Do you think about what you're trying to sell when you take pictures of the house you have listed? I always think, "Does this picture convey what a buyer is interested in?"
What is this agent or seller trying to sell? Are you selling this treadmill? Does it work? How old it is? Did you try to sell it on Craigslist and it didn't sell so you thought you would include it in the sale of the home?
Oh, I know, you're trying to sell that lamp. It looks like it should be in an antique shop. How old is that thing? Does it have a switch to allow three light levels?
Maybe you're trying to sell the beam holding the ceiling up. That's a mighty strong beam, and it looks to be freshly painted. But it's hard to tell because the picture is AWFUL! It's not clear, it's not in focus, it's not showing anything that a buyer would be interested in.
Here are some other examples:
Does the mirror come with the wallpaper?
I'm not sure my daughter would like this bedspread if it's coming with the house. It looks a bit scary... I assume the agent isn't trying to sell room size as it looks to be the size of a closet.
Let's see, on this one, I bet the agent is trying to sell the house with the dog. No? The dog looks friendly enough. It's even greeting someone at the front door. I think that's the front door. Maybe it's the back door and the dog is trying to get out to go to the bathroom. I hope that agent had his pooper-scooper with him.
These are just some examples I found while going through the MLS yesterday. I take pride in the pictures I provide for my sellers as I know the first impression is the biggest impression. Do any of these pictures make someone want to jump in their car and go see the house the first day on the market before any other buyers? I should have noted the number of days on market for each of these listings, but I didn't.
Sellers, did you approve these pictures for your listing? I really hope not. Please ask your agent to take new pictures.
Please, if you have pictures like these for your listings, please please remove them! I rather see 10 pictures of the exterior from different angles than picture of the interior that make the house look horrible.
Agents just doing what they do best and take lots of bad pictures. You wonder why sellers put up with it.
I wonder if the sellers ever actually see the pictures that go into the MLS. And I think many of them are just to nice to say "Hey, those pictures really suck!"
Great advice! Have a great weekend.
Donna,
Good post, I brought in a professional and she took pictures for over 20 minutes at one of my listings, problem being only 7 came out and I could have taken those. My sellers were not impressed what so ever.
I bought a new camera and will take my own pictures from now on...
Gene, Your comment is quite crass and rude. As an Agent, that is not what I do best. As my blog above states, many agents and sellers don't care how they present the properties, but this is not all agents.
Paul, Because I also create visual tours, it usually takes me about 45 minutes to take pictures. I can't believe a professional could only get 7 good shots. I hope you got your money back!
Terrie, I always send my sellers the MLS detail sheet so they can see exactly what the buyers will see. In all my 8 years, I've only had one seller ask to have new pictures, and they wanted to take them themselves. They sent them to me, and we had to have a long talk about why I would not use their pictures, and they finally agreed. They sent me a picture of a big screen TV because they wanted people to see how large the wall space was. They sent me a picture of artwork on the wall because it showed the house wasn't just a clean-slate with no paint on the walls. I had to explain that I wasn't selling their TV or their artwork, and they finally understood that.
I would like the post in the middle from the first photo - LOL - I have recently seen many very blurry photos as well... I was wondering if the photographer had started their weekend early :)
Rita and Brian, I'll get my saw and cut that down for you. That'll be $117,000. I do not accept checks.
Great post and I think we all owe it to our sellers to have either professional photos taken or if we are good at it ourselves as many agents are good quality shots taken.
What infuriates me even more though is a property that has been on the MLS for several days and still showing no photos, why would someone do that to their sellers, unless it is an awful house.
I used a professional photographer a couple of times and I was just not impressed. I thought I took better photos than the professional did.
I'm a firm believer in good photos because THAT, combined with LOTS of exposure are what get that home sold! I did have a client one time that took their own photos and did photoshop to enhance the brightness, but they were the exception!
Great post Donna, and a topic you will find on many of the home staging blogs. As a home stager, I take a lot of pictures after I have done everything I can to make the room look its absolute best. As you pointed out, a lot of MLS photos seem to be selling the furnishings or decor and not the property.
I take photos from every corner and angle using a wide angle lens, and take two shots of every angle (with flash and without). I then provide the best pictures to the agent and home seller for their marketing purposes. I find that most realtors just don't have the luxury of time when taking pictures and the properties are not always "at their best" during the realtor's visit.
Over 80% of buyers now shop the internet before looking at properties and your properties will never get shown if there aren't a lot of good photos.
