Realestock Blog

As house hunters scour the listings for the property of their dreams, the next best thing to viewing the property themselves is a fantastic set of photos. Photos give potential buyers visuals on what features a property has and the layout. It is the very first impression that house hunters receive of a home and it can intrigue them as easily as it can turn them away from purchasing the property. After all, pictures are worth a thousand words and a beautiful set of photos go a long way to turning a house hunter into a buyer.

There are a few things to keep in mind in order to take great photos. Here’s a list of 10 tips on how to take amazing property photos.

1. Cover all of the essential features.  Make sure you give prospective buyers every angle and shot on the essential rooms and features inside the home. Rooms that are absolutely crucial to a property and shouldn’t be left out include the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living areas and the backyard if the property has one. Also, include special features such as fireplace or pool as these could be selling points for buyers.
2. More is best. Don’t be afraid to include as many photos as possible. A floor plan is also a great inclusion if it’s possible.
3. Watch for intruders. Is there something in the photos that shouldn’t be there? Take more than one shot of an area so you can see whether furniture is misplaced or items are in a room they shouldn’t be and fix it for the next photo.
4. Watch the weather. While it’s not something you can control, photos showing an overcast sky or dreary afternoon light should be avoided. You can work around this with different camera setting or Photoshop, of course, but it is best not to overdo it.
5. Don’t leave buyers hanging. Taking a picture of only one side of the room, even if it’s to focus on the best attributes can make potential buyers wary of what’s lying outside of the frame.
6. Work different angles. Taking different angles of the same area gives prospective buyers the sense of perspective. Avoid the temptation to take crooked angle shots or use the wide angle lens, however.
7. Be careful with the flash and mirrors. Remember to turn the flash off in rooms that have lights on or if you’re taking a photo that includes windows. Also avoid taking pictures of yourself in front of a mirror.
8. Give a sense of life in the home. De-cluttering is a great idea to allow house hunters the space to imagine living in the home, but don’t go too far. Bare rooms signify a lack of care in the home, but going out of your way to include obviously constructed scenes will only give buyers a sense of falseness.
9. Know your camera settings and your tripod. If you’re taking the photos yourself, you have to understand the aperture, shutter speed and ISO to make your photos work harder for you. Shooting interiors at a slower speed for instance, makes them look better. A garden can look better in shade, and in harsh sunlight you might want to use a flash. There are courses you can take to learn more about how to make your camera work for you.
10. If in doubt, see the pros. While it is more expensive to hire a professional photographer, it could be well worth the cost.

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For the first time of what will now be a monthly feature on the site, we are proud to share with you this list of the 10 most viewed property listings on Realestock.com. Each month, we will be bringing you this list of properties which have achieved great popularity and exposure on Realestock to motivated buyers.

1. Mountain Spirit Resort and Spa, Kimberley, BC

Mountain Spirit Resort & Spa in Kimberley, BC is your four season Rocky Mountain playground. Combining a four season skiing mountain residence with the luxuries of a world-class spa and spectacular slope-side restaurant; Mountain Spirit allows easy access to Trickle Creek’s championship golf courses, 1800 acre natural park with over 100km of trails to explore, fly fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding and much more. The nearby Canadian Rockies International Airport makes travel to and from Salt Lake City, Calgary and Vancouver convenient and accessible.

2. Cannery Lofts Condominium, Astoria, OR

Cannery Lofts Condominium has the best river view in Astoria! Walk along the beautiful river walk or watch the ships pass by while lounging on your deck; Astoria has been named the best town to retire to, with its scenic views, quaint shops, historic homes and amazing restaurants. The brand new unit offers: 10’ ceilings, loft design, granite counters, bamboo floors, gourmet kitchen, glass window wall and gas fireplace. The identical unit is currently under construction in Phase II.

3. The Ellington, Oakland, CA

The best address in the Bay Area, The Ellington offers a lifestyle that is anything but the usual. Homes feature elevated nine and a half foot ceilings, hardwood flooring, open kitchens with Bosch stainless steel appliances, sprawling balconies and broad floor-to-ceiling window walls framing impressive Bay views. The high-rise contains an attended lobby with daily concierge services with nighttime security- in addition to a state of the art fitness center, heated pool, spa and community room with a full chef’s kitchen.

4. Dockside Green, Victoria, BC

Dockside Green is a name synonymous with environmental living and is a LEED® Platinum-targeted project. The development is an innovative community of one and two bedroom luxury condominiums, townhouses and penthouses all of which feature environmentally-friendly materials such as renewable bamboo floors, low-flow toilets and energy efficient appliances. The community features solar water heating, small-building wind turbines, a car share program, mini-transit system and a launch area for canoes and kayaks.

5. 1235 East Lake Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL

This exquisite Fort Lauderdale estate features 20,753 square feet with 9 bedrooms, 9 full and 4 half bathrooms. A gated entry is monitored by a state-of-the-art security system with camera surveillance and infrared sensors to ensure you sleep well at night. Fabulous amenities include a state-of-the-art nightclub, putting green, gym, massage room and spa, wine cellar, infinity pool and 9-car garage. Limestone floors, a clay barrel title roof and Pecky Cypress balconies embellish the luxurious feel of this home.

6. Highbury-Tower Residences at Fish Creek, Calgary, Alta.

Like all three towers, Highbury² gets its inspiration from classical modernism. Quality building materials blend with simple contemporary forms to convey a certain level of sophistication. Highbury² offers a wide range of one and two bedroom suites on its 12 floors, all with den/media room or home office. Highbury’s private amenities building features spa and fitness facilities, theatre with tiered seating, entertainment lounge, hobby and conference rooms, plus an in-building car wash.

7. Prado, Richmond, BC

A stunning landmark in the heart of downtown Richmond, Prado is located across from Lansdowne Centre and mere steps away from the RAV Line Lansdowne station. Each unit features caesarstone countertops, hardwood laminate floors and contemporary wood cabinetry. The units contain fireplaces with granite surround and entertainment-size patios, balconies and roof decks.

8. 987 SE MacArthur Blvd.-Hutchinson Island, FL, Stuart, FL

Located on private Hutchinson Island, this fabulous, charming beach home boasts 75 feet directly on the ocean and 75 feet on the Indian River Intracoastal, with a boathouse and dock situated minutes from the Inlet! With three bedrooms, three bathrooms and 2,800 square feet, this home is private and sunrise to sunset; is the best of both worlds.

9. Colonnade at Kentlands, Gaithersburg, MD

The Colonnade at Kentlands is a luxurious new condo surrounded by shops and entertainment opportunities. Floor plans are remarkably spacious with some offering 20-foot ceilings, staircases to lofts, fireplaces and computer niches. Kitchen islands and large walk-in closets are standard features in each unit, while the building features amenities such as a pool, sauna, wine room, fitness centre, cinema lounge, pub and courtyard.

10. Kanata Ecovillage, Mont-Tremblant, QC

Kanata Ecovillage is an exclusive village offering elegant homes that include all the modern amenities such as a wine cellar and energizing spa. Located just a few kilometers from the Mont-Tremblant resort, residents have easy access to all sorts of outdoor activities, including on-site dog sledding excursions, snowmobiling, fishing, wildlife observation trips and horseback riding.

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