents will decide if they will show a property based on the strength (or weaknesses) of the photos accompanying a listing. Quality photos can and do make a difference, a big difference!
The photograph is almost always the first element in any ad that connects with the buyer. It is the handshake, the first impression, the thing that cuts through the visual clutter to capture the buyer’s attention. Everything in the marketing campaign to sell or rent your home relies on the quantity and quality of the photographs of your home. Photographs are needed for the MLS listing on the Web and in print, a website, brochures, flyers, photo-boards, newspaper ads, possible magazine articles, real estate preview guides, blogs, etc. Many times, buyers will decide if they will visit a home, and agents will decide if they will show a property based on the strength (or weaknesses) of the photos accompanying a listing. Quality photos can and do make a difference, a big difference!
- 9 out of 10 people researching real estate use the internet
- 88% of travelers search for a vacation rental use the internet
- 81% of people asked said that pictures are most important when making a buying decision
- 93% of people asked said that pictures are the most attractive part of any ad
- 90% of people asked say that pictures are usually the first thing they see on an ad
- 70% of all people are visual
- 96% of people asked say the pictures in MLS are inadequate
Studies
*Point2 (point2.com) conducted a study monitoring listings over a 30-day period which clearly showed that properties which feature just one photo generated approximately five views and 1.37 leads, while listings displaying 21 or more images received over 77 views and close to 11 leads. Clearly, the listings that added 20+ photos generated nearly 10 times the number of leads and over 15 times the number of views. Another study relating to the number of photos a listing posts compares photos to the number of Days on Market (DOM). The findings show that listings with more photos sold faster.
*The California Association of Realtors findings show that “Multiple photographs/Slideshows” continue to be the online feature with the highest rating among all online features, followed by “Map/Directions.” Because of the nature of the Internet, more photos can be posted with your MLS Web listing and on a home website than in any other medium and for a fraction of the cost.
*Another study relating to the number of photos a listing posts compares photos to the number of Days on Market (DOM). The findings show that listings with more photos sold faster. This is the shake down on the photos to Days on Market (average) analysis.
- 1 photo = 70 Days on Market
- 6 photos = 40 Days on Market
- 16-19 photos = 36 Days on Market
- 20 photos max – 32 Days on Market
*According to these findings, a $600,000 home, sporting only one photo, could sell for as much as 3.8% LESS or a loss of over $22,000, just because there was only one photo accompanying the listing. More amazing is the fact that only 12% of agents posted the maximum 20 photos.
*“Location, location, location” is the common catch phrase when buying a house. “Photography, photography, photography” will soon be the new advise when selling. When you look at the difference between photos taken by a professional and ones taken by brokers/agents with digital cameras, it’s not hard to see that you get what you pay for. Professional photographers use professional equipment, have the skills set to use it and they have a trained eye for making your home look its best. This is their job, they’re professionals. And paying to have professional real estate photographs, in comparison, is not really expensive when you consider the benefits.
*What does all this mean? The Internet is the most powerful tool you can use when buying and/or selling your home. According to results, photography does sell real estate. And when you choose to have high quality professional images for your marketing tools, you stand to gain by:
- Generating more interest
- Attracting more viewers/leads
- Entertaining higher offers/selling price
- Enjoying a faster sale of your home
*The California Association of Realtors findings show that “Multiple photographs/Slideshows” continue to be the online feature with the highest rating among all online features, followed by “Map/Directions.” Because of the nature of the Internet, more photos can be posted with your MLS Web listing and on a home website than in any other medium and for a fraction of the cost.
*Another study relating to the number of photos a listing posts compares photos to the number of Days on Market (DOM). The findings show that listings with more photos sold faster. This is the shake down on the photos to Days on Market (average) analysis.
- 1 photo = 70 Days on Market
- 6 photos = 40 Days on Market
- 16-19 photos = 36 Days on Market
- 20 photos max – 32 Days on Market
*According to these findings, a $600,000 home, sporting only one photo, could sell for as much as 3.8% LESS or a loss of over $22,000, just because there was only one photo accompanying the listing. More amazing is the fact that only 12% of agents posted the maximum 20 photos.
*“Location, location, location” is the common catch phrase when buying a house. “Photography, photography, photography” will soon be the new advise when selling. When you look at the difference between photos taken by a professional and ones taken by brokers/agents with digital cameras, it’s not hard to see that you get what you pay for. Professional photographers use professional equipment, have the skills set to use it and they have a trained eye for making your home look its best. This is their job, they’re professionals. And paying to have professional real estate photographs, in comparison, is not really expensive when you consider the benefits.
*What does all this mean? The Internet is the most powerful tool you can use when buying and/or selling your home. According to results, photography does sell real estate. And when you choose to have high quality professional images for your marketing tools, you stand to gain by:
- Generating more interest
- Attracting more viewers/leads
- Entertaining higher offers/selling price
- Enjoying a faster sale of your home
