In this digital world, it seems crazy that REALTORS put listings on the MLS or on their websites with few, if any, photos beyond the “Main Photo.”
Pictures are very subjective. You are at the mercy of the skills of the photographer! A great photographer will highlight a room’s positive points. An unskilled photographer may take lousy pictures, making a charming house look dark and unwelcoming.
A standard lens makes a room look smaller; a wide angle lens gives a better idea of the room size. Most agents do not use a wide angle lens. Look at the two examples below.
Believe it or not, they are taken in the same room. The image on the left is a typical MLS picture. The image on the right was taken with a wide angle lens after the room was staged. See the exposure difference? Many agents don’t know how to correct their photos. (Note: The photo below was actually darkened somewhat for illustration purposes; I’m sure you’ve seen many just like it if you’ve spent any time searching for real estate listings!)
 Dark & Unappealing |
 Staged Room & Properly Exposed |
Listing pictures should only be used as a basic guide – not a deal killer. Unfortunately, some great houses are passed up because of the photographs – either bad ones, or the complete lack of them.
Some buyers think that the home lacking interior photos is probably ugly. Sometimes, unfortunately, that IS the case, but other times, it could just simply be the seller’s preference. Some sellers are afraid that putting their pictures up on the internet will rob them of their privacy.
It is important to keep an OPEN MIND when looking at listings online!
Don’t skip that Lake Wallenpaupack lakefront or lake rights property because the living room looks dark..it could be that the agent didn’t open the blinds, or the photo is just poorly exposed.
Don’t assume that a house is ugly if there are no interior photos…or if the photos are simply bad.
The Internet is awesome; a very helpful tool in the home buying process… but nothing can replace seeing the house in person in order to get the “true picture.”
Filed under: Home Buyers, Tuesday Tips Tagged: | listings, photos, Tuesday Tips
I was talking to sellers the other night who liked the look of vacant homes when they were looking in person.
They saw the value of furniture in pictures.
I hate taking pictures of houses.
Great post!
I love how you have the different pictures of the same room to show how deceiving pictures can be. It’s amazing how much visiting the property in person can be!
Nice example photos.
It is funny how some agents will publish bad photos.
lovelylisting.com is my favorite site on that topic.