by Adrian Amos
Whether in magazine ads or online, pictures now act as an “open house” for home shoppers. The photo you feature is most likely the first time a homebuyer will see your listing – this may be your one chance to make an impression and capture their interest.
Just like you stage the inside for an open house or virtual tour/video shoot, remember to stage the outside too by removing miscellaneous items and yard debris. It’s also a good idea to schedule the photo after a landscaper has been there – or at least cut the grass.
Here are some tips to show any home at its best:
- Get out of the car to take the picture
- Take several pictures from multiple angles
- Make sure cars are not in the shot
- Twilight is a great time to capture good lighting. Turn the outside lights on and hose down the driveway for a reflective-effect
- Look into free photo editing software that can help your photo like Picnik, Picasa or Gimp
This one photo may be the key to getting traffic to your listing online or in person. Even if the house is “drive-by ready,” your commission could be riding on how well this house looks photographed.
