Photography and Virtual Tours: Showcasing Your Home to Its Fullest Potential
The way your home appears online is often the first impression potential buyers will have. In this post, we’ll explore the importance of professional high quality photography, the benefits of virtual tours, and the added value of drone footage for larger properties.
The Importance of Professional Photography
Let’s be honest—your smartphone camera won’t cut it when it comes to capturing the essence of your home. Professional photographers have the equipment and expertise to make every room look its best. They understand lighting, angles, and how to make spaces appear larger or cozier, depending on what’s needed.
The Realtor’s Initial Walk-Through
However, as your realtor, my first step is to walk through your home, snapping photos with my phone. Now, these aren’t the high-quality photos that will end up in the listing. I use these subpar photos for two specific purposes:
- Crafting the home description: These initial photos help me get a sense of the space and its unique features, which aids in writing an engaging and accurate listing description.
- Pre-listing Office Exclusive: Due to a policy known as “clear cooperation,” I can’t run a public-facing Coming Soon campaign. However, I can share a coming soon campaign or an office exclusing listing campaign with my specific brokerage. I present these initial photos within my brokerage as a coming soon marketing strategy. This is where hiring a realtor from a larger firm pays off. The pre-listing can be shared pretty widely within the brokerage, giving your home initial exposure even before it hits the market. Smaller firms offer their own set of benefits, but they can’t offer this particular advantage.
Virtual Tours: A Walkthrough from Anywhere
Virtual tours offer potential buyers the chance to explore your home without stepping a foot inside. This is particularly useful for out-of-town buyers or those who want to minimize in-person visits due to health concerns. A well-crafted virtual tour can be the next best thing to being there in person.
Drone Footage: A Bird’s Eye View
If you have a larger property, drone footage can capture the grandeur and layout in a way that ground-level photos can’t. From showcasing a beautiful garden to giving a sense of the property’s scale, drone footage adds an extra layer of appeal.
Pro Tip: Provide a Floor Plan
Providing a floor plan can give potential buyers a better understanding of your home’s layout, helping them visualize how they would use the space. It’s a simple addition that can make your listing stand out.
Maximize Your Photo Limit: Tell a Visual Story
You’re limited to 40 photos in most listings, and you’ll want to take advantage of every single one. Don’t just show a picture of the kitchen or a photo of the bathroom toilet. Arrange your photos to tell a visual story. Start with a photo of the house as a whole, followed by the front door treatment, and then move through the house naturally, as if you’re giving a tour.
But, of course, photos can do more than just present a “tour.’
- Showcase a Day in the Life: Start with a sunrise photo of the home, move to breakfast in a sunlit kitchen, a midday shot of the home office, and finally, a twilight photo of a cozy living room or outdoor space. This sequence can help potential buyers imagine a day in their new life.
- Highlight Seasonal Features: If your property shines in all seasons, consider including photos that show the home in different weather conditions—like a garden in full bloom in the summer or a cozy fireplace in the winter.
- Focus on Unique Architectural Details: If your home has unique features like a vintage staircase, custom woodwork, or a uniquely designed fireplace, make sure these are prominently featured. This can attract buyers who appreciate these details.
- Emphasize Community and Location: Include a couple of photos that highlight nearby amenities, parks, or community events. This can help tell a story about the lifestyle the new homeowner could enjoy.
- The Entertainer’s Dream: If your home is great for entertaining, consider a sequence of photos that starts with an empty patio or dining room and ends with it set up for a dinner party or gathering.
By thoughtfully arranging your photos, you can do more than show off your home’s features—you can help potential buyers envision a whole new life.
The way your home is presented online is crucial in attracting potential buyers. From professional photography to virtual tours and drone footage, each element plays a part in showcasing your home in its best light.
