Patch Blog: How Important Are Photos When Selling a Home?

There's a big difference between listing a home and selling a home.  Nowhere is this more evident than on the Internet, which has evolved into an excellent advertising medium. 

Consider that right now you're reading this because of the popularity of the internet today. When combined with newspapers, real estate magazines, direct mail, and other marketing tools, the World Wide Web can play a large role in exposing your home to potential buyers.

Pick up any newspaper and you'll notice that the real estate section has dwindled. While sellers tend to want the "old school" advertising included in the agent's marketing efforts, it's still the Internet that attracts the most number of interested buyers. Print advertising has taken a back seat to websites such as Realtor.com, Trulia, RedFin, and others, which is why it is so important to have your house in as many places on the Web as possible.

Before the internet age, buyers found their agent first, who then helped them find the house of their dreams.  Today, it's quite the opposite.  Most buyers begin their search online to educate themselves about neighborhoods and to locate homes in their price range. Recent statistics from the National Association of Realtors show that number could be over 90% of buyers.   While the listing exposes your home, it does not sell your home.  Once buyers have targeted some attractive possibilities, they still turn to a qualified real estate agent to represent their best interests as they plan their purchase, but most of the time it's after they have done their initial search.

Talk in detail with your agent about your home's online presence, and get some ideas from current offerings on the brokerage's website.  You can ask to preview your online listing, and in many cases, they'll be able to offer a "virtual tour" of your property.  Be sure to ask your agent for a list of all the sites where your property will be featured.  Many agents will even purchase a domain name with the property address so buyers can go directly to a dedicated website showing details and photos of your home.  If your agent doesn't have the web on their marketing strategy, it may hinder your chances of finding just the right buyer. 

More and more buyers are taking advantage of this powerful marketing tool.  Sellers should also take full advantage by making sure their agent uses their skills and tools to put their home in the spotlight by presenting it in warm and bright full color photos and video. Most good agents have professional photographers as part of their team, who will be able to emphasize the space and feature your home in its best possible light. While photos are just one part of the selling process, they certainly make your house more appealing when buyers can take a peak online before seeing it in person.