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Finding the Right Neighbourhood in Kelowna
The home-buying process can be a stressful one, especially if you are a first-time home buyer who is going through the process for the first time. While it’s important to have your finances in order and find a knowledgeable real estate agent, one factor of home-buying that sometimes gets overlooked is choosing the right neighbourhood. Kelowna is unique in that it is a true four-season playground, with no shortage of things to do, however, you’ll want to carefully choose your ideal neighbourhood to get the most bang for your buck.
We’ve highlighted a few things to consider when choosing the best neighbourhoods in Kelowna when purchasing a home.
Decide What Type of Property You Want
One of the first things you should consider when beginning your home search is the type of property you want to live in. This can have an impact on the neighbourhood you choose. If you’re looking for a smaller condo that boasts fantastic views and great amenities, then consider one of the many new buildings going up in Kelowna’s downtown area. If you’re looking for a single-family home with a great yard, then Rutland or Glenmore are definitely neighbourhoods to check out.
Consider Affordability
Affordability is arguably one of the most important considerations when deciding which neighbourhood to live in. If you are working with a smaller budget, then consider looking at neighbourhoods like Rutland and Black Mountain, which are further from the downtown core but offer fantastic, family-friendly amenities that are appealing to those with children. Alternatively, you might want to consider looking at areas just outside of Kelowna, such as Westbank and Lake Country, which still give you the Okanagan lifestyle everyone loves without the high price tag that can often come with homes in Kelowna.
Look at Liveability Factors
Liveability factors refer to the different elements of a neighbourhood that make it a great place to live, such as proximity to different amenities, schools and parks. If you have school-age children, make sure to familiarize yourself with the different schools in the area. If you’re looking to spend lots of time outdoors exploring the beautiful Okanagan, then consider neighbourhoods like Glenmore, Wilden, and Dilworth. They are just a short drive from the downtown area and offer fantastic hiking trails right in your backyard! For those who have a higher budget and are looking to be close to the beach, then the Upper Mission and Lower Mission might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Whether you’re new to Kelowna or are simply looking for a change of pace, these tips will help you choose the right neighborhood for you and your family!
Ready to find your next home? We can help! Contact Max Carbone today to learn more!
Top Home Improvements To Tackle Before Selling Your Home
If you’re planning to put your home on the market in the next few months, it might be worthwhile to consider some home improvements before selling. While making improvements to your home before selling might seem counterintuitive, it can actually be a great way to boost your return on investment. Making a few simple upgrades can help attract potential buyers and help you get top dollar for your home.
We’ve selected a few top home improvements to make before selling your home.
Home Improvements for Selling: Upgrade Kitchen Fixtures
Home improvements, such as replacing the roof or updating flooring throughout your home can be quite costly, but there are other improvements you can make that won’t break the bank, such as upgrading the fixtures in your kitchen. Taking the time to update the hardware on your cabinets or swap out an old faucet for a new, more modern one can make a huge difference in the overall look and feel of the room, which can help catch the attention of potential buyers.
Refresh The Bathroom
Similarly to updating your kitchen, making a few, inexpensive changes to your bathroom can have a huge impact and make your home stand out on the market. Kitchens and bathrooms are high-priority rooms for many buyers, so updating the cabinet hardware or adding a fresh coat of paint is a great way to update the space and attract attention to some of your home’s special features.
Add A Fresh Coat of Paint
Potential buyers want to be able to visualize themselves living in whatever home they are viewing, and sometimes homes with bright, bold paint colours can make it difficult for buyers to do so. If you want to make a few simple upgrades before selling but don’t want to break the bank, try adding a fresh coat of paint to the walls to brighten the space and make it a blank canvas for potential buyers. Choose a light, neutral paint colour, as it will help bring light into your home and create a clean slate for whoever ends up purchasing your home.
Update Your Front Porch
The curb appeal of your home might be one of the last things you think about when it comes to making home improvements before selling, but it can actually make a huge impact. The front of your home will be the first impression, so taking the time to tidy up the front porch is a great way to make potential buyers feel welcome in the space. Make sure walkways are clear of debris and ensure that outdoor furniture is tidy and there are no tripping hazards. Adding a fresh, bright coat of paint to the front door and adding a flower pot or two will add personality to your porch and create a warm welcoming feel to your home.
