Four Tips for Taking Great Real Estate Photos
Photos are a must-have for getting your listings noticed by potential buyers. Make your properties look the best they can with these tips:1
- Stage your photos properly. Stand next to a window and shoot into the room instead of standing at the door. This will reduce glare and reflections.
- Use natural light.
When possible, turn off overhead lights and open blinds or curtains. Shooting with natural light balances the colors in photos so they’re crisp and accurate. - Buy a new lens.
To take professional grade pictures, a good lens is a must-have. Pro tip: buy an attachable lens for your smartphone for wide-angle photos. - Hire a professional.
Professional photographers have the right tools and expertise to make your listings look great every time.
New Home Demand is Growing in These Markets
New home construction is in high demand, particularly in areas with a low inventory of existing homes. Five U.S. cities were recently identified as having the highest call for new construction based on sales performance, homebuilding challenges, and market indicators. What five metros made the list? Austin, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle, Washington; and Tampa, Florida2
Sole Proprietor or LLC – Which is Right for You?
If you’re working as a sole proprietor, you may want to look into setting up a limited liability company (LLC). As a sole proprietor, your personal assets aren’t protected in a lawsuit, and you may miss out on certain tax benefits reserved for LLC owners.
Many agents don’t choose the LLC option because they think it’s difficult, expensive, and time-consuming to establish and run. The truth is that an LLC can be set up quickly online and doesn’t require a lot of extra work. It can also provide an additional level of credibility with established and potential clients. While there are fees involved with setting it up, they’re typically low and can be included in your tax-deductible business expenses.
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Taking Action in the Face of Fear
While fear is a normal emotion, it becomes a problem when it holds us back from living our best lives. For real estate agents, common fears may include being rejected or making a mistake on legal documents or contracts. Some agents even report a fear of talking to clients, especially when delivering unwelcome news. The key to dealing with fear: take a moment to feel and embrace it, then act. You may end up finding there was much less to fear than you initially thought.4
Unconventional Homes for Unconventional Clients
Not every buyer wants a ramblin’ ranch, classic cottage, or basic bungalow. If you have a client whose tastes are a little more unusual, here are a few homes that might fit their style:5
- Tiny homes
While tiny homes go as small as 400 square feet, they’re huge right now. This market’s expected to grow by over $3 billion during the next three years. - Kit homes
If your client likes DIY projects, they might like a kit home. These are shipped directly to the location and come with a set of assembly instructions. - Dome homes
These can suit your environmentally conscious clients. Invented in 1954 by Buckminster Fuller, they’re energy-efficient and fare better during disasters. - Houseboats
Water lovers may enjoy living in a houseboat. But buyer beware: Houseboats are often expensive to maintain and lack energy efficiencies available in other property types.
Sources: 1mckissock.com, 2magazine.realtor, 3realtytimes.com, 4rismedia.com, 5inman.com
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