Many people are visually oriented, and what they see with their eyes will have a large say in how they perceive whatever it is they’re looking at. So what about when that happens within the context of a potential purchase – and that purchase is one that will be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. If that’s the case with a home then as the seller had best be sure that potential buyer likes what they’re seeing from the very first moment they see it.
The way a realtor markets a home for clients is always important, and the types and quality of visuals used can really factor into whether that potential buyer evaluates the home any further.
Whether or not an agent does well with this can also factor into their success with lead generation for real estate agents in Canada. This is because people who might consider choosing you as their agent will almost always make a visit to your website, and it’s here that you’ll have images that show the homes you currently have on the market for clients. This reflects your expertise as an agent. For someone who is visually oriented if they are able to see really attractive images of homes then they will be more inclined to have you be the listing agent if they want to sell their home.
Doing well with this aspect of real estate marketing can directly transfer over into success with real estate lead generation. This is doubly true if you also get good with virtual property tours where you can give potential buyers a live view tour of a home where you take them from room to room after viewing the entire exterior of the property, and the grounds if it is a detached home. But with this week’s blog entry here we are going to keep the focus on photography and not videos, and there are some very long-standing truths about getting good photos of a home for sale.
This is another example of where an agent can add to their knowledge base and then have this savvy ready to share with clients as they get ready to sell their home. In every single instance like this people are going to want to see a realtor who portrays themselves as an industry expert and really knows their stuff.
Knowing how to get good photos AND knowing the importance of good photography for real estate marketing can be a significant part of having that for yourself and coming across that with potential clients. Show your listings in the best light – invest in professional photos today!
Difference Maker
Potential buyers will be scrolling through dozens of listings on any number of different platforms. And there are studies that indicate that homes with professional photos sold 32% faster and for 17% more money on average. Similar results suggest that listings with professional photos receive 61% more online views than those without. And homes shown online with high-quality images sell 32% faster compared to listings with standard photos.
Be aware as well that it’s common for premium properties with expert visuals to get a much higher price-per square foot, and this will usually translate to tens of thousands of additional dollars in the eventual sale price you’re able to get for your clients. Hopefully this is convincing enough for you to put a priority on getting better quality photographs of the home you have listed for clients. It’s fairly common for realtors to note the drop in the average time on the market for homes that are marketed with good photography – similar studies showing that time period can decline by up to one whole week after switching exclusively to professional imagery, and boosting monthly sales volume by an average of 15%.
One of the approaches to this that is really key to having success with it is to really optimize the images that you’ll be putting up first. The very first photo in your online listing is critical, and it is usually a wide-angle shot of the front exterior or most impressive room. The best choice is to have that image taken with the right composition, lighting, and post-processing to ensure this image instantly grabs attention and encourages clicks.
Right Pics, Right Times
It’s also good if you know what to highlight in the home and how you can best highlight those features in the photos taken. This can make a significant difference in how your property is perceived and remembered, and over time these types of images being featured on your site can really help with lead generation for real estate agents Canada. One good tip is to capture the façade during ‘golden hour’ lighting to enhance curb appeal. Try to get images that really represent architectural details, garden space, and street context to convey lifestyle and neighbourhood quality.
For the interior of the home you should try to emphasize unique selling points such as bespoke kitchens, spa bathrooms, original features (e.g., exposed brick or beams), and open-plan layouts. This really is a part of how to show your listings in the best light so invest in professional photos today! Skilled photographers also know how to best take advantage of natural light. Maximize daylight by scheduling shoots during late mornings or early afternoons, using reflectors or lighting equipment to balance shadows.
For larger homes with extensive property or acreage you should get video from drones and use the up-high vantage point for aerial views. This is especially true for larger plots, countryside homes, or developments. Aerial shots showcase land size, proximity to amenities, and neighbourhood character.
If you have a better quality camera you should try become proficient with using HDR (high dynamic range) imaging for better balance exposure in your photos. It will allow you to merge multiple exposures to capture bright windows and darker interiors in one balanced image. This avoids underexposed rooms or blown-out highlights, resulting in inviting visuals that accurately represent the property’s character.
Boost Online Visibility and Engagement
These days a strong online presence is a fundamental part of property marketing. Listings with professional images will always look better, and that usually means they will then perform better across digital platforms. Agents who invest in professional photography almost always see a notable uplift in engagement metrics. Then there is the fact that online portals reward listings with high-quality images by prioritizing them in search results. This increases visibility organically, and professional photos enhance credibility so that potential buyers have fewer doubts before they arrange to have a private home viewing or attend an open house.
You should also aim to have consistent visual branding with your images, although this is something that only comes with time and experience. Do your best with your real estate photography, but realize that it’s going to take you some time and practice to get good with it. If you can develop a consistent style across your listings by collaborating with a photographer familiar with your brand identity it can be very helpful. Whether it’s specific colour tones, image framing, or editing style, uniformity helps build recognition and trust with prospective buyers.
It’s also going to be good if you can integrate multimedia in your images, and it’s advisable to schedule photography early in the marketing campaign to ensure high-quality images are ready before listings go live. If you are working as a listing agent with home seller clients then you should encourage them to declutter and stage their properties ahead of shoots. Professional photographers can usually offer home staging advice for realtors too.
DIY or Hire a Photographer
It’s true that you can get some really good quality photos with a lot of the more high-end smartphones these days, but for most people they don’t have the adjustment skills required to get those kind of results out of the camera. It’s something you can learn and you’re encouraged to try it out but much of the time if a realtor has a big listing they’re going to want to hire a photographer for real estate.
A photographer is one good example of another working professional where you can have a referral partnership network in place, and this is another aspect of lead generation for real estate agents in Canada. So then it becomes hat should you look for when hiring a property photographer? Choose ones with proven experience in property or commercial real estate and ones who know when to shut up and listen. They understand spatial challenges and lighting nuances unique to interiors and exteriors.
It’s also good if they have proficiency in HDR, drone operation, and virtual tour creation so that it’s more likely they can accommodate any request you might have for certain types of photos. You want to have a comprehensive marketing package. Next look at their portfolio and examine past work for consistency, style, and attention to detail. And photographers familiar with your region will know how to take local architectural styles and light conditions into account.
Sign up for real estate leads here and you’ll be receiving your first of 1x-monthly leads that are sent to you exclusively – no other realtor will receive these same leads, even if they are working as a real estate agent in the same city or town in Canada as you. You can choose to receive buyer or seller leads, but most agents who sign up with us will choose to get our best package and receive both buyer and seller leads.
This is a proven-effective way to get more out of your lead finding efforts and it tends to be money well spent for agents who find they can build a larger client base faster. Show your listings in the best light – invest in professional photos today!
