Photos and videos are more important than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past 10 years, consumers have become more reliant on photos and video when considering an online purchase. According to NAR, 97% of home buyers searched the internet for homes in 2020, proving the importance of showing potential buyers high-quality, professional photos. Our research shows that professional photos not only make lasting first impressions, they also help to sell homes faster!
Here are the top 5 reasons to leave real estate photography to the professionals.
1. Great First Impressions
Many of us know our attention spans are growing shorter and shorter. In 2000, Microsoft stated the average person’s attention span was 12 seconds long. 15 years later, it’s dropped to 8 seconds (1 less than a goldfish)! With so much information being thrown at us from different devices and channels, grabbing and holding the buyer’s attention is crucial when it comes to selling a home.
Additionally, a study conducted by Old Dominion University showed that 95.1% of participants looked at pictures of the home before anything else, making professional photos key to making that first, great first impression.
2. Listings with Professional Photos Sell 32% Faster and Sell for More Money
According to a press release by PRNewswire, listings with professional photography sell 32% faster. It’s also worth noting that the more photos a listing has, the faster it will sell. A property with one photo spends an average of 70 days on the market, but a home with 20 photos spends 32 days on the market. That’s a lot of time that could be spent listing another property. On a related note, it has been proven that professional photos draw the most attention and generate an average 139% increase in clicks! Check out the infographic below from Asset Based Lending for more helpful information.
https://rismedia.com/2018/12/12/shocking-stats-importance-photography-real-estate/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/8-reasons-why-professional-photography-must-realtors-michel-heggedal/
3. Hiring a Professional Photographer Saves Time by Allowing You to Focus on Your Clients
We know how much time and effort goes into selling a property. That’s why we recommend hiring professionals to take this off your hands to allow you to focus on your clients.
One of the best perks of working with our team is the exceptional customer service we strive to achieve. From scheduling, to the photo shoot, to the delivery of the product, TK Images always aims to streamline the process for you and deliver the best customer care.
We understand time is valuable, which is why our photographers have supra access. With supra access, our photographers can take away the stress of needing to find time in your busy schedule to meet at the photo shoot. The only thing they need is the CBS (Call Before Showing) code or combo to access the property and do what they do best!
Professionally edited photos make a world of difference. All of our images are taken through a two-step editing process and undergo essential adjustments to make your photos pop. These improvements are free and done to every photo when applicable. This includes, but is not limited to: enhancing or dropping in a sky, greening the grass, straightening the photo, color correction, balancing the light, tripod reflection removal, and removing pool equipment.
Once the photos are ready, we will load them to the MLS. Listing not active? We also have access to Incomplete and Coming Soon listings. Inactive? Call or email the office when the listing goes live and we will upload the photos for you (applicable to Houston agents only).
4. Knowledge and Expertise
We are aware of the progress we have made with technology in the past 10 years. We understand that snapping a quick picture with your phone might be easy and convenient. However, when it comes down to overall image quality, professional cameras, such as DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, still produce a much higher quality image than smartphone cameras. Professional photographers also carry multiple interchangeable lenses, which allows the photographer to capture a wide range of shots for their clients. For example, our photographers shoot with wide-angle lenses to ensure views of every room, exterior, or landscape are to their best advantage.
https://www.techradar.com/news/smartphones-vs-cameras-do-you-still-need-a-dslr
When you hire a professional photographer, you’re hiring them for their knowledge and expertise. Professional real estate photographers are experts in their field and know how to showcase the best features of a property to help you sell homes quicker and for an average of $3,000 more! Our team of professional photographers and editors showcase a seller’s home to present it in its best light – whether the property is a $50,000 bungalow or a $20 million estate. From HDRing to dropping in a beautiful blue sky, professional editors know how to make photos pop and catch the eyes of potential buyers. It is imperative to ensure your property is being represented in its best light and striking photos are a sure way to attract a buyer’s attention.
5. Branding
If you take a look at any retail website, you will see that professional photography is an essential and consistent part of their brand. Similar to these retail brands, the images you use are a direct reflection of your brand and could make or break a sale. Sellers want to know that you care about their home and buyers want to know that you care about finding them the perfect home.
Professional photography will make your brand visually appealing and stand out amongst others. In addition, high-quality photos tell sellers and potential buyers that you are invested, dedicated to your job as a real estate expert, and that you care how your brand is perceived. Regardless of the property’s value, stay consistent by making professional photos part of your brand. Show clients you operate professionally and they will bring you more business through referrals and word of mouth.
Let’s Work Together!
TK Images cares about your business and appreciates each and every client we work with. We go above and beyond to deliver products of the highest quality and take pride in the relationships we have built and maintained with our clients since 2002. We have and will always operate under the guiding tenets of quality, customer service, and dedication. View our full menu of Services and Schedule your next photoshoot with us here. We look forward to working with you!