Doug Francis | Realtor

  • About Doug
  • Services
  • Sell Your Home
  • Case Studies
  • Get Started

Where are the real estate photos?

January 3, 2013 By Doug Francis

real estate photos House sellers Fairfax Virginia

Photos of their kitchen sold the buyer – a cooking blogger!

Have you ever wondered why some online listings have fewer real estate photos?

This seems like a problem circa 2004, but even yesterday I ran into this totally ridiculous problem on three properties with two different buyer clients.

  • The first listing was new on the market. Total photos: 0, as in zero. Since my client is a commercial airline pilot and literally spends 20% of his life at 34,000 feet, I stopped by with my handy iPhone to snap some pics and email them along to him.

Here is the deal for the seller in Herndon… most real estate sites collect data on a listing once and if your real estate photos aren’t there then you’re SOL.

  • The second listing has been on and off the market in Ashburn since last summer. Total photos: 7, as in 10-3. Since my clients have looked at a few hundred homes online, they had two comments that I have heard for years.

“We thought something was wrong with that home”

“Those photos are terrible ~ the house is much better than that!”

  • Northern Virginia real estate photos

    Looks like a dollhouse fireplace

    The third listing just popped up the other day too. Total photos: 25, which is acceptable. Since I teach my clients to look at photos but still understand that it is essential to physically see the house, their feedback was humorous. The agent must have purchased a groovy new camera with a wide angle lens because every snapshot was slightly distorted by the 14mm lens (that’s my hunch).

An essential part of a strategy to sell anything these days is good photography

I believe that the people at Apple recognized this trend when they decided to develop the Retina display, because the average blog reader isn’t as nerdy as they were five years ago when they would read a 1,500 word post and then craft a comment. People have become “scan-aholics” opting for Pinterest, Facebook, eBay or Instagram.

Visuals win-the-day in 2013

One of my brand strategies has always been to use the best photos from minute one when marketing homes. Using a Cannon DSLR with a variety of lenses, I know that it may take ten shots to get one that I like which can be considered a quality real estate photo. And maybe I talk about this topic too much, because I had an agent call me recently to try and schedule me to photograph her listing.

Needless to say, she was embarrassed!

In summary, missing, few or just bad photos happen because the marketer (agent) doesn’t care. Maybe I’m a perfectionist but photos are a big part of my “brand identity”.  Getting a home ready to sell is essential before anyone should start snapping photos… no matter how great a camera they have. Really. A great photo of a dirty house still stinks!

Share this with a friend...Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterShare on LinkedInPin on PinterestEmail this to someone

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In-depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

I’m so excited that you found me! Yes, this site covers real estate, but also a lot about lifestyle and  living in Vienna, Virginia outside Washington, D.C.

There is a lot of info here, and you can also contact me with any specific real estate questions. And, at home consultations are available too.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let me help you: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

Filmed in Vienna and McLean

https://youtu.be/ClqEIV1zoQg

Planning to sell your home?

Case Studies

Listing Case Studies Continue Reading

Thinking of Moving?

If you want to talk about your house and getting it ready for the market then let's set up a time to talk. Even if it's a second opinion, it's okay. Start here.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Have a question?

Homeowners: Add a level of privacy

name withheld by request

Privacy: Hiding your name

Looking for testimonials?

Read through a collection of client comments originally posted on Zillow, Google and Trulia. See what my clients say...

Looking for a Custom Home?

Insights into New Homes in Vienna VA

The Wire Fraud Warning

I sat in on a presentation by an FBI Special Agent who discussed many types of financial fraud which are being used across the internet. Victims are everywhere including real estate buyers and investors, to lonely widows in romance scams who unwittingly launder large sums of money for fraudsters. But let’s just focus on Real […]

“Doug nailed it! Within days, we had three offers, one of which not only met, but far exceeded all of our goals.”
– R. Pollard

“He truly was a partner integrating us unto the community and made it easy for us to take advantage of all Vienna has to offer.”
– A. D’Eredita

“We are so thankful we found Doug to guide us through the complex home selling and buying processes!”
– Scott and Jennie

About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for 2023 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

Search for a subject

Contact

Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
Why do people hire me?

Search for homes in Vienna

Vienna Real Estate Guide

Doug Francis Vienna Real Estate 2021
This material can only be used with written permission.

Equal Housing Opportunity

 

Copyright © 2023 Doug Francis · Minimum Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in