1,751,029
I'm a photographer. I studied photography in college. I used to hire pros to do mine and realized that mine were as good or better. I have all of the equipment to do a first-class job, and my photographs are the one thing I'm regularly complimented on. One recent sale was made by a kitchen photo. I might be an anomaly.
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Tammy Lankford,
Eatonton, GA
-
Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
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Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
-
J.R. Schloemer
Louisville, KY
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Bruce Walter
West Lafayette, IN
-
Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Chris Ann Cleland
Gainesville, VA
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
-
Rae Hoffman
Katy, TX
5,104,931
They are cheap and lazy! And the next question is why do their seller clients accept these sub-standard photos?
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Tammie White, Broker
Franklin, TN
-
Jill Murty, Realtor - ...
Laguna Niguel, CA
-
Jeff Perlis Prime Prop...
Lake Arrowhead, CA
-
Margaret Goss
Winnetka, IL
-
J.R. Schloemer
Louisville, KY
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Bruce Walter
West Lafayette, IN
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Richard Bazinet /MBA, ...
Scottsdale, AZ
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
4,800,082
Not all Realtors are bad photographers. And, I see many professional photos that look good, but don't highlight what buyers want to see.
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Tammy Lankford,
Eatonton, GA
-
Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Bruce Walter
West Lafayette, IN
-
Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Francine Viola
Olympia, WA
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Kevin J. May
Hobe Sound, FL
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
2,161,048
Not all "professional" photos are satisfactory and not all photos taken by agents themselves are bad. I see examples of both plenty of times.
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Tammy Lankford,
Eatonton, GA
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Bruce Walter
West Lafayette, IN
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Chris Ann Cleland
Gainesville, VA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Kevin J. May
Hobe Sound, FL
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
1,052,186
I have some agent friends who are absolutely fabulous at photography. I'm not one of them. And it depends on the property. I have become very fond of aerial drone photography for the exteriors of my commercial properties and land parcels. But I'm not going to bash agents who take their own pictures if they're adequate at it. Not everything requires it.
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Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
-
J.R. Schloemer
Louisville, KY
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Bruce Walter
West Lafayette, IN
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Kevin J. May
Hobe Sound, FL
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
4,882,355
The same reason they do not return phone calls, write terriable offers, do not provide room sizes in mls, etc etc etc
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Jordan Ayan
Scottsdale, AZ
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Kevin J. May
Hobe Sound, FL
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Rae Hoffman
Katy, TX
1,196,798
Many do not see the value in a professional photographer. Penny wise pound foolish. Rae Dolan
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Bruce Walter
West Lafayette, IN
-
Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Tony and Suzanne Marri...
Scottsdale, AZ
-
Rae Hoffman
Katy, TX
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,574,666
It all depends on the property and price point. While every seller deserves professional representation that does not always include professional photos.
-
J.R. Schloemer
Louisville, KY
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Jerry Newman
San Antonio, TX
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
2,436,099
Maybe some agents take good photos. Maybe the seller decided on a different commission scheduled based on whether or not professional photography is included. Maybe the price points in a particular area result in commissions below $1000-2000 (before tax is taken out) and an agent does not want to spend a sizable portion of their commission on photos. Maybe the seller insists that the agent use their photos. Maybe.....
The point is, there could be a lot of reasons. I do see listings and I cringe and say to myself, what in the world were they thinking? Dark photos, rooms full of junk, open toilet seats, etc. But my focus is on my business. If other agents put up listings with crummy photos, that reflects on them. It makes my listings look better.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Bruce Walter
West Lafayette, IN
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Francine Viola
Olympia, WA
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
1,844,271
Gee, they think their photos are great & they evidently do not get embarrassed! I think the worst are the ones that BS that Iphone photos are great.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Rae Hoffman
Katy, TX
259,317
While I am a decent amatuer photographer, I learned years ago to offer pro photos to ALL listings, after all it is MY brand and reputation out there. I didnt understand why colleagues werent doing the same,,especially when the lighting was off. Finally asked one why, ,,their response? " I think mine are as good as a pro, and I didnt have to spend $300+ . "
I guess its akin to the person you see in the grocery store with Red and orange striped shirt and Camo Khaki green pants!