While these home improvements may seem simple, they’re a great way to boost the return on investment of your home and help attract the best buyer for your space.
Are you thinking about putting your home on the market but aren’t sure what you can do to get top dollar? We can help! Contact Max Carbone to learn more.
Home Staging Tips To Make Your Home Stand Out
When it comes to selling your home, there are a lot of different things that you can do to help it stand out in the market. Staging your home is probably one of the easiest things you can do, and it can have a considerable impact. Taking the time to stage your home can help showcase its best features and help potential buyers visualize how they would make the space their own.
We’ve taken the time to break down some top home staging tips to help your home make a big impact and stand out in the market.
Home Staging Tips: Focus on Key Rooms
Focusing on the key rooms in your home when staging is a great place to start, as these are the rooms that potential buyers will focus on the most. The kitchen, living room, dining room, and primary bedroom should be the spaces you focus on first, especially if you don’t have the time to stage every single room in your home. When staging a home, you’ll want to focus on maximizing space and functionality in these spaces, so potential buyers can easily visualize themselves living in the home and using those spaces regularly. If you choose to rearrange furniture, make sure you aren’t blocking any high-traffic areas, and remember that in most cases, less is more.
Declutter & Depersonalize
One of the biggest things to remember when staging your home is to focus on making your home appeal to everyone. This often means removing personal items, such as family photos or mementos, to keep the space simple and clean. You might love a particular sentimental photo, but it might be distracting to a potential buyer and keep them from being able to visualize themselves living in the space. This doesn’t mean you have to get rid of your personal items, but tucking them away while your home is on the market will benefit you in the long run. Decluttering is also important, as clutter can often make rooms seem much smaller than they actually are. As mentioned above, less is often more, so don’t be afraid to keep your decor to a minimum to help your home appeal to a larger variety of potential buyers.
Freshen Up The Space
When it comes to home staging, many people tend to just think about furniture and decor placement when there are other ways to help freshen up a space. Adding a fresh coat of paint to the walls is one of the easiest ways to bring new life to a room, and keeping the colour light and bright is a great way to make your home appear bigger and more spacious. Choosing a neutral paint colour will also appeal to a larger group of potential buyers, as they will be able to visualize the different design choices they might make should they purchase your home. Again, if you don’t have the ability to paint every room in your home, focus on the important spaces such as the kitchen and living room first, as those will be the spaces that potential buyers will look at first.
Maximize Your Curb Appeal
Don’t forget to take your staging outdoors! It can be easy to focus entirely on the interior of your home, but taking the time to boost your home’s curb appeal can also have a huge impact, as it is the first impression that potential buyers get of your home. It’s easy to boost your home’s curb appeal during the summer months by adding some flower pots to your porch and ensuring that your lawn is mowed and clutter-free. The winter months can be challenging, especially if there’s snow on the ground, but taking the time to ensure your sidewalk is cleared and free of ice and debris will go a long way. Adding a coat of paint to your front door is a great way to add a pop of colour to help potential buyers easily recognize your home and add personality.
While home staging can seem like a tedious process, it can have a huge impact on how your home looks on the market. Not only does staging accentuate the fantastic features of your home, but it can allow potential buyers to visualize themselves in the space, which can help lead to more offers!
Are you thinking about selling your home and need an experienced agent to help you through the selling process? We can help! Contact Max Carbone to learn more.
Real Estate Report: January 2023
Local Residential Market Sales Sees Slower Than Usual Start to Year
KELOWNA, B.C. – February 6th, 2022.
Residential real estate sales started the year off with nearly half as many sales activity compared to the same month the year prior, reports the Association of Interior REALTORS® (the Association).
A total of 552 residential unit sales were recorded across the Association region in January representing a 48.6% decrease in sales compared to the bustling market of January 2022.
“This dampening in sales activity is not unexpected given current market conditions. Specifically, the cost of borrowing has risen over the course of the year and weighs heavily on homebuyers’ plans,” says the Association of Interior REALTORS® President Lyndi Cruickshank, adding that “demand is still strong, but high interest rates will likely continue to make for a slow first quarter in real estate activity.”