Donna, we agree with you its crazy and how about when they take the pictures with the toilet seat up.?
We help our clients stage the home as part of our service and we take our own pictures so that we know what the outcome will be. We think that this is one of the reasons that we sell 43% of our listings.
thank you for reminding us that a camera isn't like a human eye -- it doesn't gloss over things, and see the whole picture!
Great post. I also wondered why people publish pictures with the toilet seat up and have even seen toilet pictures that were even less pleasant. Maybe you could do a follow-up post with exceptionally good photos.
Rita, Yes, not having pictures upon listing is ranked way high up on that list as well.
Ron, Not that this is knew news, but I'm a control freak, so I take my own pictures so I can see right then and there is I have a good picture, or if I need to retake some right on the spot. Photoshop is good for adjusting light.
Anita, I stage my own listings, and try to get before and after pictures. Most of my listings have over 100 pictures taken, so I have enough to make sure the tour looks nice along with the still photos.
Patty and Scott, I also stage as part of my service. I can't stand that toilet seat up, gross!
Li, Good way of putting it.
Steve, I'll have to do that, but it'll be another day. I'll post the blog here when I do it.
LOL - I read the title to your post and my mind went somewhere else entirely! I thought the post was going to be about those agents that use Glamor Shots or something for their photos. I've seen quite a few very provocative photos and have asked the same question: What are you selling?
Thanks for sharing those pictures. That's pretty funny. Sellers should monitor their agents work sometimes.
I still don't believe the clients ever see these photos. I'll take the dog, but they can keep the house. :)
Wendy, Yes, those Glamour Shots are hideous!
John, You would think...
Doreen, Yeah, the dog is cute isn't it?
Donna, if anything the photos are a big turnoff in selling the house. You make a very good point.
Donna I appreciate the humor in your post!
Well done! And sooooo true!
It is so important to try and get good photos - since so many buyers first see a home on line through the photos.
I always run across one photo a day and ask myself "Why is this photo in here". Usually it hurts the listing more than it helps if there is a bad picture Ill skip that link to send to clients.
What great comments! Your examples of bad pictures are terrific - you only left out photos of bathrooms. (I think most bathrooms have toilets these days, but I'm still surprised at how many pictures show up in MLS displaying the john!)
One other thought about photos - I'm in a waterfront/resort-second home area. Often agents forget to take a picture of the waterfront (and that IS what we're selling) - or else their photograph implies a better view than actually exists. So, it's a good idea to show the exterior features without "stretching the truth!"
I agree, better to use only exterior photos than bad interior shots. And with some sellers, good interior shots are an impossibility. In some parts of the country staging hasn't caught on - sellers can see no reason for it. And they also can see no reason to put away all their clutter, wash the windows, paint the front door, or any of the other things that would help their agent sell the house.
I know this, because I worked for 19 years in one of those parts. Even getting decent exterior photos was sometimes a challenge. (Helps if ya mow the lawn, folks!)
We had several sellers who wouldn't even clear the past week's worth of dirty dishes from the counters when they knew we were coming.
So, perhaps the agents with the offending photos need only to learn to use exteriors only - or to somehow find a way to convince sellers that staging DOES matter. Or - do what I finally did. Refuse to take listings when the seller was bound and determined to prevent interest in the home.
Guess being tired of this struggle was another part of the reason why I quit selling and switched to writing the copy that helps other agents sell. (I was also tired of searching for missing septic tanks, but that's another story.)
Best luck with those photos!
Marte Cliff
writer@marte-cliff.com
Photos are extremely important. I've read that listings with multiple photos get more attention than those with none or few. On the other hand- BAD photos do a huge injustice to the property owners and the agent too!
Good info !
Hi Donna Harris - I remember you! I'm glad to see the "Subscribe to My Blog" button idea has survived - although I think my graphic needs some updating as part of my return!
Donna, I loved your tongue-in-cheek humor!! It was a great post to read and it gave us some truly useful information!! When I first starting flipping houses, I did my own photos too. I thought they were pretty good, but then a savvy realtor pointed out some points to me and I have improved immensely.
A good realtor should take, or hire someone to take, exceptional photos. That is part of their service! If they don't, I don't care how nice they are - find someone to do it and charge your realtor!!
I stage homes and I have to do my job well - if I don't, I don't get recommendations.
Nice post (and I don't mean the beam post). All so true. Sometimes I have a great deal of problems just trying to get the sellers to clean up and de-clutter prior to pictures. You kind of have to wonder if they really want to sell.
