THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
for switching real estate photography vendors
Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Why should you switch? Section 3 How to compare vendors Section 4 What to expect with a new vendor Section 5 Presenting results to your team Section 6 Conclusion
Photo by Virtuance Real Estate Photography
Table of contents
A listing image will either intrigue the buyer to click for more photos or turn them away almost immediately
Professional real estate photography has never been more important for listing agents, and there are incredible statistics to back this up. For instance, did you know that 96% of buyers view listings online prior to deciding to see a home in person? And that homes with professional photos get 61% more views?
. Let’s dive into some reasons why you should consider switching vendors
Homes with professional photos get 61% more views online
SECTION 1 Introduction
SECTION 2 Why should you switch?
You may feel that all professional real estate photography vendors are pretty similar - so, why switch, right? Wrong! While you can expect to earn more with professional photography, the experience you have with your photographer can heavily impact both your time and your bottom line.
Agents who use professional photography earn twice as much commission as those who do not, which makes sense because homes with high-quality images receive 47% higher asking price per square foot. If you’re one of the only 35% of real estate agents using professional photography for your listings, let’s see if you are using the most impactful, client-centric real estate photography vendor or if it’s time to make the switch. If you aren’t currently using professional real estate photography, continue reading to see how it will drastically improve your listing portfolio and brand image.
You have enough to worry about after you win a listing; getting a hold of your photographer to schedule your shoot shouldn’t be one of them. When looking at vendors, questions you should be asking yourself are: How can I place my order after office hours? Does my vendor work independently or do they have a support team? Does my vendor have online support? Who will answer my questions? What do I do if I need to re-schedule?
Scheduling
The quality of your listing’s images can sometimes make or break a potential sale. A majority of homebuyers (86%) say that images are the most important feature when deciding to view a home. You have about 20 seconds to grab a homebuyers attention with a photo, so it needs to be a show stopper. If your images have any of these issues, it’s time to search for a new photography vendor: Images look animated Quality is out of focus and fuzzy Sunlight is overexposed Composition does not compliment the space Can’t see through windows
Seek a vendor that has: A user-friendly website Online scheduling, 24/7 Account access where you can view your recent orders Representatives you can call or chat if you need to make last minute changes An online support page that answers the most common questions Likewise, great customer service can make the process of scheduling and receiving your listing’s photos more of a pleasant experience than a daunting task. Customer service that resembles the following traits should be dumped, and fast: No conflict resolution available Long wait times on calls or no answer Up-selling instead of problem-solving Customer support should be there for you during any potential bumps in the road. They are the liaison between you and the photographer. Find a real estate photography vendor that is known for their excellent customer service, nay find one that is awarded for their excellent customer service.
Image Quality
Study a vendor's website and spend some time looking at their most recent shoots of listings
Home buyers fly through listing photos online and may view dozens of new listings daily. Images that appear cartoon-like will seem fake and blurry photos taken at bad angles will certainly not make any home buyer want to commit to a walkthrough. Image composition, window clarity and shots that are in-focus all create the perfect, marketable photos needed to WOW your seller and potential homebuyers online. First impressions matter.
Consistency is a key differentiator here. Do their images look similar across multiple homes? Having consistent images shows that they uphold a specific standard, and you will know what to expect each time you work with them. Compare their before and after images. An exceptional real estate photography vendor can photograph a space while taking into account the most marketable angles; the important angles other professional photographers may have missed. Also, browse through reviews and testimonials to see what it’s like working with their customer service team. Are they accommodating? Flexible? Understanding? These are all important values that a great vendor will provide.
You may think that selecting the right real estate photography vendor is like comparing apples to apples, however, it is anything but. The right vendor will help cultivate, nurture and grow your business right alongside you. A good vendor will provide quality images, but a great partner will maintain a strong relationship with you and watch you succeed time and again. Below are strategies used to research vendors: First impression of listing Before and after photos Website ease of use Customer Service
SECTION 3 How to compare vendors
SECTION 4 What to expect with a new vendor
When you select the right vendor, you are entering a solid, professional partnership. They have your best interest in mind and that includes delivering the highest quality images that are proven to increase your showings (92% of Virtuance clients) and help you sell a listing faster (by 45%) and closer to selling price (by 75%). Once you’ve upgraded vendors, here’s what you should expect: Improved Image Quality Easier Scheduling More Showings Faster Sales More Referrals More Leads Improved Portfolio
Congratulations! With this guide, you’re well on your way to selecting a real estate photography vendor that produces results-driven images and marketing services that gain you more listings, showings and brand awareness. Remember, when selecting or switching real estate photography vendors, focus on image quality, scheduling, website ease of use, and professional brand development.
SECTION 6 Conclusion
Use this guide as encouragement to seek the best out of your future professional photography vendors
SECTION 5 Presenting results to your team
Let’s pretend that you’ve now found your preferred real estate photography vendor. They produce consistently high-quality images that increase your showings, sell your listings faster and help build your portfolio; gaining you more clients than your previous vendor. Now, you want your team on board. Here are some strategies to present your preferred vendor to your team: Flyer/Brochure Presentation Gallery Images Statistics Testimonials Referral Program Ask your new real estate photography vendor for marketing materials that show side-by-side comparisons and results-driven statistics gathered from in-depth customer service studies. Another way to impress your team is to provide testimonials from agents that have used your new preferred vendor. There is nothing more powerful than a testimonial from someone in your industry. Lastly, see if your new vendor has a referral program. Some photography vendors will offer a special referral discount for a current client and the first-time client that was referred. This is a great opportunity for your team to try out a new vendor.
1660 South Albion St., Denver
Why visual marketing is vital for your brand Learn how the brain processes information, see how visuals greatly influence marketing channels, and understand how professional photography can help build your brand. How to: Get more people to attend your open house Effective strategies for promoting an open house may have shifted over the last decade, but when done right, the results continue to greatly benefit both the seller and the agent. For agents, an open house is a great way to build and maintain a strong network. 5 quick tips to improve your next listing presentation In the real estate industry, first impressions will either make or break you when it comes to winning business. Preparation and branding is key to helping you stand out from your competition. How Virtuance fuels your growth At Virtuance, our goal is to improve the quality of your brand and to help you gain more leads. Our services help win you more listings and sell your listings faster/closer to asking price. Virtuance’s results-driven photography increases traffic and click-throughs on listings while securing more showings in comparison to other professional real estate photographers.
www.virtuance.com
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