New residential listings saw a slight uptick of 7.1% within the region compared to January 2022 with 1,430 new listings recorded. Overall inventory saw a healthy increase of 99.8% with 6,208 units currently on the market at the close of January.
“Despite an increase in inventory, there is still a lack of affordable housing which is compounded by the high interest rates,” notes Cruickshank, adding “we are seeing buyers and sellers holding off on their real estate intentions as their money just doesn’t get them as far as what it used to.”
The benchmark price for single-family homes in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, South Okanagan and Shuswap/Revelstoke regions all saw some modifications in year-over-year comparisons, with a mix of increases and decreases depending on the various home types. The benchmark price for single-family homes saw decreases across all areas compared to January 2022, with the highest percentage decrease in the Central Okanagan; down 7.9%, coming in at $976,800.
The average number of daysto sell a home, always a good barometer to watch, increased to 86 days compared to last month’s 75 days. It’s important to note that the average of days on market is for the entire Okanagan region and that the indicator will vary depending on home type and sub-region.
Given the high stakes on such a significant financial transaction, home sellers and buyers can benefit from the knowledge and skills of a practiced REALTOR®. Contact your local REALTOR® to find out more about the real estate market and how they can help you achieve your real estate goals.
The Association of Interior REALTORS® is a member-based professional organization serving approximately 2,600 REALTORS® who live and work in communities across the interior of British Columbia including the Okanagan Valley, Kamloops and Kootenay regions, as well as the South Peace River region.
The Association of Interior REALTORS® was formed on January 1, 2021, through the amalgamation of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board and the South Okanagan Real Estate Board. The Association has since also amalgamated with the Kamloops & District Real Estate Association and the Kootenay Association of REALTORS®.
Contact your local REALTOR® to find out more about the real estate market
and how they can help you achieve your real estate goals.
What To Do Before Buying A Home
There’s a lot that goes into the process of buying a home, including determining where you want to buy, finding an agent, viewing properties, and finally, making an offer. But what many people don’t consider are all the things that need to be done before you even begin looking at properties. The home-buying process can be stressful, so taking the time to research and fully understand everything that goes into buying a home is vital to making sure the entire process goes as smoothly as possible.
We’ve broken down a few things that you should do before buying a home to help you get started on the right foot and make finding your dream home a stress-free experience!
Buying a Home: Know Your Budget
Before you even begin looking at potential properties, the very first thing you should do is establish your budget. Understanding exactly how much you can afford is incredibly important, as it will keep you from looking at (and potentially falling in love) a property that is outside of your budget. After deciding you’re ready to buy a home, sit down and look at your finances to determine how much you’ll be able to afford for a mortgage. Don’t forget to factor in other expenses that come with owning a home, such as insurance and utilities.
Get Pre-Approved
Another important step to take before beginning your home-hunting journey is getting pre-approved for a mortgage. A pre-approval informs you of how much a mortgage lender is willing to lend you. This number is based on a number of different factors, including:
- Income
- Credit Rating
- Debts
Your lender will also be able to guarantee the current interest rate for up to 120 days, which allows you to house hunt without worrying about any interest rate increases. Getting pre-approved before beginning your house hunt will not only help you stay within your budget but will also help show real estate agents that you are serious about buying a home.
Choose An Agent
Once you’ve established your budget and have been pre-approved, your next step is to find a great real estate agent to work with. Buying a home is a huge investment and is likely one of the largest purchases you will make in your lifetime, so working with a knowledgeable agent will help take some of the stress out of the process. The right agent is going to be professional, knowledgeable, and responsive, and will do their best to find you the right home for the best price.
Determine Where You Want To Buy
You might have given a lot of thought to the kind of home you want to buy, whether that be a condo, townhouse, or single-family home, but taking location into consideration is also important. If you’re familiar with the area that you’re buying in, consider the different neighbourhoods and try to find one that is going to suit you and your needs best. Some people may want to prioritize things like green space and activities, while others might be focused on proximity to work, to avoid long commute times. If you’re unfamiliar with the area, ask your real estate agent for their thoughts. They are the area experts, and will be able to give you the ins and outs of the neighbourhoods you’re interested in so you can find the one that’s right for you.