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
1,725,996
This question should be qualified. Many of us here are trained photographers. We still take our own and the diligence and focus to detail is over and above higher that the results we have experienced when hiring so-called professionals
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Rae Hoffman
Katy, TX
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Sam Shueh
San Jose, CA
3,345,091
We would not get professional photography in my area for less than $500.
Some agents are better photographers than "professional" photographers.
I realize you are making reference to bad MLS photos. I agree photos are a huge piece of the listing marketing.
The real issue runs deeper than crappy photos. The real issue, from my perspective, is why sellers accept lower standards when selling their home. It could be they bought the discount. Need I say more?
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Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Richard Bazinet /MBA, ...
Scottsdale, AZ
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Bruce Walter
West Lafayette, IN
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
5,229,945
I have never understood this either Rae! Even during the recession, regardless of the price point, I hired the professional...and always have and will! My sellers expect nothing but, the best!
As for pricing - $200 would be a dream in my area!
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J.R. Schloemer
Louisville, KY
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Bruce Walter
West Lafayette, IN
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
1,153,794
A professional "real estate" photographer often adds too much artistry to "their" presentation. An agent actually has a better sense of what they wish to portray. Quality is the real issue and if you cannot produce that hire a pro!
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
4,572,067
There are likely many reasons--- I don't spend much time thinking about it.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
921,504
The reality is anyone whose business practice differs from our own is lazy, stupid, pound foolish, sub-standard, (add your pejorative here).
If one is not privy to the listing contract it is possible one does not have all the facts.
What is missing in the conversation of this call to judgment is the success of the agent and the outcome expected by the owner. If the Sub-standard images result in a house sold, the take away may be that many agent are chasing professional shiny things.
So, share with us, what are the historic RESULTS of this agents listings?
It is possible this agents listings endure on the market 6 months longer than the statistical average. With that fact one can employ surrogate endpoints and declare, "Sub-standard photography results in 6 months longer on the market." Now you've got my attention.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Lynnea Miller
Bend, OR
-
Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
1,543,623
Because they are...
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J.R. Schloemer
Louisville, KY
-
Richard Bazinet /MBA, ...
Scottsdale, AZ
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...
La Jolla, CA
544,014
In a previous life, seemingly a thousand years ago, I was a professional commercial photographer. My clients used my photos in catalogues, magazines, books, news releases and even in an encyclopedia.
Today I am a Realtor, not a photographer. I hire professional photographers and videographers.
However, if it's a low-end house or fixer upper, I'll go ahead and take the photos myself.
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Margaret Goss
Winnetka, IL
-
Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
679,404
Every agent is different ... and there are numerous reasons, but here are just two:
1. The Agent takes great photos
2. The Agent is just starting out or does not have the extra funds ... they are working toward the goal
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Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
-
J.R. Schloemer
Louisville, KY
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
6,393,154
Speed, economy on a cheap listing, and some agents are very good at taking their own.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
-
Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
711,752
They are doing their sellers a disservice. A couple of months ago our floor agent got a call from a seller who had listed his home with another agent for several months with no response. Looking up the listing, the photos were obviously cell phone images - and poorly done with many photos out of focus. The seller fired the existing agent and hired ours - who hired a professional photographer and raised the price and got the home in contract immediately. We just closed on this home plus two more properties from the same seller!
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
5,583,278
they don't care enough to spend the few dollars....
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
564,494
I wonder the same thing...
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J.R. Schloemer
Louisville, KY
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
938,537
Why would an agent take their own photos? Simple.
It takes at least two or three times to come back and time the sun to get the perfect lighting on the exterior pictures.
Two of the professionals simply parked in the driveway and took a shot of their car in the driveway for the mls lead photo. Seriously???
No matter how many times we tell the sellers to have their house immaculate for the photo shoot there are always things that need to be moved or "thinned out", in most cases. The professional photographers had no clue that the clutter needed to be moved before taking the photos.
Deeply shaded homes in woods and homes with a north facing front elevation in winter you have to wait for a cloudy day to get the best picture.
