Pictures Essential To Selling Honolulu Homes
August 24th, 2009 categories: For Sellers
A photo is worth a thousand words (wish I would have been the one to coin this phrase). No matter how eloquent a writer may be, there is no substitute for having a set of pictures posted with your listing. The Wall Street Journal online confirmed this thesis with an article last Friday.
“Since nine out of 10 home shoppers begin their search on the Web, according to the National Association of Realtors, I’m appalled that some sellers don’t make much of an effort to make their houses presentable and visually appealing. After all, listing pictures are your main mode of advertising. If the pictures are poor quality, or don’t show every room of your house, as well as front and back views both of and from the house, many buyers won’t bother to visit.”
CLICK HERE TO READ THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ARTICLE
Here are few rules regarding pictures and the sale of any house or condominium in Honolulu.
1. You must have pictures! It is hard for me to believe that a seller or a Realtor in 2009 would allow a property to be marketed with a set of pictures posted on the Internet.
2. Use wide-angle lenses (but not too wide). Most digital cameras do not offer a useful wide-angle feature and this is why I choose to use a Canon G10. The G10 is a point and shoot camera that offer a 28 mm option and this allows me to take more representative pictures. Beware of extremely wide-angle lenses, the distorted pictures they can produce will make you home look very “fishy” (pun intended).
4. Use a tri-pod. I have used a tri-pod for several years and it allows me to get much better pictures because I can study the picture before it is taken. This additional time allows me to move items and adjust lighting that may make a better picture out come.
5. Pick pictures that flatter the best features of a home. Like humans, homes can be photogenic and others are not. Many times, I am stunned by how poorly pictures will represent some listings. Every home has a good side and it is a Realtors job to find the photos that put a listing in the best light.
6. Any picture is better than no picture. Don’t get caught up in becoming Ansel Adams, sometimes it is better to have junk pictures rather than no pictures. Just get them posted and then work on getting better pictures thereafter.
7. Some properties are ugly and require appropriate pictures. If a property is truly a mess, then be sure to use pictures that show the magnitude of the problems. Here is why. A buyer who wants a like new home will not consider a major fixer-upper, so show the bad and the ugly if that is what you have. By showing the real photos, you position your property for the buyer that can take on this type of project.
8. Most properties don’t need a professional photographer. A good digital camera normally provides excellent pictures for use on the web. Since the web does not lend itself to large photo formats, much of the quality of professional photos can be over-kill.
9. Know when to use a professional. There are properties that should be shot by a pro. A professional brings knowledge of lighting, removing shadows and is generally in an excellent position to make certain properties look their best. If you are going to do full color professional printing, it is a good idea to spend the additional money.
If you would like to discuss your real estate needs, feel free to call me at 808-737-2093 or toll free at 877-737-2093. You can email me at keahi@lava.net.
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