Last week we had the pleasure of guest blogging for Mark McDonough at texasmls.com. View the InfoGraphic below along with descriptions of the four sections, or read the full article with additional topic points: 8 reasons professional real estate photography is important to Realtors.

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1. How many buyers searched the Internet for a home?

In 2006, 80% of home buyers searched the Internet when looking for a home. Four years later, in 2010, the percentage of home buyers that searched the Internet when looking for a home jumped to 89%. Consumers are purchasing and becoming competent with more technology devices such as laptops, iPods, iPads, tablets and smart phones. These consumers are home buyers, and they want to shop online. Their trend is showing us that they recognize how useful technology is and therefore they are going to be better at noticing professional versus point-and-shoot photos.

With all of the competition on the market, it is important to have professional photos because they are your first, and maybe only impression, to the majority of buyers who are searching for homes on the Internet.

1 National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers 
www.realtor.org

2. How many more clicks do professional photos receive?

Using professional photos can draw more attention to your listings and result in more clicks by potential buyers. Papilios Real Estate Photography examined listings that used their photos and compared the click rates to listings both in the same MLS area and Zip Code. They found listings that utilized professional photos generated an average 139% increase in clicks compared to similar listings.

Although more clicks do not guarantee a sale, it does mean more potential buyers are viewing your listing. Reaching more buyers with your listing betters your chance of finding the right buyer.

2 Papilios Real Estate Photography with data supplied by Latter & Blum Research Division.

3. What percentage of homes sold were sold with photos from a professional camera vs point-and-shoot?

The Wall Street Journal published a graph to show that in the majority of price brackets, more homes sold that had photos from a professional camera compared to photos taken with a point-and-shoot. A professional camera can affect how a buyer looks at a listing and the benefits can be seen starting in the $300K price point. This data was obtained in bulk and therefore the image data was examined to see if a professional camera was utilized to take the photo. No consideration was taken to determine if a professional photographer was controlling the camera. Most likely if the data represented photos taken by a professional photographer, not just an image taken with a professional camera, the benefits would be even greater.

3 Published in The Wall Street Journal utilizing data presented by Redfin Corp. blogs.wsj.com/developments/2010/10/04/in-real-estate-a-picture-is-worth-1000-or-more/

4. What percentage of active listings use professional photos?

Unique Exposure Photography researched local MLS listings for Dallas, TX and Fort Worth, TX and made note of listings utilizing professional photos and listings that were represented with point-and-shoot photos. Overall, Dallas, TX is more progressive and about half of the local listings are marketed with professional photos. Around 32% of Fort Worth, TX listings are marketed with professional photos. As expected, the higher the listing price, the more likely professional photos are utilized.

If you are listing a home in a higher price bracket, you need to use professional photos to match the rest of your competition. If you are listing in a price bracket with little professional photography being used, take advantage and stick out from the competition by embracing professional photography.

4 Unique Exposure Photography examined 512 active MLS listings in the Dallas, TX area between July 30, 2011 and August 3, 2011. Also examined were 184 active MLS listings in the Fort Worth, TX area between July 30, 2011 and August 3, 2011.
  • Reply

    Ryan

    08 02 2013

    How ironic that SLR photos yield a higher sale price. I am just getting into DSLR video and if the case is made for pictures, I wonder what that means for the video tour industry

    • Reply

      Lance

      08 02 2013

      Good luck Ryan, video helps not only give the buyers additional content, but allows agents to stand out amongst the sea of others. Thanks for stopping by!

  • Reply

    Luxury Real Estate | Hawaii Life

    18 01 2014

    […] That 42% of buyers who find the home they will buy online are more likely to hone in on a listing that has been professionally photographed. Why? Visual psychology. Buyers’ online visual expectations are high and their attention span is short. With beautiful, professional images, your home is more likely to get attention than a home with photos shot from an iPhone or a point and click. Its a fact – 139% more likely. […]

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