To quote a widely used maxim, a picture is worth a thousand words. If you are using such an image to entice someone to buy the theme, the image should have a much higher value than that. When it comes to selling a home, the images you use to attract potential buyers should best represent the quality of your home and show off the finer points, as well as offer a glimpse of the solid construction. When creating a pictorial of your home for sale, you’ll need to do more than just point and shoot.
Here are some things to consider when taking pictures of your home to display online or in real estate magazines:
1) Use a good camera. You don’t necessarily have to hire a professional photographer to drag thousands of dollars worth of equipment to create a memorable photo album of your home. However, you might want to think twice before pointing a subpar phone’s camera at your living room and posting the result to Facebook. Some cell phone cameras take good photos, but may not produce the proper quality needed to properly showcase your home.
Whether digital or film, make sure the camera you use produces high-quality images that look great in print and online, no matter how you distribute them.
2) Look at the lighting. Lighting is important with any photography you take, and when you bring out the best qualities in your rooms, you want to make sure the lighting doesn’t overpower the environment. Stand behind a light when taking a picture for good results, and be careful not to overlight your rooms so the light washes everything out.
3) Get the “better side”. We can laugh when a friend says, “Make sure you get my good side” when taking pictures. However, the same could be said for the rooms and parts of the house that you want to display. An image should define the space and depth of a room, and highlight its best qualities: accessories in a kitchen, wardrobe room, a good garage. If necessary, stand safely on a stool for an “aerial” shot that captures as much of the room as possible. Also take photos from different angles to give the buyer more perspective.
4) Some might think that having people and pets in the image gives an idea of how comfortable home is for families. This can actually work against you with buyers, who may have a different impression of what defines a home. Try to keep as much personal stuff out of the picture as possible.
When you have the right images on your website or print brochures, you can attract buyers who are interested in seeing the home in person. Take care that your house is photogenic and ready to sell.