As a rental property owner in the sought-after county of Westchester, your goal is to attract top-notch tenants. And the most effective way to achieve this is by utilizing high-quality photos on online platforms. This is where potential tenants are looking and with many rental options available, it is essential to stand out. If you want your home to generate significant interest, investing in professional photos will greatly assist in achieving that goal.
What sales agents get right
While this practice may vary in different markets, what has become increasingly common is the use of professional photographers by sales agents to capture homes. This decision is logical and based on the belief that high-quality photos will attract potential buyers.
However, some rental agents have yet to catch up with this trend and continue to rely on their own (often subpar) photography skills, assuming that it will suffice in drawing top-paying tenants to their property.
Sorry rental agents, that approach simply isn't feasible, especially when many rentals in Westchester are small, single-bed apartments where there are few differentiating factors between your property and your competitors.
The problem with low-quality images
Utilizing subpar photos can result in a decrease in inquiries, ultimately leading to fewer potential tenants reaching out to the agent. This can then negatively impact the monthly rent. Renters and buyers share a common mindset when it comes to property - they both desire visually appealing homes.
“… according to a study by Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, it takes less than 50 milliseconds to form a first impression, and that’s going to be largely dictated by the visual elements the viewer sees, not the written elements since they don’t have time to read that much in just a fraction of a second.”
What are some key tips for capturing the best shots of a rental property?
While it may appear easy to simply take an image on your phone, it's more difficult than it appears.
If one is facing a window, it can be either too bright or cause the interior to appear dark. While some phones attempt to adjust for both outdoor and indoor lighting, the result may still feature odd colors that take away from the overall look.
An additional problem to consider is the color cast created by varying room lighting. For instance, tungsten lights can give a room an orange hue, while other bulbs may create a blue or green tint that alters the actual appearance of the space.
What benefits can a professional photographer offer for rental agents in Westchester County?
By utilizing their expertise and equipment, a photographer can overcome unfavorable lighting conditions to ensure every room is showcased in the most flattering manner. It is important for the photographer to portray an accurate representation of the space rather than creating false expectations, in order to attract potential tenants who are seeking a home with those specific features and styles. This is where the value of hiring an experienced real estate photographer comes into play.
How virtual furniture can help
Your local real estate photographer can also capture images of the room without furniture or with lower quality furniture, using digital tools to insert virtual furniture. This offers another way for them to assist in enhancing the visual appeal of the space.
This method effectively conceals the personal items of current tenants and unattractive furniture. Additionally, it showcases the capacity for furniture in a particular area when photographed without any existing pieces. Many individuals struggle to envision the potential of an empty space, but your photographer can easily remedy this by incorporating suitable furnishings at a fraction of the expense and effort of obtaining actual furniture (and dealing with the physical labor involved!).
Utilizing virtual staging is not necessary for every room. Some agents have found success by featuring virtual furniture in one photo, which serves as their standout shot.
A rental agent in Australia has adopted this approach and has seen positive impacts on their business thanks to virtual furniture.
Here’s a quote from the above video:
“… we experienced an 80% increase in clickthroughs for a marketing campaign when we put professional photos with one (virtually) staged photo. The property leased within one week, and had previously been online for three weeks with no interest.”
-Michelle Valentic from Advantage Property
Consider your future landlords.
When uploading photos for a new rental property, the agent should consider the message conveyed by these images.
What message do those photos convey to potential landlords regarding the agent's level of professionalism?
Do the photos convey a sense of care and effort on the part of the rental agent to showcase their listings in the best light? Or do they imply otherwise?
Rather than solely focusing on finding the most cost-effective method for listing a property online, rental agents and property managers should consider taking a more comprehensive approach and examining the larger picture.
By doing so, they may realize the significant impact that professional real estate photos can have on their business. It is highly advisable for them to consider hiring a professional photographer to capture images of their rental properties.