We have all heard the adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” In my experience of over forty-six years, this has proven true.
Professional photos are one of the best ways to market and sell a home. Here are two examples where pictures changed my course of sale.
Example One
Several years ago, I owned a home in a nearby city, in a nice neighborhood. I had leased it, and the tenants left the house in bad shape.
Following a beautiful remodel with new flooring, paint, and landscaping, the house was ready to sell. My real estate agent took pictures with her cell phone and put it on the market. I knew the photography was not professional, but I thought it would sell anyway.
Several months went by with no progress. There were few showings, and I knew something was wrong, so I sent the listing to several top real estate agents in the country.
Each of them noted that the pictures lacked professional quality, which led to agents not showing the property. Potential buyers were aware of another home in the area that, despite not being as nice as mine, had better photos and received more showings.
My agent was top-notch and agreed to pay for a professional photographer. The house sold in thirty days! Although the cell phone pictures were high-quality, they were not sufficient for this property.
People have asked me if potential buyers could be disappointed if pictures make a house look better than the actual condition. My answer is no. It is far better to get them there, allowing for firsthand decision-making. Photos highlight a property’s best features to attract qualified prospects.
Example Two
From 2009 to 2017, there was a surplus of real estate inventory on the market. In 2009, my company bought seven homes in Phoenix, Arizona, from a bank. They were lower-end houses, and a few of them were in slightly rural areas.
I listed them with a genuinely nice and personable realtor but after 120 days, there were no offers. I don’t even think there were any showings.
I needed movement and found another qualified agent named Clayton on the Real Estate Owned (REO) Network. He sounded like an old cowboy on the phone! I explained the situation, and he inspected the houses that very day.
His report emphasized the fact that the properties did not have any signs and only one picture per property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) or other online platforms like Zillow. I will never forget his words, “You cannot sell a house without pictures, and signs are essential too.”
He confidently said that the houses had no chance of selling unless there were signs and as many photos as allowed by the MLS. I followed his advice, and he listed and sold them all within thirty days.
Professional photography is usually unnecessary for lower-priced homes sold ‘as is’ and not considered elite properties. However, it is still a high priority to have as many pictures as possible. The number of photos affects the ranking on most MLS listings nationwide.
Clayton became a great friend and mentor. Although he has since retired, we keep in touch, and he continues to recommend agents and vendors to me.
This is my story, and I am sticking to it!
Tips
- Plenty of professional pictures are key to marketing a home!
- Agents should always put as many pictures as possible on the MLS and other online platforms. Listings with more pictures will pop up before those with fewer pictures.
- Seek input from an outside source and ensure that the pictures are professional. In today’s real estate market, photos encourage people to visit the location and properties and then sell.
- I recommend the Real Estate Owned (REO) network for selling properties, especially when needing repair.
- Life is about making friends and relationships.
Click here to find tips on the Primary Criteria for Establishing a Sellable Owner-Financed Mortgage Note.
Steve Whitlock
American Equity Funding, Owner