Real Estate Investing

Traditionally, the real estate market slows down this time of year. People generally settle down to enjoy the holidays and put off homebuying until the spring. However, for some people that simply is not an option. Whether facing a foreclosure or simply a job transfer, some people have to sell and sell quick!

Photos are a fundamental building block of successful home marketing. ActiveRain has a wonderful post on how to take top quality pictures.

“The latest statistics indicate that over 85% of the potential buyers for YOUR home will use your pictures to make a decision whether to visit based on what they see. So, if your pictures are out of focus, blurry or unclear, you’ll likely lose many of those potential visitors.”

The larger you want the image to be, the more megapixels your camera should have. Cameras with three megapixels are fine for photos intended for online use, and help keep photos to manageable, easily transferrable sizes. Predominant natural lighting is best by far for exterior shots and rooms with large windows or skylights. Good lighting is essential for shoppers to see all of your home’s winning qualities. Natural light is less harsh just after sunrise, normally 6-9 a.m., and just before sunset, around 3-5 p.m. or 5-7 p.m., depending on the time of year.

Above all, take your time and take plenty of photos to ensure you capture your home’s “best side.” It may even be worth a small investment to hire a professional photographer if the idea of picking up a camera intimidates you. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words - maybe it could lead to a contract worth thousands of bucks too!