Also scheduling is problem sometimes with a professional photographer.
We found it is much more efficient to have spent $3,000 on a great Nikon camera with various lens and the all important flash attachment.
There are countless You Tube videos that are so helpful.
Perhaps professional photographers in other real estate markets have an innate sense of what pictures to take for the mls but we deal with what is available and make the decision that is right for our sellers.
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Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
989,652
Huh, under $200 - feel free to send a photographer over here, because ours are much higher priced than that!
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Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
3,383,334
I will tell you why I resisted professional photography for so long. The pro photos made houses look much better than they actually were, which was an immediate let down when you walked in and the home was smaller and darker in person.
I pay for pro photos now because technology outpaced what I could afford in a camera. Those photos are the norm in our market and buyers are used to adjusting their expectations down. But it sure does make for extraordinary marketing pieces.
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J.R. Schloemer
Louisville, KY
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
5,048,883
No doubt they have their reasons. Some Realtors take pretty good photos.
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
2,390,543
I used to be a professional photographer and I enjoy taking my own photos. Fact is I'm no longer a photographer so I'm an amateur and I insist on doing it Rae Dolan .
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Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Jeff Pearl
Lovettsville, VA
1,502,998
Because not all agents are lazy slackers incapable of taking good photos.
-
Kat Palmiotti
Kalispell, MT
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
2,220,323
That's a very good question, I don't know.
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
577,750
It all depends on the home... Usually I do hire a photographer, but if its a smaller home I have a great 35mm camera with a few different lenses, and can take great photos... It the cell phone shots, the long and narow ones that don't fill the space for photos that look terrible.. showing you a picture of the bed instead of the whole room..
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
716,049
Exactly what Nina Hollander said... and that makes them lousy marketers.
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
5,216,381
Most of the time professional photos are warranted but there are exceptions
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
758,035
You have a lot of good answers here. Good Photography skills yield good photos & photos are a big part of selling the listing. I've seen more good photos than bad. The agents who hire professionals & agents who take great photos themselves are doing it right. The ones who slack on the photos tend to be the ones who slack on everything with their business.
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Steve Higgins
Kelowna, BC
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
3,986,258
I do my own and I do very well. I own excellent eqyiptment and know how to use it.
I also do small get togethers and pther agents photo's
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
7,835,402
Thanks for sharing your observations.
Poor photography does not work well for successful marketing.
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Richard Bazinet /MBA, ...
Scottsdale, AZ
805,799
Sometimes it is done out of necessity, when I need to get a listing up and I don't have time to wait for a photographer. We don't have a lot of real estate photographers here, there are only 2 that I and a lot of others like to work with.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
2,241,011
Invest in the technology, learn the art and you can shoot your stills, capture your video loops and have a first class image array. You don't have to hire it done and the eye candy can be collected while you are at the listing where you know what you want to emphasis. Don't have to farm it out and lots of great photographers and also those who mix in the floor plans, plat maps, more than just the images. Aerial drones are all part of what you collect to put together an online listing that gets sold.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
1,239,801
The phone camera technology is advanced it replaces a lot human skills required. It does not replicate lightings though.
I have worked for several re photography companies covering some of the pricey homes in SFBA, I take crystal clear photos with great lightings multiple flashes. The angle comes with experience not technology.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
1,311,397
Some think they are good photographers.
Some are cheap.
Some do not understand that bad pictures equal fewer showings. Potential buyers reject the photos – and the house – that the see on their electronic device.
Some do not understand the requirements of properly representing sellers in today’s market.
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
4,935,667
Some people are just cheap!
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Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
2,178,553
When I was working professional photos weren't available in my area. Fortunately, I was a decent photographer and my sellers often commented how pleased they were with the pictures. I've seen some pretty horrible pictures, though, and those agents should definitely hire a pro.
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
4,434,127
Depends
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
3,071,489
Doug Dawes nailed this one!
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
2,781,153
Convenience....
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Diana Dahlberg
Pleasant Prairie, WI
321,564
I agree with Nina Hollander With all the competition for listings why would a seller not expect and demand more than cheap shots from a cell phone.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
87,920
Cheap.
