Here is this week’s installment featuring the pathetic photographic skills of my colleagues here in the Northwest.

I wish I could say I had to look hard to find these photos, but unfortunately I don't. Here are this weeks gems. Notice the nice dark spot on the floor where the built in flash was obstructed by the lens… and of course no tripod!

 

 

 

This home is on the Eastside. The average commission for a home in this area and price range would be about $50,000. I would be embarrassed to put this quality of photos on $200,000 condo, let alone a home with a value approaching one million dollars!

Sellers – Before you list with an agent make sure they can prove to you that they can use a camera with skill or will hire a professional photographer who can. If they can't do either, then find another agent. Your home deserves it best chance of selling in the market and high quality photos is the way to start!

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Here is this week’s installment featuring the pathetic photographic skills of my colleagues here in the Northwest.

I am frequently asked what equipment I use to take photograph the homes I sell. I am a Canon shooter. I have invested several thousand in a good camera body, wide angle lens, several flash units and software to process the photos – which makes sure the homes I sell are shown in their best light. I also have 20 years experience as a Full-time Realtor with hundreds of hours behind a camera pointed at my listings.

I have always had good equipment, and to an even greater extent today. One thing I have not done without for over a decade, can be obtained cheaply (as little as $20) and requires no specific skill to use, but can make a dramatic impact on how a home appears. Unfortunately most agents still do not use one!

Let’s look at this week’s photos to see if you can guess what I am talking about:

If you guessed a tripod, you are RIGHT!  This item allows you to present the room accurately without giving the viewer the feeling they about to fall on their face! Here is a dining room shot on a home I just sold.

 

See what I mean? The photo is level with no converging lines and is much more pleasing as a result!

Sellers: This market is challenging enough! The single greatest thing an agent can to do make the marketing on your home shine, is to provide high quality photographs of your home!
My sales track record is way above the average agent in my area and good photos is just one of the reasons why.  If you would like your home to marketed in a highly skilled and professional manner so you can reap the benefits thereof, I welcome you to contact me at 425-466-1000.

If you’re an agent reading this… and you would like to learn how to take better photos, check out http://photographyforrealestate.net/    
If you would like to see what tripod I use it is here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/490675-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_756XB_756XB_MDeVe_Aluminum_Tripod.html
and the tripod head is here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/124665-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_410_410_Mini_Geared_Head.html

Better yet, hire my friend Scott Chytil at: http://www.chytilphoto.com/

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Usually I post some really pathetic photos from my colleagues here in the Northwest. This week is different. These photos are clearly professional quality. Given the nature of the photo, I would even say the photographer is trying for art. My questions is… are real estate marketing photos supposed to be art?

Here is the photo that I came across today…

As I have mentioned in some of my previous posts, the MLS in our area only allows 15 photos to be input with each listing. These are the photos that go out to all the brokers websites and is the first impression agents and buyers have of the home.

In all but the smallest of properties, I will shoot dozens of photos and then pick the best 15 to show of the floorplan, features and quality of the home and yard. The photo above is of a 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 2500 s.f. home in Redmond. So I am sure there was many more opportunities to describe the home to potential buyers. Here is the another photo of the kitchen: 

This shot gives a much better sense of the space and still shows off the tile and faucet that the photographer was attempting to highlight in the first photo.  My point is… I think it would have been a better use of the top 15 photos, than to choose the sink picture.

Here are two that I took from a home that is in the same area as this one. BTW… my listing sold for above list price in 4 days and closed escrow today. You can view more details on this listing here: http://eastsidehomes.com/Listings/6605-152nd/index.htm

Okay, one thing is for sure… these are not Architectural Digest photos. :-) However, that is not what my goal is.  Many agents hire photographers who want to be artists and that is the slant they place upon their work. I am agent, who enjoys photography. My number one goal is to photograph the home so it sells, which meets my clients objectives.

I have seen all kinds or crazy photos in the MLS for homes… just look at some of my past posts:
http://eastsidehomes.typepad.com/weblog/photography/index.html

If you are seller and you wish to not only sell your home in this market, but get the best price you can – make sure the photos your agent is using shows your home in its best light and as complete as possible.

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com

Here is this week’s installment featuring the pathetic photographic skills of my colleagues here in the Northwest.

When I saw the first photo, I thought "WOW that is some serious lens flair!" As I looked on further through this listings photos I found not just more lens flair from shooting straight into the sun but an obviously dirty lens too! 

I wonder if the seller of this home has any clue as to what photos their agents is using to present their home to the public. Would you pay 20k+ for this type of presentation of your home? This seller did. How sad! I am sure many potential buyers passed on this home due to this poor presentation!

If you are ready to sell your home and would like top notch Realtor and outstanding photos showcasing your home, give me a call. It is part of my service and I will make sure your home stands out! You can check out my photographic work for my clients at: http://www.tonymeierphotography.com/f1038471003/

If you’re an agent reading this and you would like to learn how to take better photos, check out http://photographyforrealestate.net/ or at least get a cloth and wipe your lens! 🙂

Posted By:
Tony Meier
Eastside & Seattle Realtor
EastsideHomesBlog.com
EastsideHomes.com
Seattle's Eastside Real Estate Resource
tony@eastsidehomes.com