Making photography affordable for “all” real estate listings

When it came to a career in photography I chose to specialize in the real estate market because I saw not only a need for affordable, quality photography, but I also realized that agents need a photographer who understands that it takes more than a few good photos to sell a house.

Most agents know that there are companies that provide high-end, big production photography services that look like a million dollars. I call them the "Big Bucks" companies. In a good percentage of the time your marketing budget is not going to afford you the necessary “set” of photos you need to effectively market the home from a company like this. The reason I stress “set” is because for the kind of money they charge, you can only get a handful of these great photos and still stay in your budget. But the truth is that a “handful” of good photos will not be enough to hook a potential buyer.

What I offer is not “Big Bucks” photography.

I acknowledge that in a good percentage of the time you don’t have the kind of budget, or need, for that type of service. So what I offer is a trained eye with knowledge of the real estate market that ends with quality, affordable photography. You will receive an “accurate and complete set” of photographs that will present a tour of your client’s home. This will give any potential buyer the amount of visual they’ll need to determine if the home could be the one for them. Call me 602-809-7710, Michelle

Let’s talk about the “fact” that a real estate listing IS the first impression for a home that is for sale

Pricing for MLF Photography & Design

MLF Photography & Design

MLF Photography & Design

So your client is ready to list their home?

Too much clutter

Or are they? A better question here would be, “is the home ready to be listed?” When it comes to marketing, you are either selling a product or a service. To your client you are selling a service, but to all the potential home buyers out there you are selling a product – the home. To get the most money for any product, you need to make it look its best, and worth the amount of money you’re asking for it.

Before you can shoot photos and put up the MLS listing the home needs to be prepared to be sold tomorrow. What I mean is that if you list this house, you may get an interested buyer who wants to look at it tomorrow. Therefore, to optimize the opportunity to sell “tomorrow” that house needs to look model ready. How great would it be to sell in one day? The sellers will think you’re amazing! Can you imagine the referrals a situation like that could potentially generate?!

Too personal

Depending on the homeowner’s and their tastes the staging process could take a weekend or it could take a few weeks. The sooner you address the preparation, the sooner you can get the home effectively listed. Sure you could rush to get the house listed in the condition it’s in, but you could also shoot yourself in the foot. Neither of those options sounds like a good idea. NEVER rush a listing, do it right. Your clients will thank you in the end.

If this process seems like a touchy matter for your sellers and you’re afraid it will jeopardize your relationship with them, or you simply don’t know where to start, you can hire me (either at your cost or the seller’s) to come in as the “authority” to deliver the necessary truths. I’ll be gentle, I promise.

If you'd like to know more about the process give me a call.

602-809-7710, Michelle

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What is a house?

It’s a structure to protect us from the elements, a place to keep our belongings and possessions safe, but it’s also a place to call “home”, a place to share a life with our special someone, a place to raise a family, a place to celebrate with friends and family, a place of security. It’s a place we all dream of having at one time or another in our life.

From a marketing perspective a home is a very interesting thing. Sure it’s a product you can see and touch, but it’s also an idea. So when you’re looking at how you are going to get this home ready to place on the market, don’t forget to not only look at what is visibly pleasing, but its functionality as well. You’ve got a diverse group of buyers out there which is why there is no reason you can’t sell “any” home. Buyers want to see how they are going to “live” in the home, which is why putting photos on the listing that show the home’s layout are important. Buyers have different needs and desires when buying a home. What works for one, may not work for another. But if you show the “whole” house, you have a better shot of reaching the “right” buyer.

Your main objective when preparing the home for listing is to get it clean, functioning and visually appealing to the majority. The first two are self-explanatory, but let me explain more about the third. When I say “visually appealing” some would think that I mean you need to upgrade items. That’s not necessarily the case. Yes, if there is an offending/obnoxious paint color on a wall then, sure, the sellers would want to paint it more neutral. If the tile in the home is outdated but neutral in color, then no, you may not need to upgrade. Upgrading high ticket items doesn’t mean you’re going to get a higher purchase offer. In these situations you need to consider the location, price point of the home and comparables. The objective is to have the home as “neutral” visually as possible. This is what will draw more potential buyers in. You’re going to have the buyers that want turn-key, and you’re going to have those who simply want to tweak it to their taste. The percentage is low for buyers who want to come in and completely remodel the average home that is on the market. Those buyers are usually looking for the homes that are listed well below market value. Those homes usually were not well maintained or updated for the times.

