Good Photos Are Essential
Photographs provide an important introduction to a property. They are especially critical now that nearly all real estate listings are displayed on the Internet in some form. A good photo helps you grab the interest of buyers and other real estate agents, slowing them down as they flip through the pages and keeping them focused on your listing long enough to read the details about it.
Now that most MLS systems are online, or at least computer-based, it's more common for an agent to sit down in front of a monitor with a buyer and search for suitable listings. The agent can move through them one by one and allow the buyer to choose the properties that are the most interesting. Properties without photos are often overlooked completely. An agent who has viewed your listing in person will know when a photo is not a good representation of it, but buyers don't have that advantage. A poor photo can be an immediate turnoff to someone seeing the listing for the first time, even if the agent tries to convince her that the house “looks much better in person.” If you have the ability to add multiple photos to the MLS, do so. Take pictures of the exterior, the view, the kitchen, living room, and other interesting features. Unless it is an unusually luxurious room, avoid bathroom photos.
Fact
Some of the best house photos are taken on a cloudy day when there is no bright sunshine to create glare. You won't get nice blue skies and white puffy clouds, so zoom in on the house itself. The deeply saturated colors of the house and its surroundings will make up for the loss of sky.
No one expects you to be a professional photographer, but make an effort to take the best pictures possible. You might need to return to the house for photos after you get the listing, to capture the best view. Choose a time when the sun won't be behind the house, glaring into your lens. That arrangement won't produce a quality photograph, even if your camera can compensate for a backlit situation.
Take some sample shots on your first visit to help you preview the best angles to use for the final versions. Inspect the photos to see if they include views that distract from the property, such as children's toys or other items that are scattered about. Are there cars that should be moved? Cars parked in front of open or closed garage doors block the view of the house and make a property appear cluttered. If necessary, ask the owner to tidy up the exterior before you take final photos.
