Just because you’re not a professional photographer doesn’t mean you can’t take a fabulous picture of your listed properties. Follow these tips below to show the houses that your are representing in the best light.
Technology is Your Friend
Take advantage of technology to show off what is special about the properties you want to show. Today’s digital cameras and software programs make it easy to highlight the best features of a house. Techies can use things like Photoshop to manipulate images. But even novices can play around with simple built-in features of digital cameras. You can make an image lighter or zoom in on a corner of a room—say a cozy breakfast nook or a sunny window –to attract attention.
Prepare the House
Before you click that picture, make sure the house and the buyer is ready to show. It goes without saying that the house should be immaculate, both inside and out. Make sure that your customer removes all clutter, personal objects and even excess furniture. You literally want to show off the space—by opening up the room and rearranging it to show off the area in the best light.
Let There Be Light
Speaking of light, use natural light to your advantage. Sun-splashed windows, colorful landscaping and beautifully designed kitchens in the right light will certainly catch a potential buyer’s somebody’s eye. Think about the time of day you take your shots. First thing in the morning and you’ll catch the sunlight streaming through the window. The afternoon light may best show off the beautiful landscaping. Even evening will add drama with the full moon shining in the distance. Turn on those lights at night to feature details such as lanterns, sconces and other light fixtures.
Take Your Time
Take your time setting up the shots. You may want to move around some furniture or simply add a pretty vase of flowers. Play around with different angles—shoot some close ups, and discover some things about the house that will make it stand out. Have fun! The great thing about digital cameras is that you can take multiple images and then pick and chose the ones you like best.
Get Input
Get your buyers’ input as well. What do they like best about their house and which features do they want to downplay? While your customer won’t be taking the pictures, it may help to find out from them the sections of the house that they think are important to show.
You are the Expert
At the same time, keep in mind that you are the professional. As a Realtor®, you offer an objective opinion of the property as well as the knowledge of what type of images will help to sell the house.
Open it Up
Staging experts recommend reducing furniture by as 50 percent. While this may seem dramatic, it is a technique to make the house look as large as possible. Open up the living areas to make the house look as large as possible. Home sellers may wish to remove or reduce removing or reducing window treatments to let in as much natural light as possible. Anything that hints of personal or artistic preferences should also be removed. Then simply click and shoot.
On the Outside
Don’t neglect the exterior of the house. You can take a picture of a cozy house in the winter or a bright, sunny house in the spring. Whatever the season, the pictures that you take should set your listed properties apart from the rest.
Be Critical
When deciding which shots to use, be critical. You may even want to get a second opinion from a colleague. Delete what doesn’t work and remember that less is more. Keep your pictures clean and simple. If you’re showing the images on a real estate postcard, it’s best to use a few larger shots rather than jam in a bunch of smaller images don’t have as much of an impact. BestPrintBuy.com offers real estate marketing materials that will incorporate your pictures so that your listed properties can look their best.
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