A buyer's agent told me my listing photos were 'depressing' and I almost cried

I took all my own photos for my first two listings. Thought they were fine. But this agent pulled me aside and said the dark shadows and cluttered countertops made the house look 'like a hoarder's garage sale.' She was right. I spent $150 on a photographer with better lighting and staging tips. After that, the same house got 3 offers in the first weekend. Anyone else had to swallow their pride on something basic like photos?

3 comments

3 Comments

morgan31627d ago

The whole lighting thing is a game changer and nobody tells you that upfront. I had a similar wake up call with my first listing where everything looked warm and cozy in person but in photos it just looked dark and cramped. A realtor friend finally told me to take photos during the golden hour and stage the countertops with basically nothing on them. It felt so stupid spending money on something I thought I could do myself but the difference was night and day. Once I got professional shots the showings doubled easy. People really do judge a house in that first split second scroll and bad photos tank your whole momentum before you even get a foot in the door.

wood.john27d agoMost Upvoted

Yeah that split second scroll is everything now. First impression makes or breaks it.

abby_henderson19d ago

Totally agree with both of you. I learned the hard way too when I thought I could just use my phone for listing photos and they came out looking like a cave. Once I bit the bullet and hired a pro, the difference was insane. People actually started showing up.