Start Home Hunting
After taking the necessary steps to prepare for the home-buying process, it’s time to begin searching for your perfect home! Spend some time looking through current listings in your preferred areas, and set up some showings with your real estate agent to view the properties in person. Photos and 3D tours can give you a good idea of the space and how a property is laid out, but actually walking through the space will allow you to see how you, your family, and your belongings would fit in the space. Remember that finding the perfect home can take some time, so patience is key in the home-buying process!
Whether you’re searching for your first home or are looking to move up or downsize, taking the necessary steps to prepare for the entire buying process will help ensure you are taken seriously as a buyer and can find the perfect home!
Ready to find your next home? We can help! Contact Max Carbone to learn more.
5 Questions You Should Ask When Hiring a Real Estate Buyer’s Agent
Purchasing a home is likely one of the largest and most significant purchases you will make in your lifetime, so finding the right real estate agent is essential. Not only will they help walk you through the entire home-buying process from start to finish, but they will also advocate for you when it comes to negotiating and finding the perfect home. When it comes to hiring a real estate agent, taking the time to interview a few is key to finding the right one for you.
We’ve put together a list of 5 questions that you can ask when hiring a real estate agent to help you get started in your interviewing process.
Hiring a Real Estate Agent: How Long Have You Been In Real Estate?
A real estate agent that has been in the business for a long period of time will likely have more experience than a newer agent and will be able to better anticipate any problems that may arise during the home-buying process. This isn’t to say that you can’t work with a less-experienced agent, but getting a feel for how long an agent has been working in the real estate industry is a great way to start your interview. Another benefit of working with an experienced agent is that they likely have established solid relationships with other real estate services professionals, such as home inspectors, and will be able to refer you to them if needed.
What Is Your Area of Focus?
Another great question to ask your prospective agent is what their area of focus, or expertise, is. While some agents are looking to work for all sorts of clients, some have specialized focuses, such as first-time home buyers or those looking to downsize. These agents will likely have more experience with certain pain points you might experience during the home-buying process and will be able to inform and help you navigate any challenges or frustrations that you may feel.
Are You Familiar With My Desired Neighbourhood?
Finding a real estate agent that is knowledgeable about your desired area is also incredibly important, especially if you’re moving to a new city that you’re not familiar with. It’s a real estate agent’s job to know what is going on in their local market, so they will be able to help you either find a neighbourhood that will suit your needs, or give you as much information as they can on the neighbourhood you have in mind. Liveability factors play a huge role in day-to-day life, whether it be proximity to schools, transit, or other amenities, so finding an area that fulfills those requirements is key to finding your ideal home. Working with an agent who is familiar with your desired neighbourhood will also allow them to give you accurate information regarding home values in the area. This will help you get an idea of what other homes in the area have sold for and can help you determine whether or not you’re paying the right price for a property.
Can You Explain The Home-Buying Process?
You want to make sure that you end up working with a real estate agent who knows what they’re doing, which is why you should ask them to explain the entire home-buying process to you. Buying a home can be stressful and complicated at times, so working with an agent who understands the ins and outs of the process is key to making your buying experience as stress-free as possible. There are a lot of different rules and regulations when it comes to buying a home, so your real estate agent will be able to explain and help you understand everything that goes into the buying process.
Do You Have References or Reviews?
One of the most common ways that people find real estate agents is through referrals from friends and family, so you likely already have one review to rely on, but it’s always a good idea to seek out more when possible. Reviews from past clients are a great way to gauge whether or not an agent is going to be the right fit for you, so don’t be afraid to ask for more references if needed. Most agents will have reviews displayed on their website or in a Google Business profile, which makes them easy to find.
Regardless of whether or not you’re buying your first home or your fifth home, taking the time to find the right agent is essential to making sure the entire home-buying process goes smoothly and is as stress-free as possible.
Are you thinking about buying a home and want to get in touch with one of our experienced agents? We’d love to hear from you! Contact Max Carbone to learn more.
Real Estate Report: December 2022
Local Residential Market Closes the Year at Slower Pace
KELOWNA, B.C. – January 5th, 2022.
Residential real estate sales concluded 2022 with softened sales activity for the month of December, reports the Association of Interior REALTORS® (the Association).
A total of 572 residential unit sales were recorded across the Association region in December representing a 42.8% decrease in sales compared to the number of units sold during the unusually strong market of December 2021.
