I have done it myself; I took what I thought were great ad photos and used them for my online MLS ad. My clients thought they were fine, and I thought they were fine, until I started working as a purchasing agent in Seattle a few years ago.

I’ve worked with over 40 different buyers a week and every day I’d hear, “Did you see those listing pictures? There’s no way we want to see that house, it’s a dump! Does the listing agent know how bad it is?” are?” Obviously, the real estate agent did not spend anything on real estate photography.

My buyers would also see some great listing photos and want to come in to see the house that afternoon. We would walk in and they would wonder if it was the same house they saw online. They felt cheated because the pictures did not look anything like the real home. (but at least the real estate agent got the buyers to tour the house).

It all came down to the listing images they saw online. That’s essential listing marketing! Give buyers a great picture and they’ll jump inside the house that day. Give them a do-it-yourself image and they’ll move on to the next house. Listing images make all the difference, especially when you’re spending a few bucks on professional real estate photography!

Even when the listing pictures were better than the actual house, guess what? It still has the buyers in! That is your goal as a listing agent; get as many shows as possible. Professional real estate photography makes that happen.

With over 80%+ of buyers searching online now, listing photos are the first thing they look at and what they base their initial impressions on.

How much money in lost commissions do you think you’re missing out on because you won’t spend a couple hundred bucks on professional real estate photography?

If you spent your well-invested marketing dollars on some professional real estate photography…

1. You could have more satisfied customers because the house sold faster.
2. You could have made more cash because you didn’t have to lower your asking price when the listing became outdated on the market.
3. It might appear to be one of the top producers in the area due to faster sales, more attractive listings, and more satisfied customers. Your overall image is improved, big time!

Isn’t it funny how such a small aspect of your business can affect the whole thing? Anytime you realize how a problem is affecting your bottom line, that’ll cheer you up, right?

Now don’t give me the excuse that it’s too expensive because it’s not. Look at it as a marketing and advertising expense because that’s exactly what it is. And real estate photography is one of the best things you can spend your marketing dollars on.

You have a couple of options……..

You could hire a real estate photography professional in your local area and offer them $50-$200 to come to your listing and take some fabulous photos. Make sure they are top notch, have all the proper equipment, and understand the point of these photos. You don’t want to pay for real estate photos that are no better than your own.

Your other option is to go with a company like Vicaso.com that is dedicated exclusively to real estate photography. His business is posting photos for real estate agents!

You can schedule your photo shoot on their website, pay around $200, and get the most captivating ad photos you’ll ever see. Even if you have a crack house for sale, your real estate photography will make it look like a palace.

I’m telling you; Don’t skimp on your real estate photography. Look at the cost as an investment. If you spent $200 on professional real estate photography and earned another $20,000 in commissions that year from faster sales, more clients, and higher listing prices, wouldn’t it be worth it? You can bet!