Most people are visual buyers, meaning that they are likely to purchase a product based on what they see. Research on The Psychology of Online Checkout found that 92.6% of consumers believe that visuals are the top influential factor affecting a purchase decision. 

The same thing applies to real estate properties. If you want to sell your home faster, you should attract prospective buyers with visuals — great photos of your place.

The truth is that most homebuyers begin their home search online, and listings without pictures often get overlooked or ignored. Adding well-taken photos to your listing can draw interest from potential buyers and convince them to visit your place. Here are six tips to help you take great photos that can make a big first impression. 

1. Level your photos

In photography, composition and framing are essential elements in creating a focused image, which draws your eye naturally to the main point of interest (your home). Leveling your photos means taking photographs at a height that best suits the contents within that room. In other words, shoot your photos with just enough balance of floor and ceiling as well as every little detail in the room to give homebuyers a better point of view of what it feels like to be in that part of the house.

2. Clean and declutter

Make your house look good in photos by ensuring that all clutter is tidied up before you take any photographs. That means scrubbing down every kitchen surface possible, including any rust or burned substances that make your stovetop look speckled.  

Remove anything in the living room besides furniture and light fixtures and clean every inch of the space. Don’t leave any of your personal belongings, and make sure they’re not in the photo. The purpose of listing photographs is to make a good impression, not turn off prospective buyers.

3. Stage your house

Staging your house highlights the function and beauty of your property, allowing buyers to easily imagine themselves living there by just looking at the photographs. Strategically place accessories such as plant decors or colorful throw pillows on plain corners or furniture to make the photo look more vibrant.

For bathrooms, you can set it up like a spa by putting fluffy bath rugs and folded white towels with lotions on a cart. Throw in some fresh flowers for some added color pop, and you have a picture-perfect bathroom right there.

4. Make it look spacious

Houses that seem like small boxes don’t appeal much to home buyers. So, make sure your property looks spacious in your photos. You can either use a camera with a wide-angle lens or get an angle that gives you the full view of your house. Using mirrors and decorating with restraint will also do the trick. 

5. Light should fill your home

When it comes to photography, lighting is everything. How you use natural light can make the difference between a professional listing photo from an amateur one. Take your photo early in the morning when the natural light is most radiant, then partially open your windows to allow them to fill your house. When taking it at night, make sure you turn on all the lights, including the exterior.

6. Don’t forget the exterior shots

Last but not least, don’t forget to take exterior shots. The outside of your property is equally important as the interior. So, try to get the best image possible and put your house in the best light. When taking photos during daylight, make sure the sun is shining directly onto the front of the property. Otherwise, it will look dull and colorless.

Conclusion

Real estate photography is a big help in selling your home faster, especially if you’re marketing your home online. You don’t have to be a professional photographer to take good photos. Nor do you need expensive, top-of-the-line cameras, although it helps to have one. You can follow these tips and make your home photo look as professional as possible.  

Ultimately, let your home photos speak on your behalf and make your prospective buyers see that your house is the right one for them.  

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