“After a very strong first half of 2022, we began to see market activity moderate amid consistently rising interest rates imposed by the Bank of Canada,” says the Association of Interior REALTORS® President Lyndi Cruickshank, adding that “although inventory levels remain tight, the high interest rates will continue to subdue market activity in the coming months.”
New residential listings saw a decline of 20.7% within the region compared to December 2021 with 651 new listings recorded. However, the overall inventory saw a 93.5% spike with 6,001 units currently on the market at the close of December 2022.
“Looking to 2023, we anticipate inventory will continue to accumulate, as compared to recent years, with all signs pointing to more balanced conditions with buyers and sellers benefitting equally,” notes Cruickshank, adding “real estate professionals will continue to support buyers and sellers as they navigate the real estate markets across the region.”
The benchmark price for single-family homes in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, South Okanagan and Shuswap/Revelstoke regions all saw moderate decreases in year-over-year comparisons. The benchmark price in all other housing categories saw minor to moderate increases compared to December 2021, with the highest percentage increase in the townhouse category for the North Okanagan; up 13.8% compared to December 2021, coming in at $574,400.
The average number of days to sell a home, always a good barometer to watch, increased to 75 days compared to last month’s 65 days. It’s important to note that the average of days on market is for the entire Okanagan region and that the indicator will vary depending on home type and sub-region.
Given the high stakes on such a significant financial transaction, home sellers and buyers can benefit from the knowledge and skills of a practiced REALTOR®. Contact your local REALTOR® to find out more about the real estate market and how they can help you achieve your real estate goals.
The Association of Interior REALTORS® is a member-based professional organization serving approximately 2,600 REALTORS® who live and work in communities across the interior of British Columbia including the Okanagan Valley, Kamloops and Kootenay regions, as well as the South Peace River region.
The Association of Interior REALTORS® was formed on January 1, 2021, through the amalgamation of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board and the South Okanagan Real Estate Board. The Association has since also amalgamated with the Kamloops & District Real Estate Association and the Kootenay Association of REALTORS®.
Contact your local REALTOR® to find out more about the real estate market
and how they can help you achieve your real estate goals.
Festive Community Events In the Okanagan
There is something magical about wintertime in the Okanagan, which makes the holiday season a great time to get out and enjoy some of the festive events throughout the valley. If you’re looking for fun things to do in the Okanagan this holiday season, check out this list of upcoming events we’ve compiled that are perfect for the entire family to enjoy!
Festival of Trees @ Delta Grand
FREE EVENT
When: November 18th, 2022 – January 3rd, 2023
Where: Delta Grand Okanagan Resort, 1310 Water St.
What: Gather the family and come down to the Festival of Trees, a local community event where local businesses and organizations come together to support BC Children’s Hospital. Decorated trees are displayed at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort & Mission Hill Family Estate Winery for members of the community to enjoy and vote on.
Candy Cane Lane Kelowna
FREE EVENT
When: Month of December 2022 | 5:00pm – 11:00pm
Where: Springvalley community, between Ziprick Rd, Springfield Rd & Gertsmar Rd | Kelowna
What: The 12th annual Candy Cane Lane is a grassroots, neighbourhood-driven celebration of holiday lights. Visitors are encouraged to bring a donation for their drop box, with donations being collected for the women’s shelter, Mamas for Mamas, and the Salvation Army. Donations also go towards the Springvalley Elementary breakfast program and a few select individuals who are going through hard times.
For more information, visit the Candy Cane Lane Facebook page.
Silverstar Annual Light Up
FREE EVENT
When: Saturday, December 10th, 2022 | 3:00 – 8:00pm
Where: SilverStar Mountain Resort, 123 Shortt St.
What: Spend an evening at SilverStar Mountain Resort and enjoy fireworks, fire spinners, light displays, the Polson Artisan Market, roaming entertainers, and more!
For more information & full schedule, CLICK HERE.
Merry & Bright: Winter Pop-Up Market
FREE EVENT
When: Sunday, December 11th, 2022 | 12:00 – 4:00pm
Where: Vice & Virtue Brewing Co., 1033 Richter St, Kelowna
What: Head over to Vice & Virtue for a festive, wintery pop-up market in their backyard! Grab a beer and shop local, handmade arts, crafts, decor, and more! A perfect opportunity to finish off any last-minute Christmas shopping.