Yet, the cost of pro photo + drone+ video+ website is much more than 200, but I always pay.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
1,076,551
I have to say I have seen some agents take great photos and with editing software and sites available, it's not a terrible idea if they know what they're doing.
Now on the other hand, some agents just think they're part time photographers, industry evangelists, celebrities, etc (aka the "We do everything! (but don't do anything well!) crowd)
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
54,940
I am an excellent photographer - went to College originally to be a photo-journalist. Have more camera gear than is healthy. However, I do not shoot my own properties. My market is luxury, and to shoot a high-end property requires an architectural photographer, which is a special talent. Every property we list and sell tells a story and the images need to help tell that story. We usually book a photographer to shoot interiors and outdoor twilight and night shots. Our clients love the images, and they do help sell the home. I am amazed when we get listings that other agents had previously and the owner tells us they shot the pictures of their $1.5 Million home on an I-Phone. If interested, you can view our image portfolio here. The image below is from our listing that went live yesterday (one of the night shots).
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
1,390,113
We found a FANTASTIC Matterport company for under $300 and use them for EVERY listing.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
427,157
I am sure they have their reasons. I can't justify it any longer, so I rarely waste the valuable first impression, when it hits the market, with my own photos. I have a photographer I am happy with, and the photographer is happy with me.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
900,128
Many agent photos are actually better than the professional ones. It's the agents who do not act professionally that allow bad photos on their listings.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
3,416,038
Some Realtors are pretty proessional when taking their own photos. Those who use bad pictures are A. Lazy. B. Do not care or C. Too busy to hand any more listings, AND either way, should refrain from taking listings if they can not take or use good photos or in some cases, any photos.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
1,712,676
911,228
Because many agents are better photographers than they are agents. Also, time can be an issue. I've seen photos taken by so called professional photographers that are pretty awful. I remember one " professional" photographer sent me a slide show of her work. I actually thought it was a slide show on how not to take photos. Also, many homes aren't staged or organized, so all the professional photos in the world aren't going to make it look better. Another factor is the current market. Many homes sell in 2 weeks or less with bad or average looking photos, agents know that, so they figure, why spend time and money on a professional photographer?
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
3,988,007
Some of us take good photos and know how to edit but professionals are very affordable and you don’t use your own time.
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Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
5,772,575
Rae,
I just think that they do not realize that they are doing work that can be done more effectively by someone else. The time it takes them to do it could be better spent in selling aproperty or getting a listing. A
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
763,883
1,598,452
I love professional photos.
We do take a low priced rental's picture ourself though.
3,718
because you can go to a site like fivrr and have them digitally enhanced for 30 bucks versus paying a professional photographer 200 or more to take pics of a listing...just my opinion
4,272,548
3,164,269
a- you don't get a professional in my market for anywhere close to $200. $500 is about as cheap as it gets here and
b- some agents are capable of taking fantastic photos.
5,868,472
The photos sell a property, and not sure why they don't invest in their own business - I agree with you!
86,514
Seriously! Even in the greatest, most expensive state of California, I can get superb photos (even drone shots) for $190 to $240 per session. Those who take photos from their smart phones and try to wing it because why spend extra money when it's gone in 2 days, are missing the point. These are COMPARABLE SALES for your fellow Realtors/Agents. They thinking stops at the end of their nose! And their clients? How can they abide such shabbiness? This is one of my biggest beefs with the shoddy work of agents now in our industry. Lack of viable comments to accompany the photo in the MLS is also another issue. I don't need to see "Kitchen" as the only description of the kitchen! Same indiots who take a client through a home and point out, "now here's the kitchen."--like what else has an island, sink, double ovens, cooktop, stainless fan overhead, granite counter tops--than a kitchen! Arrrrrrgh!!
666,539
Rae ~ For the ones that have the equipment and skill to take the photos, it probably allows them to make sure that they are able to present the property in the best possible way. The other camp that has neither the equipment or skill, it is almost certainly a cheap thing. They don't want to spend money if they don't have to (in their minds) and the seller need to call them out if the photos are crud.
2,684,009
4,319,419