When selling a home in the UK, professional photography is crucial to attracting potential buyers and securing a sale. However, not all property photographs are created equal. Even small mistakes can turn buyers off or cause them to miss your listing altogether. This is the reason why 72% of estate agents say high quality images can help them with winning more listings.
As a home seller, it’s important to understand what buyers don’t want to see in property photos so you can provide listings they will be eager to view and make offers on. Here are some of the most common photography mistakes that irritate UK home buyers.
Overexposed Images
83% of home buyers say that images help them with selecting the right property. However, this refers to clear images without any overexposure. Too much brightness is one of the biggest complaints among home buyers surveying online property listings. When photos are overexposed and washed out, it becomes impossible to see details of the home’s rooms, layout and features.
Backlit rooms lacking sufficient lighting also frustrate buyers, making spaces seem shadowy and dim. Pro property photographers know how to properly light each room and space to showcase the home in its best form.
Clutter Everywhere
Today’s buyers want to envision themselves living in your house. But it’s virtually impossible for them to picture this if every room and surface is cluttered with your personal belongings and mess.
Buyers dislike seeing rooms jammed with too much furniture, overflowing shelves and cabinets, and just general disorganisation. Be sure to do a deep clean and declutter your home before the photographer arrives so it appears spacious and tidy in every shot.
Distorted Images
Fisheye lens shots that curve straight lines and elongate spaces are generally unappealing to buyers browsing listings. Again, distortion makes it tough for them to realistically perceive the home’s layout and room proportions too.
While wide angle shots can capture more area, it’s usually better for property photographers to take photos from further back. This way spaces appear accurately represented without visually tricking the buyer.
Forced Perspectives
Speaking of visually misleading buyers, forced perspective is another photographic technique that often backfires. This is when the camera angle makes rooms look much larger than they truly are in real life.
While you might assume exaggerating room sizes is helpful, buyers feel deceived when the actual property doesn’t match what they saw online. Trustworthiness is crucial, so insist on true-to-life photography angles.
Neglecting Exteriors
In their haste to showcase stunning interiors, some photographers fail to appropriately feature a home’s exterior and outdoor spaces as well. But U.K. buyers are savvy; they know the exterior shot may be their only impression before touring inside.
Curb appeal matters greatly when buyers browse listings online. Make sure photographers capture the full scope of your property inside and out. Don’t neglect patios, gardens, roof decks and other exterior details buyers want to see too.
Forgetting Floor Plans
While gorgeous photos might entice buyers, many won’t contact an agent or book a showing without seeing a floor plan first. This overhead map gives buyers crucial information that photos alone cannot.
Floor plans allow buyers to evaluate room adjacencies, space connectivity, overall layout and flow before visiting. So, insist photographers include accurate floor plans along with the professional photography.
Final Words
Securing stunning, realistic photography without these common mistakes can help your UK home listing stand out positively versus the competition. Avoid what buyers hate most by hiring experienced property photographers dedicated to showcasing your property in its best possible light. The images you choose really do make or break a potential sale in buyers’ eyes. This will ensure you do not have any photography mistakes that may put buyers off!