Menorah Lighting & Display
FREE EVENT
When: Sunday, December 18th, 2022 | 5:00 – 7:00pm
Where: Stuart Park, 1430 Water St, Kelowna
What: Presented by Chabad Okanagan, this event will celebrate the first night of Hannukah. Watch as the first candle of the Menorah is lit and enjoy traditional holiday foods, as well as festive music and entertainment.
The Nutcracker – Presented by Mission Dance Centre & Company
TICKETED EVENT
When: December 22nd, 2022 | 7:30pm & December 23rd | 3:00pm & 7:30pm
Where: Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Rd, Kelowna
What: Experience the magic of the season with Mission Dance Company as they present The Nutcracker, featuring their talented and passionate dancers. Each show also offers a silent auction, photos, and poster signings by the stars, as well as a VIP after-performance.
Real Estate Report: November 2022
Local Residential Market Cooling Down Heading into Holiday Season
KELOWNA, B.C. – December 5th, 2022.
Residential real estate sales for the month of November in the region saw sales dip heading into the holiday season, reports the Association of Interior REALTORS® (the Association).
A total of 844 residential unit sales were recorded across the Association region in November representing a 48.4% decrease in sales compared to the number of units sold during the hyperactive market of November 2021, with a decrease of 15.6% compared to last month.
“Although the numbers seem far below what we have become accustomed to, comparing sales from this year to last year would be like comparing apples to oranges,” says the Association of Interior REALTORS® President Lyndi Cruickshank, adding that “comparing to a typical seasonal pre-pandemic November would represent a more accurate comparison over the frenzied market over the last few years, which would show that we are currently not that far off from an average November.”
New residential listings saw a moderate decline of 4.6% within the region compared to the same month last year with 1,357 new listings recorded. However, the overall inventory saw a healthy 85.3% boost over the availability in November 2021 with 6,980 units currently on the market; providing more options to buyers.
“While it’s great to see that the number of active listings is higher than it has been for a long time, the market remains tight as new inventory seems to be flattening,” notes Cruickshank, adding “this is not unusual for this time of year as sellers hold off on listing while they are enjoying the holiday season.”
The benchmark price for single-family homes in the Central Okanagan, North Okanagan and South Okanagan regions all saw increases in year-over-year comparisons, with the exception of the Shuswap/Revelstoke area that saw a 4.4% decrease in single-family benchmark prices. The benchmark price in all other housing categories saw minor to moderate increases compared to November 2022, with the highest percentage increase in the condominium category for the South Okanagan; up 16.4% compared to November 2021, coming in at $422,800.
The average number of days to sell a home, always a good barometer to watch, increased to 65 days compared to last month’s 64 days. It’s important to note that the average of days on market is for the entire Okanagan region and that the indicator will vary depending on home type and sub-region.
Given the high stakes on such a significant financial transaction, home sellers and buyers can benefit from the knowledge and skills of a practiced REALTOR®. Contact your local REALTOR® to find out more about the real estate market and how they can help you achieve your real estate goals.
The Association of Interior REALTORS® is a member-based professional organization serving approximately 2,600 REALTORS® who live and work in communities across the interior of British Columbia including the Okanagan Valley, Kamloops and Kootenay regions, as well as the South Peace River region.
The Association of Interior REALTORS® was formed on January 1, 2021, through the amalgamation of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board and the South Okanagan Real Estate Board. The Association has since also amalgamated with the Kamloops & District Real Estate Association and the Kootenay Association of REALTORS®.
Contact your local REALTOR® to find out more about the real estate market
and how they can help you achieve your real estate goals.
The Art and Science of Real Estate Photography
Do great photos make a difference in real estate sales? Many argue that photos make or break the listing and sales process. And, while it’s true that poor real estate photography can turn off buyers from viewing the subject property, it’s important to note that good photography doesn’t sell real estate. Agents and sellers do that part.
Real Estate Photography: A Buyer’s Perspective
Buyers are looking for the best house at the lowest price. They search for desirable areas, size, number of bedrooms and sometimes features like garages and pools. In a quest for the best at the lowest price, amazing photos won’t help an overpriced house. However, detailed photos, exposed properly can feature the unique and important aspects of a home and property quickly and more effectively than written words.
