Point and shoot just doesn't cut it anymore

One of Amy Chorew’s missions in life is to “rid the world of bad real estate photos.”

Chorew, a trainer and coach based in Connecticut, spoke at the Triple Play REALTORS® Convention in Atlantic City last week and said, “Photos are the most important aspect for consumers searching for a home.”

She said since consumers find homes on web sites, it’s very important to create online appeal. “The number one thing consumers want to see is photos,” Chorew added.

Chorew recommended purchasing a good digital camera and learning how to use it properly. “If you don’t know how to use it, take a digital photography class at a local community college or shadow a professional photographer. It’s worth the money,” Chorew advised.

Consumers want to see at least 15 photos of a home but the more the better. For the best photos, stage the home for the camera by utilizing the natural lighting. Add additional lighting if the photos do not feature the home’s best assets.

Chorew recommended:

• Start at the entrance of the house and lead the consumer throughout the property
• Imagine the house through the eyes of the buyer
• Purchase high-end home magazines and study the photos
• If the price of the home is more than $350,000, hire a professional photographer.

“REALTORS® aren’t in charge anymore, so get over it. With a click of the mouse, a consumer can leave one REALTOR’s® site if it’s not appealing and hop onto another one,” Chorew said.

Since consumers are in control of which sites they view, Chorew added, “Yours needs to be the best.”