Make The Most of Your Home Photos

In an age where anyone can access the Internet at home, work, coffee shops and even restaurants, the photos Realtors submit with their listings are more important than ever. Homebuyers can search for properties all over the world from the comfort of their living room, which makes it imperative for Realtors listings to have Web curb appeal that stops them in their tracks. The property photos, both interior and exterior, that appear on the MLS system, on any Web site or on the property flyers need to make not just a good impression, but a great one.
“Because the majority of homebuyers are shopping online, quality photos of the property may be the magnet that piques their interest,” said Saber Amine, President of Homes And People. The Denver Metrolist offers the opportunity for the Metrolist MLS subscribers to include up to 10 photos with every listing.”
Here are a few photo tips for Realtors or For Sale By Owners (FSBO), starting with equipment and terminology:
Digital camera: Use a digital camera rather than a cell phone to take property photos since the digital camera will offer better quality shots. Visit your local camera shop to select a camera, or get educated online by visiting sites such as www.amazon.com that offer consumer reviews on electronics. You don’t necessarily need a camera with a variety of fancy features, “Instead, choose a camera that you will be comfortable using.”
Memory: An external memory card is ideal because you can upload your photos to your hard drive without connecting your camera to your computer; all you need is a memory card reader (the size of a thumb drive), which plugs into the USB drive of your computer. You can view, edit and save your photos right from the memory card, and even e-mail them to clients.
Resolution: When taking property photos, Metrolist recommends 640 x 480 or 1024 x 768 pixels, with a 4 x 3 aspect ratio: Also, save your photos in .jpg format.
Wide angles: A wide angle lens helps capture the entirety of a room from a shorter distance. Magnetic wide angle lenses are available that you can simply attach to the existing lens on your camera. A .45x to .50x magnification is recommended to allow you to capture the room without getting the fish eye effect. You can check out your local camera shop for help in selecting a wide angle lens, or visit such sites as www.amazon.com or www.bestbuy.com.
Now, here is a little help with technique:
Lighting is important: Take exterior shots in the middle of the day when the sun is overhead, or be sure to have the sun at your back so the home is highlighted. For interiors, if needed, close blinds or curtains to eliminate the bright spot from the window in a room. Also, turn on interior lights and use a flash to even out exposure.
Showcase the room: It seems like common sense, but sometimes you get so caught up in taking photos that you don’t notice the half-empty water glass on the table or the pair of shoes by the chair. Take a minute to look at the room and remove any clutter.
Take a tour: When uploading your photos, consider the viewer’s perspective and create a logical sequence. For example, always start with the exterior of the home. If the kitchen is next, include all kitchen shots, then move on to the living room and other adjacent spaces. Complete one floor level at a time.
All photos are displayed on www.recolorado.com and our website www.homesandpeople.com for clients and the public for even broader exposure.