Do I Need Professional Listing Photos?

The answer to this question is almost always YES. When the typical buyer looks at your listing, the first thing that will draw their attention is the photos you have chosen to represent your home. Listing photos can either encourage more offers, or inhibit them. With an increasing number of buyers turning to online listing services to shop for homes, it’s important to make sure you provide images of your home that are flattering, sharp, and well-lit.

In fact, studies show that not only do professionally photographed listings get more online views, they also sell for up to $19,000 more than those photographed by an amateur. It’s one of the most straightforward ways to get more people interested in your home.

Hiring a photographer for your listing photos may seem expensive, but you may be surprised. Depending on the available lighting and square footage of your home, you may be able to get a basic photo shoot for around $250. Higher-end homeowners typically end up paying slightly higher rates for advanced lighting and post-processing techniques.

Choose a professional photographer who has specific experience with real estate or architectural photography, and don’t be shy to ask to see a portfolio or if they will be shooting with a full-frame camera. The goal is to market and sell your home, not create an artistic rendition of it. Experienced photographers will have the skill and equipment necessary to capture the best possible version of your home through a variety of angles.

Another factor to keep in mind is that horizontal photos appear much better in the MLS system as opposed to vertically positioned photos. If your home is going to be listed in a different real estate listing database, find out if the same standard applies.

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