Why should you invest in a professional real estate photographer?

Unlike years ago, when people depended solely on a realtor to search for homes, most prospective homebuyers today are proactive, looking online for real estate properties before even meeting with a real estate agent. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, 93 percent of Americans use the internet to shop for homes, and 87 percent cited photos of a property for sale as most valuable in their search. Hiring a great professional real estate photographer can mean the difference between selling a property in days or weeks versus months.

Here are some of the main reasons why realtors should hire a great real estate photographer to market their listings.

Using a Professional Real Estate Photographer Can Save You Time and Stress

It takes a considerable amount of time to take good quality photos. In addition to taking photos, you also have to properly edit and process the images. This can cause stress and take a lot of time, which is something you don’t need as a busy real estate agent. But, when you hand over these jobs to a professional, you can spend more time with your clients as well as marketing your properties.

Your Listings Will Sell Faster

One of the main benefits of using a professional real estate photographer is that it can result in a home selling faster. According to a recent PR Newswire report, listings that used professional real estate photos sold 32 percent quicker than listings that did not have professional photos. Plus, there’s less risk in having a contract failing to go through.

Professional Real Estate Photographers Have Specialized Equipment and Training

Consider that professional real estate photographers have specialized software and equipment that most people don’t have with their simple point-and-click cameras. Dark rooms, such as basements that don’t have enough natural light, aren’t a problem for professional real estate photographers as they’re equipped with the proper lighting, advanced lenses, Photoshop proficiency and other equipment.

Although having specialized equipment is important, it takes more than this to capture an exceptional photo. In other words, you need to have the specific skills and training to photograph a property so that it looks it’s best.

Professional real estate photographers are trained to be “visual stagers,” meaning they know how to examine each room in a house, including vacant rooms, so they can take stunning photos. For example, professional photographers know how to make the best use of light and capture just the right angles. Furthermore, they’re trained and skilled at knowing which features need to be highlighted. Using post-production software, they’re able to display a property so that it stands out for buyers.

How the Cost of Using a Professional Real Estate Photographer Can Pay for Itself

If you’re hesitant to hire a pro because of the cost, keep in mind that listings that have higher quality photos can lead to higher asking prices. Besides increasing the chances of your current listing being sold, when you hire a professional photographer, you have better odds of receiving new listings, which can increase your sales.

By using professional photos, you can appear more valuable to clients. This can give you justification for your commission because it shows sellers that their homes can be marketed to look beautiful, resulting in sales.

Considerations and Warnings

• Photographs of properties are the main feature that prospective buyers want to see when they search for homes online.
• Professional photographers not only have the job of taking photos, but they also know how to take care of all the technical details, such as providing photos ready to upload to MLS.
• What’s more, professionals can handle any technical problems that may occur.

Do you need a high-quality professional real estate photographer? Put PLAN Media to work for you! Please contact us or check out our pricing and packages to find out more about how PLAN Media can serve you.