This was great post ! I love the treadmill and the lamp.... maybe the agent is really trying to say .... look at this room.... I can fit a lot of junk here. lol Once I went to see a house that had bad pictures because it was so cheap. All I could see was some junk and some red carpet . It turned out to be a diamond in the rough with mountain and city light views ,,,,, I think havin pics with whaterver views the house might have would be alot of help.
Let's face it, some people just don't have an eye for a good picture.... I hope they have other skills to compensate.
Gary, Thank you.
Allison, I try, thanks!
Bob and Carolin, Exactly!
DeAndrea, Only one?
Toni, Yes, I can be a hoot! Glad you took instruction well and now take good pictures.
Marte, I won't take a listing that I can't sell, and if the seller can't even put their dishes away, no listing for me. I don't get paid until it sells and if I can't sell it, I make the same amount as if I turn it down in the first place... except I would be in the hole.
Mott, I completely agree.
InsuranceCEO, Thanks.
Tony, Yeah, I don't really like my graphic, but I haven't found a good one I like that someone else isn't already using. Welcome back.
Debbie, Tongue-in-cheek?!?! Just kidding... Thank you, and yes, it's all about further referrals.
Gabe, That's when you give them a deadline and let them know you will not list it without pictures being taken, and you will be at the house at such and such for pictures. I've only had 2 sellers not ready on the date I came back, even though they told me on my confirmation that they were ready for me... yeah, ok. Some need their hands held a little more than others.
Elena, Maybe you could walk on the treadmill while enjoying those views?
Georgina, Usually not... if they're sloppy in their pictures, they're probably sloppy in their contract writing too.
After ten years of shooting commercially... I hired someone for one of my listings... and she shot better than me. It isn't about ego, it is about delivering the best product for the client.
And those pictures suck.
Donna:
Thanks for your thoughtful post article here about photos and marketing.
Harrison K. Long, Explore Properties group, Irvine, CA
Donna....it IS amazing the pictures some of us will use. My favorites are the ones of a building in pre construction (rendition) and the building has now been finished for TWO YEARS!!! Hello?
Blurry pictures such that you can't tell what the picture is....there is all kinds. I just took a digital photo class from our MLS and it gave me some good tips. Always more to learn. And geez, if the pictures don't turn out, you can delete them and take again, no expense necessary!
I absolutely agree with you and could probably find 10 photos pretty darn quick in our own MLS that would be just as horrific as these, or worse. I know we can all find some that are worse. I must say that the funniest overview of awful photos along with commentary is this guy, Norm Fisher, in Canada. Everyone once in a while, when I need a good laugh, I go watch it again. You can find the link on the page I linked to here. I usually laugh so hard it makes me cry. Although I'm sure I don't cry as much as the sellers who allowed these awful photos to meet the light of the internet screen.... :(
Lane, It's always good when we can feel humble, for a minute.
Harrison, You're welcome.
Thom and Ray, Yes, those builder pictures are annoying. Go spend 2 seconds and put the completed picture in the system!
Reba, That was funny, thanks!
Classic pics!!! Great post---
I agree. If you can't take pictures that will show the best features of the home, hire a professional. And if you don't like that person's work, find another one. Photos sell, and without decent photos, many agents simply won't take their buyers to your listing. There are too many to choose fro mthat can be previewed on MLS. And I doubt if many sellers ever see their MLS listing and don't know how bad some of them are. Recently I pulled up one that had one photo, and it was of the front of the house, I think. There was a great big bush that took up 3/4 of the picture, and the house was allegedly behind it.
I am usually pretty upset when an agent doesn't post any pictures of a listing but there may be a good reason to not post them. ugly is as ugly does.
Hi Donna... I have been looking for a sofa with an attached treadmill like the one in your photo! Will it be for sale at the garage sale next weekend??? :)
Donna - great post...isn't it amazing what agents focus on in their pictures of their listings? I always love the ones that show all the clutter in a room; do they not realize what that buyers actually look at the photos?
Really Great Post! I will be using this-thanks!!
Donna,
Good Realtors love houses. Not all of them are great with cameras. I'd love to think that the ones who aren't hire a professional
When I was just an assistant to a listing agent, I would set out with the office's lend-out camera - I think it was an ELF with the floppy disks you had to insert to save on - gosh, that was only 2004!