A Seller’s Perspective
Photos attract buyers to view a property. From there, the property must stand on its own merits. If the property looks the same as the photos buyers often do not remark. If the photos are significantly better than the real-life experience at the home, buyers become untrusting.
Detailed photography can also help sellers and agents negotiate better. The average home viewing by buyers is estimated at 15 minutes and sometimes less. Buyers cannot remember what house had the green carpet let alone the high-quality appliances. Photos serve as a reminder to the buyers of what they are paying for. This is why “great” real estate photography will show sidewalks, foyers, landings, and laundry rooms. These photos can sometimes seem odd to sellers and look lousy. Yet, photos of features serve an important purpose in helping the sellers get more money, clarify value, bolster talking points, and manage buyer expectations.
Getting Prepared
The goal of a good real estate shoot is to “capture” the essence of the home and property, snap a few money shots, shoot the flow of the house and property and get the best fill shots. 3D walk-thru video can accomplish a lot of this. Yet, static photos allow the agent and photographer to stage the angle and exposure to capture perspective. The end goal is to show nicely enough to entice the buyer to book a showing.
What Makes A Good Photo?
A good photo is properly exposed, in focus, representative of the lighting sees through windows to the outside, has understandable angles and perspectives, and reflects the features of the home fairly. If a room is dark it means the photo should probably show this. However, with today’s technology, nearly any space can be brightened. It might be a nice shot, but that doesn’t make it good photography. Photos of hallways, sidewalks, gas meters, and air conditioner units also make good photos in real estate. Photos showing the underside of gutters (soffits) can highlight expense trim and build considerations. The odd detail shot of hinges and faucets can also work well to show the home’s attention to detail and craftsmanship. Good real estate photos should show the good and not-so-great aspects of the home.
Good money shots are important and viewers will give creative license to make these photos look grander than perhaps they are, within the law. Yes, there are laws and rules that must be followed. We can make your grass look greener and photoshop the trash bin but your purple front door must stay.
What Makes A Bad Photo?
Bad photos can look nice. Identifying bad ones is not always easy but here are some red flags. Frosty windows are the first clue. Out of focus and poor angles are another. Random angles and perspectives can also be an indication. Viewers will “feel” these items as much as point them out.
Bad real estate photos can also be excellent photos that simply hide items out of frame. Like the photo of the backyard showing lush green grass that is taken at such an angle to hide the house next door with three bedroom windows looking down onto the pool area. Or, the photo of the driveway zoomed in to hide the 50-foot drop from the garage to the road.
The seller may not like a photo that shows what the home accurately looks like; light, dark, cluttered – it doesn’t mean it’s a bad photo. Photos can help to manage buyer expectations. Sometimes a home is dark. Over-exposing and saturating light in areas that don’t normally have light can create mistrust among buyers. Accept that sometimes photos and the property, are what they are.
Shooting Day Prep
Interior: Turn on all lights, open curtains, clear counters, move furniture to open up spaces, toilet seats down, fold hanging towels, clean, polish, organization, and cleanliness.
Exterior: Time of year is important. Schedule your shoot to address where the sun will be located. Clear the driveway, hide everything possible, mow the lawn and declutter as much as possible.
Our Top Tips for Stellar Real Estate Pics:
- Declutter rooms and make beds
- Turn ON all lights and lamps in the home
- Turn OFF ceiling fans and TVs
- Clear all personal items from counters, dressers, shelves
- Remove magnets and photos from the fridge
- Move all vehicles and boats/ RVs off of the driveway and away from the house
- Remove pet items and garbage /recycling bins from the view
- Hang fresh towels on towel racks
- Ensure you are NOT in the house during the Matterport scans
- Takedown photos and personal items that you don’t want in the VR tour
Photos are important. Yet, stellar photos will not compensate for an overpriced home, an agent that communicates poorly, or a rapid change in the market. Photos are just one of the many tools agents use to help sellers get offers.
Pretty photos of real estate may look like art but agents and photographers must balance the scientific considerations to leverage the photography to impact a sale. It’s more than just pretty pictures.
