…where levity gives rise to serious advice on the power of real estate listing photos.
Today’s home buyer starts his/her search on the Internet. When selling, make sure that pictures of your home flatter, not fail.
For fun – and awareness – we’ll periodically showcase some of the worst real estate listing photos found on the Web. In addition, I will add my (slightly sarcastic) impressions, thoughts, and (serious) fixes for these (regretful) listing pictures.
Before staging, this Stratford, CT, home is listed for 5 months.
Hiding Assets
This is the actual listing picture from a vacant home we staged back in 2008. It’s no wonder the owners were having trouble selling.
The best architectural feature in the home – the fireplace – is hidden behind what appears to be garbage. It begs the question, why would the photographer hide this room’s best feature behind clutter?
The Fix
This one is simple – and pretty obvious. Staging with furniture is ideal – and these clients do that as you’ll see below – but even without furniture, here are some simple fixes.
- Take a look at the photos during the photo shoot to be sure that there is at least one good picture of each space. Sometimes issues – especially clutter – are more noticeable in photos.
- Remove or hide all clutter from the room.
- Remove all dead plants. It’s obvious enough that the home is vacant, but we don’t want it to feel neglected too. Dead or dying plants will leave that impression.
- While we’re making simple fixes, how about taking down the window treatments – for an updated look – and to reveal the sliding glass doors, natural light and views.
After staging, home sells in first listing week.
What do you think?
Am I being too critical or not critical enough? Add your captions and comments by leaving a reply below.
If you come across an awful but fun listing picture, please email it to me for a future installment of Caught on Camera. (All submissions will remain anonymous to protect the innocent.)
