Do estate agents get any photographic training?
Discussion
Seriously, because most of the pics they take seem awful. I am no photogrpaher but things they cannot resist seem to be Agas ( I have seen one and I know what it looks like, I don't need a picture of one covered in pots and pans), shower cubicles, and anything with a bunch of flowers. Some of the pics seem almost random, so dark you can't see and including things I really don't want to see like broken furniture and piles of clothes. It is as if some drunk has run through the house late at night taking pictures. Get a decent camera FFS, do a bit of cropping and tidying up of the picture.
On the whole their pics do nothing to sell the house. I went to drive passed a house yesterday I had seen on the net because I had an hour to kill, and it was many times better in the flesh than the pictures suggested. My neighhbout has hers for sale and it is a pretty nice house made to look pokey by pictures taken half way down a room, and ignoring the best features ( a mofo patio come party area, great garage and massive lounge pictured so you get no sense of the size and light) . No wonder they haven't had a viewer in 18 months.
Minor rant over.
On the whole their pics do nothing to sell the house. I went to drive passed a house yesterday I had seen on the net because I had an hour to kill, and it was many times better in the flesh than the pictures suggested. My neighhbout has hers for sale and it is a pretty nice house made to look pokey by pictures taken half way down a room, and ignoring the best features ( a mofo patio come party area, great garage and massive lounge pictured so you get no sense of the size and light) . No wonder they haven't had a viewer in 18 months.
Minor rant over.
We're in the process of moving at the minute and to be fair our estate agent did a pretty good job, and as a result we had loads of viewings.
On the other hand when we've been trawling rightmove etc some of the pics are horrendous. At least 3 houses spring to mind that we've viewed where the pictures massively undersold the property and we've made a point of telling the vendors as much. In one case there were about 7 pics of the new bathroom but they'd neglected to put up any of the bedrooms. FFS !
To anybody about to sell, check out the EAs website before you sign the contract.
On the other hand when we've been trawling rightmove etc some of the pics are horrendous. At least 3 houses spring to mind that we've viewed where the pictures massively undersold the property and we've made a point of telling the vendors as much. In one case there were about 7 pics of the new bathroom but they'd neglected to put up any of the bedrooms. FFS !
To anybody about to sell, check out the EAs website before you sign the contract.
In general no, and their marketing blurb appears to be just a standard regurgitated text with 'insert here' blanks filled in.
When selling 5 years ago I agreed with my estate agent prior to signing the contract that I'd take my own photos and write my own text for the ad, he agreed (subject to me not breaking any rules in terms of advertising standards) and it sold within a week of advertising - coincidence, I'd like to think not
When selling 5 years ago I agreed with my estate agent prior to signing the contract that I'd take my own photos and write my own text for the ad, he agreed (subject to me not breaking any rules in terms of advertising standards) and it sold within a week of advertising - coincidence, I'd like to think not
yellowbentines said:
In general no, and their marketing blurb appears to be just a standard regurgitated text with 'insert here' blanks filled in.
When selling 5 years ago I agreed with my estate agent prior to signing the contract that I'd take my own photos and write my own text for the ad, he agreed (subject to me not breaking any rules in terms of advertising standards) and it sold within a week of advertising - coincidence, I'd like to think not
I think my neighbour suggested that but her agent said it was about being sure it was represented properly and tghey had to do it (BS). I note some use a fish eye lens and tell you they have done that which I think is both good practice and transparently fair.When selling 5 years ago I agreed with my estate agent prior to signing the contract that I'd take my own photos and write my own text for the ad, he agreed (subject to me not breaking any rules in terms of advertising standards) and it sold within a week of advertising - coincidence, I'd like to think not
The ones which amuse me on Rightmove are those which show the same room loads of times but omit other key rooms, or just have 5 pics and 3 are the garden. Do they have to pay extra for more pics on right move? I want to see every room, the optbuildings and the garnenm from 2 or more angles before I drive 100 miles to view.
Cogcog said:
The ones which amuse me on Rightmove are those which show the same room loads of times but omit other key rooms, or just have 5 pics and 3 are the garden. Do they have to pay extra for more pics on right move? I want to see every room, the optbuildings and the garnenm from 2 or more angles before I drive 100 miles to view.
If there's obvious omittions of rooms in terms of photos you can't help but assume it's becuase they look terrible!A friend runs a letting agency and whilst there may be different packages/licences I'm pretty sure he's posted up to around 40-50 photos in some instances (large townhouses over several storeys often require them).
From meory I supplied my agent with 2 of each room (from opposite corners) and maybe 2 or 3 each of the front and back gardens, nothing particularly arty or fancy, just using a reasonable camera, taking external photos on a bright dry day, and internal photos of clean, uncluttered rooms with as many personal belongings moved out of sight as possible, with all blinds up, curtains open and lights on if necessary to ensure the finished result is useful - not rocket science really!
Dr_Gonzo said:
Savils seem to always take good photos. I'm not sure what camera and settings they use but they all have the same look and are usually pretty good (as far as estate agents go).
They are somewhat upper-market, I assumed that they have a dedicated photographer on staff, or have a list of freelancers who can take them in the company style.Dr_Gonzo said:
Savils seem to always take good photos. I'm not sure what camera and settings they use but they all have the same look and are usually pretty good (as far as estate agents go).
I used to work for Savills a few years ago, we always got a separate company to take photos and produce the floorplans.It certainly makes a difference having a professional do the job, but then Savills are never going to be the cheapest agent around.
Cogcog said:
Do estate agents get any photographic training?
Not the cheap estate agencies but then if you want to pay peanuts, you get monkeysBut to counter, I have 18 years photography experience and I would do a s
t job of selling your house!As above, there are pro-photographers that make a good living shooting posh houses for the nicer estate agencies.
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