Indianapolis Area Real Estate Blog

Pictures - A Homebuyers Inside Look!


My daughter was sitting with me at the computer one night, looking at homes on the MLS. She and her husband are thinking about buying a new home, maybe getting something a little bigger. When we came to a home with no pictures,

I would stop to read the info - does it have a basement, square foot, bedrooms, etc. She said, 'forget it, why don't people post pictures with these homes'? Her question was valid! I had to tell her I honestly have no idea. She knows I tote my camera everywhere and am perplexed at the absence of pictures in the Indianapolis MLS.

Now I know there may be a few homes on the market, where, there is no way around it, you just can't get a good interior shot. I think at least one good shot of the front, some idea about the home should be given. I'm not even sure they have to be the best photos and you don't have to be a professional photographer (I'm not). But good photos with a digital camera are fairly easy.

Gone are the days of waiting for your pictures. I can easily take a 100 photos and delete those which did not turn out. Experience tells me the consumer just passes by the homes with no photos. Having photos definately increases the odds a buyer will stop to look at the home. If you can get them to stop for a minute, they may take time to read the info. Hey, they may even decide a personal tour is in order so they can see more.

I am a firm believer in marketing with multiple photos, Real Estate Shows and on multiple websites. You never know where the buyer may be searching when they find my clients home. One thing for sure, they will find photos, as many as I can post! When your selling your Indianapolis home, give the buyers an inside look!

Discussion

#1 By Ashley Drake Gephart - ABQ Homes at 8/18/2007 11:11 PM

I have been looking through the expired listings and sure enough lack of photos are one of the issues. What really amazes me though is the million dollar + homes and no photos? Does the seller ever look on the Internet and if so what do they think? I agree post as many photos in as many places to capture the buyer for the listing.

#2 By Lynda Eisenmann at 8/20/2007 0:09 PM

Hi Paula,
You are so right. It's said that properties with 5 or more photos are view more often and longer than those without any photos at all!

#3 By Paula Henry at 8/21/2007 1:45 PM

Having photos in the MLS and on multiple websites provides buyers an inside look at the home. There are definately some BAD pictures published. I send my sellers a direct link to each website their home is published.

#4 By Missy Caulk at 8/22/2007 2:05 PM

I will never in a million years understand why Realtors do such a disservice to their sellers by not having pictures. The more pictures and a VT the better.

#5 By Joanne Hanson at 8/23/2007 5:50 PM

Photos can make or break a listing. Virtual tours of some sort are a necessity. Without them, the listing often doesn't even show up in home searches on places like Realtor.com.

#6 By Karen Rice, Pike County PA Real Estate at 8/27/2007 2:13 PM

Absolutely, I agree! I posted a similar blog on Active Rain - only there are some sellers who refuse to let the inside of their home be photographed for whatever reason.

Okay, well, let your home sit on the market for a year while the other 600 homes just like yours get a better shot at being sold cause the buyers can see the pictures online...lol

#7 By Paula Henry at 8/27/2007 6:56 PM

Missy - I also do not understand! I have been in some beautiful homes which had no pictures. It is truly a disservice!

#8 By Paula Henry at 8/27/2007 6:57 PM

JoAnne - Bad pictures or no pictures have the same effect. buyers pass over them looking for the best to preview.

#9 By Paula Henry at 8/27/2007 6:59 PM

Karen - I know some do not want their homes photographed. The truth is, without photographs you end up with less showings and with photographs, the showings are usually from more imnterested people.

Post a Comment

Blog Archives

Posts By Category

All Categories Buyer Resources (59) Community News (37) Home and Family (36) Home Maintenance Tips (14) Homeowners (34) Homes for Sale | Listings (25) Indianapolis Things to Do (62) Indy Photo Spot (5) Lifestyle Communities (4) Local Indy (42) Market Statistics (87) Mortgage News and Info (49) Parks and Recreation (12) Random Thoughts (19) Real Estate News (73) Real Estate Terms (15) Relocation Tips (8) Seller Information (41) Upcoming Events (3)

Posts By Month

Blog Roll

Homes in Hendricks County
Grab Our RSS Feed
New Listing Alerts

Be one of the first to know when new listings matching your criteria hit the market.

Get New Listings
Relocation Guide

Find your next home and learn about neighborhoods, current market statistics, and local schools.

Free Relocation Guide
Free Market Analysis

Our free service provides you with a detailed estimate of your home's current market value.

Get a Free Market Analysis