Why Professional Property Photos Help Sell Your Home

Professional property photography is a key marketing tool that helps to sell a home. Virtually all property searches begin online and images are undoubtedly the first point of reference for prospective buyers. High-quality, representative photos are crucial to capturing a buyer’s attention, especially when most buyers decide to view a property in as little as 3 seconds.

With amazing photos, buyers will take the time to look at the floorplan, read through the particulars and ultimately book a viewing. For sellers, professional photography attracts as many viewers as possible. It plays a significant role in driving viewings and generating competition, which increases the chance of achieving a great sale price.

Is professional photography still relevant in the age of smartphones?

Nowadays, most people have a smartphone with a good camera so isn’t this a good substitute for professional photographs?

The short answer: no. When it comes to selling property, a professional photographer will do a lot more than take amazing photos – though they’ll do that too!

6 ways professional photography helps sell your home

1. State-of-the-art equipment

Professional photographers use state-of-the-art equipment and wide-angle lenses to capture high-calibre images. These wide-angle shots replicate how the human eye naturally scans a room and help buyers to create a mental picture of the space. 

2. Industry experience and expertise

Professional photographers shoot several homes a day and are experts in what sells a property. From choosing the perfect angle and highlighting a home’s best attributes, to working with difficult light and weather conditions: a professional property photographer will make every home look its very best. 

3. High-quality editing

Professional photography goes hand-in-hand with professional editing. High-quality editing can fix issues like poor light conditions, glare and reflections. It can enhance blue skies and sunsets, crop out unsightly items like wheelie bins or litter, and highlight the best features of a property.

4. Authenticity

Representativephotographyis crucial. Nothing puts buyers off more than a property that looks completely different in real life than on screen. A professional photographer will choose the best angles and use editing techniques to maximise a home’s appeal, but won’t distort the facts.

5. Speed and efficiency

Speed and efficiency shouldn’t be underestimated. A professional photographer can shoot a three-bedroom detached home (and sketch a floorplan with measurements) in less than 2 hours. This, coupled with swift post-production, means a property can be ready for the market within just a few days.

6. High-res imagery

Print media is on the decline across the board, and the same is true for marketing schedules. Nowadays properties for sale are largely viewed on a phone, tablet or computer screen so razor-sharp, high-resolution images are essential. 

Is professional property photography expensive?

Sellers can expect to pay a fee for professional photography as part of a marketing package and this package can be tailored to suit a variety of needs and budgets i.e. a small package for a one-bedroom flat or a large package for a three-bedroom detached house. This usually includes a digitally-rendered floorplan, professionally-written copy and graphic design.

Cost is a major factor when selling a property, but cutting corners in marketing can be a false economy. Sellers understandably want to maximise the proceeds from a sale, but professional photography is proven to increase interest in a property, generate competition and boost the sale price achieved.

How to prepare for a professional photoshoot

Preparing a property for a professional photoshoot is a lot like preparing your home for guests. In addition to a thorough clean and tidy, be sure to:

• De-clutter and de-personalise all rooms
• Open blinds and curtains to maximise natural light
• Clear the sink and remove laundry from the machine
• Hide toiletries, cleaning products and bins
• Remove any trace of pets e.g. food bowls, beds etc.

Remember to improve your home’s kerb appeal as well. Follow our handy tips on How to Add Kerb Appeal and increase the chance of selling your home. 

For more expert advice on professional property photography and selling your home, contact NEST Estate Agents on 01324 228299 or info@nest-estateagents.co.uk

How to Add Kerb Appeal with 7 Easy DIY Tips

In today’s competitive housing market, the importance of kerb appeal cannot be underestimated. Maximise kerb appeal and you can maximise home viewings and the potential for a successful sale. These 7 easy DIY tips to add kerb appeal are designed to do just that: to help sellers boost the chances of a sale by making the best first impression.

What is kerb appeal?

Kerb appeal is how attractive a property looks when viewed from outside, and plays a significant role in a home’s desirability and eventual sale. After all, first impressions are always important.

According to Rightmove, buyers take on average just 3 seconds to decide whether a property is worth viewing or not. Maximise kerb appeal to be on the right side of that statistic.

Top 7 DIY tips to boost kerb appeal

These 7 DIY tips don’t take long to implement but will certainly add significant kerb appeal to any property.

1. Clean the windows

With all the focus on clean and uncluttered interiors, windows (and doors) are often overlooked. Yet, grimy windows set alarm bells ringing for buyers, who will wonder what lurks beneath! On the other hand, windows that sparkle and gleam, inside and out, boost kerb appeal. Invest in a window vacuum or tackle this job with a bit of elbow grease. Doing so, will:

• Show that every aspect of the home has been cared for
• Indicate routine property maintenance
• Allow more natural light into the property

2. Tend to the front garden

Naturally, front gardens add significantly to kerb appeal, but they do need to be well tended. Give buyers the right first impression and they will be more likely to be drawn inside. Be sure to:

• Fix any issues, from a squeaky gate, to a temperamental doorbell
• Mow the lawn and tidy up flowerbeds
• Trim and tidy hedges
• Rake up fallen leaves
• Create a clear path to the front door

Planters or hanging baskets are also an easy and cost-efficient way to add a splash of colour to the front garden. Here are some handy tips on hanging baskets from the Royal Horticultural Society.

3. Lighting

Good lighting gives buyers a warm welcome, especially in the winter. Replace porchlight bulbs for maximum brightness (ideally with an LED bulb) and clean light shades. Affordable and effective, adding solar-powered post lights, placed in the ground or in planters, can be an eye-catching way to boost a home’s kerb appeal.

4. Paths and paving

High-traffic areas like garden paths, driveways and paving can become weathered and worn over time. Use a pressure washer to banish unsightly marks and to return surfaces to their original colour. A pressure washer can be hired for as little as £20 a day and can help prevent mould or moss growth, keeping outdoor areas in tip-top condition for longer. Alternatively, a scrubbing brush and warm water will also work wonders.

5. Front door facelift

Much like dirty windows, a scruffy front door does not inspire confidence. Whilst modern uPVC or composite doors are easily refreshed with warm soapy water, older doors can be revived with a fresh coat of paint. Take inspiration from Farrow & Ball’s Favourite Front Doors and stand out from the competition. 

6. Banish the bins

Modern wheelie bins are practical, but they are not visually appealing. Whilst it is possible to personalise them with cheerful covers, wheelie bins are generally best kept hidden. If possible, store them out of sight at the side or rear of the property, or invest in a wheelie bin screen or storage. 

7. Be a good neighbour

Prospective buyers will look beyond boundary walls and so should sellers. Start by keeping the pavements outside your home litter-free and contact the council about any overflowing bins or bulky waste. There may be a fee to pay, but it’s a small price for a good first impression. Why not ask neighbours if they’d like their front gardens tidied and hedges trimmed too? A little extra thought and effort can go a long way and a well-maintained street certainly increases the kerb appeal of the individual properties on it.

For more expert advice on adding kerb appeal or selling your home, contact NEST Estate Agents on 01324 228299 or info@nest-estateagents.co.uk