The real estate market has changed drastically over the last few years. It’s hard to believe there was ever a time when people bought and sold houses without using the Internet! Now, more than 90 per cent of home searches begin online.

High quality photos are no longer “nice to have;” they are an absolute must. Another result of the end user having direct access to online listings is how much faster everything moves. It means these spectacular, eye-catching images need to be ready before your house is even listed. In this post, we’ll dive into how you can make your listing stand out in a crowded market and make the most of your sale.

An accurate price point is essential when selling your home, and a free home evaluation is a great way to start. Book yours today right here.

The Value of First Impressions

Unfortunately, quality photos are often the first thing on the chopping block by sellers who are hoping to save money. It’s easy to understand the temptation. Why pay for a photographer when you can just take pictures with your smartphone? You would also save a lot of time since you wouldn’t have to book and prepare for an appointment.

But remember that online images are an integral piece of the home buying process, and this is one place you don’t want to skimp out. Photos create a large part of the first impression a buyer has when viewing homes online. They are the difference between whether a buyer decides to take the next step and visit your home in person or just click “next.”

Are you facing a particularly unique challenge when selling your home? The resources below can help:

• Can You Successfully Sell a House With a Stigma?
• How to Sell Your Home After a Divorce
• Why Sellers Hesitate to List Their Homes for Sale

DIY or Professional Photos?

The problem with using cell phone pictures is they often turn out grainy, which no longer makes the cut during a competitive market. But what if you or a friend are talented in photography and well known for your spectacular images? The pictures from your last vacation might make anyone viewing them feel as though they are right there in person. And the scenery in your images might be absolutely breathtaking.

However, there’s a difference between fantastic pictures and real estate photography. Your images don’t need to just look sharp; they need to showcase the house in the most ideal lighting from the perfect vantage points. This is a fine art that many real estate photographers have specifically trained for.

Woolcott Real Estate believes that magazine-quality photos are so important that we have an in-house photographer and videographer to help our sellers put their foot forward. Superb photos combined with beautiful staging helps to generate excitement about your home the minute your listing becomes active.

How Listing Photos Maximize Exposure

When a buyer starts searching for a new home, they usually turn to the MLS® and Realtor.ca. When a new listing goes up, it is emailed to buyers who have set criteria up that match that listing. Depending on the market and the amount of available inventory, countless listings can pop up.

At this point, photos are just a given. Being the one listing without images can really hurt your chances as a seller. Remember that text is also limited, so you typically can’t describe your property and all of its benefits in full detail. Some property websites won’t even allow a listing without photos, which can be a missed opportunity to reach potential buyers.

The old adage about a picture being worth a thousand words is true when it comes to the MLS®! In addition, listings without photos aren’t shared nearly as often, which can drastically reduce your exposure. With buyers savvier than ever, making a fantastic first impression is no longer a luxury.

Before taking photos, first make sure your house looks show worthy! The posts below will help you make that all important first impression:

• The Power of Staging When Selling Your Home
• Does Curb Appeal Still Matter When Selling A House Today?
• Minor Upgrades, Maximum Results

An Essential Part of Your Home Selling Strategy

As critical as images are, they are just one part of a well-thought-out strategy. These photos should capture the best highlights of your home and inspire potential buyers to imagine themselves living there.

This begins with presenting your home in its best possible light to begin with. Quality photos don’t help if they showcase a messy front foyer, dying flowers in the garden, or old, peeling paint. The trick is to turn your house into an eye-catching showstopper, then arrange for the photography.

From there, magazine-quality photos are part of your marketing plan. They’re what get the attention of potential buyers in the first place when they start browsing online. And beautiful feature sheets can keep buyers interested after an in person visit. As part of your strategy, professional photos and videos can help sell your home faster while maximizing your profits!

To learn more about how to make the most of your sale, get in touch with our top Hamilton and Burlington agents today. Connect with us here or call our offices at 905-332-9223 to get started.