This morning, while showing houses, another agent complimented me on always having the maximum number of photos allowed per listing in MLS. I just laughed and said, "Thanks".
He went on to say that he's a commercial agent who's been looking for a home for his daughter and son-in-law. He looked at many MLS listings that don't have photos... even though our MLS will go out and take a front photo and upload it for free! All an agent needs to do is click a box when entering the listing.
So, when hiring an agent, beyond all the typical questions, here are a few more that may matter to you:
1) If you list my home, who will photograph it?
2) What type of camera will be used? (Wide angle lens is better - no camera phones, please!!)
3) Can you provide me with examples of other homes you have photographed?
4) If I don't like the pictures, will you re-take them?
5) Will you stage my home BEFORE photographing it?
5) Will you create a virtual tour of my home?
6) Will you take photos of the neighborhood park, schools and other points of interest to use on the virtual tour?
And, of course, once your home is listed, be sure to check out the advertising. Have your agent send you a link to the MLS sheet. Look for your home on Realtor.com and other websites. Pretend you are a buyer - would your home's ad draw you in? It's easier to tweak the marketing in the beginning before too many potential buyers have passed you over.
I am a full service, full time career Realtor. I specialize in Residential resale representing both buyers & sellers. I enjoy assisting and educating my clients to create a fantastic experience!!
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2008 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
It still amazes me the number of agents who skip photos or add really bad photos. I've enjoyed the blogs with the bad MLS photo of the day.
Some of that I recall are:
Athol Kay
Shaun McLane
Norm Fisher
I know there are lots more. I was pleased to get a recent kudo from the folks at VFlyer for one of my photos. I guess if we keep good photos a secret and we promote ours to sellers then hopefully more sellers will realize the value in what we do.
We get fined if we don't put on at least 6 photos but it amazes me at the bad photography I see on MlS.
By the way I am originally from Wichita and my husbands family is still there so we are back several times a year.
Melissa,
I am always amazed to see all the listings with no photos. Sometimes even high priced listings have no photos - it makes no sense to me but it happens all the time.
Melissa
I am with you here. Its makes not sense why agents don't put the max number of photos in MLS. In the Charlotte MLS we can only put 8. That takes about 3 minutes to upload once you have taken the pictures. This is what gets peoples attention to get them in the house. Great point.
Thanks
Melissa,
Sometimes I put less than the maximum photos because the house does not warrant them. I want enough photos to attract buyers. Not scare them away or help them to make a decision without seeing. But your points are all valid.
I too am a former professional photographer. Though I did mainly sports and lived in DC at the time. Wecome to the rain. I'll keep you in mind for referrals to the Wichita area.
In our MLS we have to put a minimum of 6 photos. There's a maximum of 16 and try to get the max every time. I can't stand it when agents will take one photo and list it six times. Tell me how that is going to get buyers interested in the home?
Chris ~ Absolutely! Some photos just scare buyers away or due to the poor photography, they just don't give an accurate portrayal of the property.
David ~ I agree - especially when it's a front photo from several angles.