A man capturing a photograph of a beautiful house with his camera.

Why Professionally Photographed Homes Sell Better

  • Maggie Keats
  • 05/15/23

Port Washington and Sands Point are stunning neighborhoods on the North Shore of Long Island, New York. Known for their pristine waterfront views, upscale homes, and proximity to high-end restaurants and shops, these areas provide locals with a little bit of everything. This makes them highly desirable locations, and as a result, the real estate market in these areas is very competitive.

As a homeowner looking to sell, you stand to benefit from high demand resulting in multiple offers and waived contingencies. But while demand has driven prices up in Sands Point, Port Washington homes have declined in recent months, with homes typically selling just below asking price. Sellers who want top dollar on their properties must ensure their homes stand out.

If you plan on selling Sands Point or Port Washington real estate, hiring a professional photographer is one of the best ways to ensure your home draws in buyers. With most buyers heading online to find houses, high-quality photographs can make all the difference in securing the perfect sale.

Professional photos show off staging

Even in a seller’s market, home staging matters. Home stagers strategically arrange a home’s furniture and decor to highlight its most appealing features. By decluttering and depersonalizing the space, home stagers create an environment where buyers can more easily imagine themselves living there. Staging fosters a stronger emotional connection in buyers, and has proven to help homes sell faster and for higher prices than their unstaged counterparts.

Homeowners can attempt to stage their homes themselves, but it’s a time-consuming process. Hiring a professional stager removes stress and ensures your home is staged to its fullest potential. Since professional home stagers understand what buyers want, they can create a more cohesive and visually appealing final product.

While staging is crucial to showcasing a home's potential, it only achieves its full impact when displayed through a homeowner’s online listing page. It can be challenging to capture the full effect of staging through photos taken on a smartphone or point-and-shoot camera, and this is where professional photography becomes invaluable.

A professional photographer has the skills and equipment to capture a space in the proper lighting and from all the best angles. Professional photography can increase buyer interest and ultimately lead to a faster sale — they spice up listing pages, social media sites, and brochures to attract more buyers.

Professional photos enhance the listing

If you’re listing Sands Point luxury real estate online, professional photography will only serve to enhance your page. In today's market, nine out of 10 buyers start searching on the internet, meaning how your home is presented online can significantly impact its marketability and the speed of its sale.

A stunning listing page always provides accurate, detailed information about the home, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, and unique features. It should be well-written, engaging, and error-free, but images make or break your online listing. High-quality photos will allow a buyer to connect with the property and do a preliminary “walk-through” to see how each room flows to the next.

Professional photos can showcase the home's unique features, such as its beautiful hardwood floors, new granite countertops, or recently renovated patio. Images can set the tone for the home, whether you want it to feel cozy and inviting or modern and innovative. Buying a home is a highly personal choice. If a buyer can connect emotionally to your property online, they’ll be more likely to attend a viewing in person and submit an offer.

They capture attention instantly

Always account for curb appeal when listing Port Washington real estate. Curb appeal refers to the visual attractiveness of a property as viewed from the curb, and it is an essential aspect of selling any stand-alone property. A home’s curb appeal is its first impression, and potential buyers are often drawn to homes with beautiful exteriors that suggest the properties are well-maintained and cared for.

If you’re listing homes for sale in Port Washington or a Sands Point luxury estate, you can achieve excellent curb appeal in a few ways. First, it’s crucial to maintain a manicured lawn and landscaping by keeping your grass trimmed, pruning shrubs and trees, and adding colorful flowers or plants. From there, refreshing the exterior paint or siding and repairing any visible damage or wear will make your home feel new. Don’t forget to update any exterior fixtures and lighting or replace windows and doors if worn or outdated. These changes can go far when enhancing a home's appearance and value.

Then, professional photographers ensure a home’s curb appeal is showcased correctly. A professional photographer will know how to capture the full scope of the property, from the landscaping and architecture to any more minor details that make the exterior pop. Buyers drawn to a home’s exterior will often be more enticed to click on the listing and view the interior.

How much better do they sell?

Professional photography significantly affects selling a home across the country and within the Port Washington and Sands Point markets. A study by the National Association of Realtors found that 85% of homebuyers who searched for a home online found photos to be the most helpful feature of the listing. Similarly, according to a study by VHT Studios, professionally photographed homes sold 32% faster than homes photographed with a point-and-shoot camera.

Professional photography is even more critical in Port Washington and Sands Point, where luxury properties are in high demand. The stunning waterfront views and unique architecture of homes in these communities must be captured in the best possible way to attract high-end buyers. A professional photographer can create a visual story that encourages views and offers.

Are you ready to start preparing your home for the market? If so, contact experienced local Realtor Maggie Keats for expert guidance. Maggie specializes in listings throughout Long Island, helping clients like you sell their homes for max profit at minimum stress. Reach Maggie today as your next step toward a successful sale.



Work With Maggie

Working with North Shore’s Maggie Keats means you’re working with the #1 producer on Long Island and getting an unparalleled level of dedication. Maggie is frequently mentioned in national and local media due to her extraordinary sales record and market expertise. If you’re looking for luxury Port Washington homes for sale or want to get the most value out of your Sands Point sales transaction, contact Maggie and get started on your North Shore real estate journey today.

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