The idealist in me wants to say that any agent would take extreme pride in the photos, as they are a reflection of his interest in selling the property and his level of professionalism as well as his concern for the business that is his bread and butter!
There is a term used in many art mediums - it is called COMPOSITION. I think point and shoot cameras sometimes take away from the concept of only seeing what is revealed through the lens. A local colleague, Jack LeVine, created his top ten worst MLS photos this year and I was amazed at the results!
Thanks for the great post!
Donna - I have seen some of the most terrible photos on MLS listings and I will agree with you 100% on this post. Thank you for the reminder.
On a positive note.... reject agents like this make us shine that much brighter!
Thank you! I agree 100% ... I strongly urge any serious agent to invest in a wide angle camera and a tripod. Then, ask the camera store employee how to take a nice picture of a room -- they're always happy to help.
Personally, I have fun showing sellers "other agents" photos and the importance of my property preparation plan.
Best regards,
Mike
Donna, whew. I have a house such as this one too. You simply can't see the walls for all the junk. I don't necessarily like trying to sell empty homes either but at least you can see beyond the "stuff". Thanks for this and I wanted to let you know I missed you at the Austin get together. Another time!
Later in the rain~Deb
Donna, whew. I have a house such as this one too. You simply can't see the walls for all the junk. I don't necessarily like trying to sell empty homes either but at least you can see beyond the "stuff". Thanks for this and I wanted to let you know I missed you at the Austin get together. Another time!
Later in the rain~Deb
Emily, Thanks.
Susan, I can't believe agents aren't showing their sellers. I do it not just to have their approval on the description and such, but as my way of saying, here's your listing, you're listed.
Michael, Yes, but even ugly deserves some type of representation.
Steve, Make an offer!
Lori, Some just thinks it makes it look like the room can hold a hold and that should be good, but it's not.
Cathy, Thank you.
Denise, Yeah, I used to use a camera that we could sign out for at the front desk... that was 2001-2002... then I started dated my now husband and he gave me his old one when he bought a new one. Man, it weighed like 10 pounds! I'm due for a new one at the moment, and I've been trying to figure out which one to get...
Robert, Thank you. I always love it when someone agrees 100%!
Greg, True, very true.
Mike, Showing sellers other pictures on appts is a grand idea, thanks! I show my staging photos, but hadn't thought about showing other people's horrible photos compared to mine.
Deb, I'll be in Austin soon enough (tomorrow actually) and I hope I don't miss the next one.
Oh, we all see the lovely photos. I love the ones with the agent in the mirror, those are my favorites.
Great reminder to take photos that well represent the home. This is especially valuable when homes are sitting on the market and need all of the best marketing efforts.
Exactly, I can't say it often enough how important photos are!
Cheers,
Cindy
Donna, are those real examples from your MLS? LOL It's really not that hard for agents to crop and color adust. I saw a virtual tour this week of a $400K home. I think it was beautiful, the pictures were so dark you couldn't appreciate the home.
Connie, Yes, those are real pictures, each from a different listing, so they're not all from the same house.
Cindy, Thank you.
Claudia, Exactly, thank you!
Todd, I almost put one of those in, but I'm saving it for another blog.
Donna- Yes we should take care in our presentation, asking the question what am a selling? when looking a the photos will help in our decision as to what shots to use.
I think people don't realize the value of good photos...they are what bring the buyers in...lighting is very important as is the clarity of the photo...who wants to see a dark fuzzy room? But how often do we see that? I realize its not a skill we are good at, but its one we need to have if we are taking our own photos...
Too funny but oh so real!
I have a wonderful professional photographer I use for my clients . He is willing to wait for "just a minute" as I gather up all the 'stuff' on the kitchen counters and move a floral arrangement to the table etc etc...I make him let me SEE the digital photos BEFORE we leeve the house so I am sure he saw the rooms MY WAY! He's the photographer but I am the Realtor. I LOVE the photo of the dog you posted! Just had a parrot that ruled the roost at my last listing so was hard to "capture it and the room's essence...You have reminded us that we need to be thinking how this will look if blown up the size of a big screen tv! If a Buyer actually is able to purchase a home oyu can guarantee they will be showing the world their new home bigger than life. A bit scary huh?
The first problem with most pictures I see they are taken with the wrong lens and lighting.
A wide angle lens works the best with house pictures. Most agents are not that sophisticated.
Richard
http://activerain.com/blogsview/693596/What-Are-You-Selling
Here's another one you might enjoy...