Quality over quantity. Many of us live by this principle since it applies to a lot of important practices. On the topic of real estate, quality should be the top priority. Real estate agents and buyer alike, you should always look for high-quality photography in listings. But why do good photos matter?

The first things a potential buyer sees when browsing for properties online are the listing photos. Having high-quality visuals, such as professional photos, is important for making a good impression and making your listing stand out from all the rest.

Anyone can take a photo of their listing with their cellphones, but the quality of those photos can degrade quickly. This can happen if you send it from one device to another, especially if you’re transferring them from your phone to your computer, or trying to send them to another device that isn’t compatible with yours.

For instance, sending photos from a phone that isn't compatible with yours immediately decreases their quality. However, photos taken with a professional camera can be uploaded to your computer without losing its quality. These photos can also be edited to accentuate certain areas of the property without making it look unrealistic.

High-quality, professional photos can give a buyer a good sense of the property. Nowadays, more and more listings are providing “virtual walkthroughs” which utilize a 3D scanner that scans the interior of the property and produces a 3D image that buyers can view. These types of images are taken from a top-down angle which can make it difficult for a buyer to get a clear idea of the property.

High-quality photos of the property’s interior and features is much better for simulating walking through the property since it can capture almost exactly what the property looks like, unlike a 3D model which is an artificial image.

Now, as a real estate agent, it is crucial to build up your brand and reputation. Consistent, high-quality photos can do exactly that. They can help improve your reach on social media which can generate new leads and can overall build trust between you and buyers when they see the quality of your posts, listings, and consistency to provide that quality.

There are plenty of talented photographers in the scene that may be within your budget or willing to work something out with you so you can start boosting your listings and your brand.

The takeaway: Professional photos are an essential part of any successful real estate marketing strategy, as well as anyone investing in a property. If you’re ready to start improving your strategy, seek out professional photography for your next sale or purchase.