Who pays for Real Estate Photos for a Listing?
Who pays for the real estate photos?
This is often the most important question that comes to everyone’s mind but so few actually ask about it.Who pays for real estate photos for an online listing, the Seller or the Realtor?
If you want your listing to look a certain way you can pay for your real estate photos or you can let your real estate agents handle the images by using his or her contacts in the world of real estate photography.
Such a question can be seen as straight forward but there are a few factors to consider.
Lets take a look at both options.
Seller pays for real estate photos
No one really knows your property better than you. Its because of this fact that you may opt to hire a real estate photographer to capture all the nooks, crannies and best features of your property.
Notice I mentioned a Real Estate Photographer, there is a reason for this specificity but ill mention it later. By searching out your own photographer you will then pay for real estate images of your property.
Hiring your own photographer means that you can select how the final images will look of your property and what parts must be captured and shown on your listing.
In this case is obvious that you will have to pay for the photographer however there is something you must be aware of. Remember I mentioned a real estate photographer? Well its because not all photographers can properly photography properties to be sold or rented.
You may feel as if you can save a few dollars by hiring your nephew or best friends daughter to do the work but this would be more disastrous than you may imagine.
If you decide to go this route make sure you do your research before hand to find a proper professional real estate photographer. Take a look at this article on How to find a Good photographer in 5 steps as a start.
Here are several factors that you have to consider if you decide to find your own photographer on top of the 5 steps to finding a good photographer.
- Experience in this field.
- Specialization in real estate photography.
- Camera and other equipment that the photographer uses.
- Ask for the samples of previous works.
- Total cost of the photographs and usage rights.
Consider these factors and ask all the necessary questions that you need to understand the process and before hiring any professional real estate photographer. If you are going to be paying for the work then make sure it is worth the cost.
Realtor pays for real estate photos
When it comes to your realtor, some the companies have their own in-house photographers. They are professional photographers with experiences and specialization in real estate photography.
In this case the realtor will pay for real estate photos of your property.
If you choose to source the in-house photographer through the real estate agent, then you don’t have to pay any extra money. It generally comes out of the commission that you will pay to your real estate agent after your property is successfully sold.
Be sure to discuss this fee with your agent as realty companies policies do differ.
On the other hand, there are some agents who opt to take the photos themselves and often with a cell phone. This can work if the realtor knows the proper way to capture good images with a cell phone but often its not the best option.
Take a look at this article about 6 Tips to capture Better Real Estate Photos with a Cell Phone
Another option to using your realtor is they may have a photographer that they use specifically for their listings. If you view your agents listings and like the images of the properties then this may be a good option.
Realtors who are above board and stand out from the crowd will always go the extra mile to ensure they sell their listings as quickly as possible and having great photos is a sign of a good realtor.
To be on the safe side it is better to discuss all the essential details with your real estate agent and research the information online. This is important before you finalize anything and make your decision.
Importance of good real estate photos
Selling property is not an easy task, the process involves a lot of work and collaboration. One of the often over looked parts is the real estate photos.
There is a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words, so you must then consider what words are your images saying to your potential buyers.
Having professional real estate images can be the difference between a person leaving your listing or giving you a call.
Lets take a look at a few well known reasons how better property images help realtors to sell properties:
Quick Sales
Property with clear, concise and good quality photographs can sell 32% faster than other properties. The top realtors already know this, hence they take the time to ensure their images are if good quality.
Properties that have many photographs from different angles also help to sell a lot faster as it helps potential buyers to understand the flow of the property and its layout.
You can read a bit more about this at this article Should you Hire a Professional Real Estate Photographer?
Stop the Scroll
Thanks to the internet, people can get to choose the properties right from their home.
In a world filled with images your photos need to stand out from the pack and get noticed quickly. This is called stopping the scroll.
Good images that are bright and airy with good clarity and shot at angles that showcase a property layout tends to stop the scroll so to speak.
New listings get attention faster through good photos and older listing can gain a boost by simply re shooting the property.
This one change can allow for a good first impression onto your potential buyer… and as we all know, a first impression is a lasting impression.
Focuses on the details
When a potential buyer looks for a property to buy, he/she may look for certain features. You must ensure that your real estate photos clearly show those features.
The photographs not only depict the real estate property as a whole but also highlight the best features too. Clear photos allow viewers to see the entire room and its details.
A Real estate photographer will have the experience to know what features stand out and the best way to capture it.
Do you need to hire a professional?
From the above points it is quite evident that real estate photography is very important when it comes to real estate listings.
Uploading low-quality photos and expecting the best results will be met with disappointment.
Raise your chances and ensure that the photos you are uploading to the real estate listing are of high quality.
Here are some quick concepts to consider when hiring a professional photographer.
Photography Gear
A professional photographer will have better equipment and technologies such as specialized lenses, professional cameras accessories and proper editing software tools to enhance the final image.
Not only having the equipment but knowing how to use it to capture high resolution images that a realtor can use on a flier, or printed banner.
Digital images at higher resolution do render cleaner and more crisp on a screen then lets say a cell phone image, so the experience of the viewer is enhanced.
Shoot Experience
Real estate photography is not as easy as many may think. The key is to make an image seem simple but knowing the technique to create that image is a difficult one.
Real estate photographers will often have the experience to know how to capture your property in the best light or using the proper tools to bring out the features of the property.
Even in low light situations a professional would know what to do to keep images consistent from the start to the finish and in every room indoor or outdoor.
Composition is another key factor for professional photographers. Which angle, direction and type of lighting to use for each property. this is what really grabs the attention of viewers and what you will ultimately be paying for.
Attention to Details
Ensuring that your property stands out because of its uniqueness is a part of the USP (Unique Selling Proposition) of the real estate property.
Hiring a professional photographer will make it easier for you to demonstrate the feature or the focal point of the house as they will make sure to take the photographs in such a way that it enhances different features of the property.
Conclusion
As the technology is advancing and almost everyone has access to internet, people search for the potential real estate properties online. In such a scenario, photographs pay a crucial role in shortlisting the properties that a person want to visit.
Not to mention that with the growth of social media, photographs have become the new language to capture attention and drive traffic to your listing.
Contact Rashad Penn for a free consultation and review of your present listings. Upgrade your post and get more eyes and calls for each of your properties.