You can’t assume you know what the “right” buyer is looking for. This is why it is so important to show the entire home, not just the photos “you think” are important. You are just one type of demographic that is out there. If you do not fully list the home, you reduce your odds of reaching the “right” buyer. Let me help you sell the house by taking a “complete” set of photos for your listings.

602-809-7710, Michelle

Making your product stand out will be the key in the current market

4 signs you may be a real estate rainmaker | Inman News

So this article has nothing to do with what I do as a photographer and designer for the real estate market, but I did find it to be an inspiring article. Not everyone is born with the four qualities listed in this article, but there is opportunity to see if you can develop the first three. The last one, well no matter what role you play the last one is one you must master if you want to be able to develop the first three. Maybe you'll find this article inspiring as well.

Follow this link:
4 signs you may be a real estate rainmaker | Inman News

What makes a good real estate agent? And how do you know if “you” are one?

This isn’t scientific by any means. But let’s think about those questions…

…here are my thoughts.

To be a good agent you need to be able to market a home to be most appealing to the most people no matter what the house. I know that’s a pretty general statement, but I believe the truth is there. Just about every house you list will be similar to another house. But a good agent is going to have the owners clean it up, pack it up and stage it to look move-in ready. Then when it’s looking tip top, they are going to have an “accurate & complete” set of photos taken that show the home in its entirety. The agent will use these photos along with a well written description in there listing(s). These listings are going to give potential buyers a tour of the home while allowing them to “study” the home. Why is the word “study” important? Because during the “studying” the potential buyer is determining how they will live in the home, and in turn be imagining themselves in the home. Videos are nice for a tour, but photos allow more time for pondering. (This is why not just any photos will do.) The home preparation and the listing are what will get buyers to the home.

Another factor that I believe contributes to being a good agent is when an agent, first and foremost, puts the seller’s needs ahead of their own. Whether it’s the seller’s goal to sell quickly or for the most money, this concept does a few things. The seller won’t need to question whether you are convincing them to take the deal because it’s in your or their best interest. Seller’s need to feel they can trust their agent. Selling and buying a home can be a scary deal for some. When a seller feels they can trust you, they are more likely to talk good things about you and send referrals your way. Your reputation is based on how you do business, and a good portion of your business runs on referrals. Putting your seller’s needs and wants first is a good move for your long career as a real estate agent. Don’t underestimate the power of sincere kindness.

So the bigger question, how do you know if “you” are a good agent? At first, I thought, “I don’t know.” But truthfully, I think you just need to ask yourself if you are doing everything I've mentioned, or at least striving to do these things, and if you are, then I think you are on the right track. If you think you are and still have doubts, call me. We can talk about what you’re doing, and figure out if you can do it different or better.

602-809-7710, Michelle.

What do your listing photos say about your level of professionalism as a real estate agent?

Photos or no photos?

Photos of course!

 You’ve got a client who wants to sell their home. Now what? The goal is to sell the home fast and for the most money, right? How do you get this house noticed more than any other house that’s similar to it? First, you give the client your staging advice: de-clutter, de-personalize, and make it aesthetically friendly to the majority of who will see it. Then, you get a great set of photographs that show the house in its entirety. Next, you do your homework so that you can price it right. Lastly, you create your listing with the great set of photos I give you, and an informative description. Don’t expect to do all these things in a couple days. Realistically, you’re looking at approximately a week, or longer if the home needs extensive “polishing”.

With that all said…NEVER post a listing without photos! Or sub-par photos for that matter. This is a common mistake I see made daily by agents. Here’s one reason why you shouldn’t do it...Some buyers only pay attention to “new listings”. And if your “new listing” doesn’t have images for them to view, they are going to move on. And when you do finally add photos, your listing won’t be new and that buyer will assume they’ve already looked at it. So they won’t bother to click on it. The point is, don’t rush to put out incomplete product packaging. Your marketing strategy is just as important as the product itself. If your marketing isn’t well thought out and complete, you risk cutting down the number of potential buyers that see your product.

I can help you with both the staging consultation and the photographs. Call me and I will help you make your listing stand out. 602-809-7710, Michelle.

Pricing for MLF Photography & Design