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Rainmaker
5,031,426
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Most of mine are taken by a professional photograher.

Jan 17, 2016 11:00 PM
Rainmaker
2,296,957
Michael J. Perry
Fathom Realty - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

In today's real estate world -Photos are the primary source of buyer inquires !!!

Jan 17, 2016 11:01 PM
Rainmaker
1,795,354
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

I use pro Nikon Equiment and have many agents begging me to sell my services to them. 

Jan 18, 2016 08:49 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,589
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I have $2000 worth of camera gear and have taken classes on how to use it.

More than paid for itself

Jan 18, 2016 07:24 AM
Rainmaker
4,697,872
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Anthony Acosta You are right, listing pictures should be professionals.

Jan 18, 2016 06:45 AM
Rainmaker
1,706,694
Inna Ivchenko
Equity Union - Calabasas, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC • Short Sale • Probate

Yes, some are, but it is an advantage for those of us who like present our clients with quality and class. 

Also, if one hired a discounted broker, what else they expect to get? 

Jan 18, 2016 05:42 AM
Rainmaker
5,775,263
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Anthony,

We recommend professional photography, and someone who is really knowledgeable in real estate and architecture.  A

Jan 18, 2016 03:30 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,329
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Having good photos can make the difference between a home sitting on the market and being sold in a few days. I do have to admit that my new iphone has an excellent camera but I only use it to help me remember features about a home.

Jan 18, 2016 03:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,590,495
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Only for super high end properties, or hard to shoot ones due to lighting.  I acutally have a high definition camera on my phone, so those come out far better than my actual camera.  I also have a couple decades of practice at this and "an eye for it."  No complaints about photos in the 30 years my broker has been doing this or the 15 years I've been taking photos for him!

Jan 18, 2016 02:31 AM
Rainmaker
1,209,377
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

I stink at taking good pictures.  Amanda is better at it than I am, but we both think hiring a photographer makes a difference in both presentation and professionalism.  

Here is an example of our photographer's work. 

Jan 18, 2016 02:16 AM
Rainmaker
5,664,190
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

If it is a home about 200000 I use a professional.

Jan 18, 2016 01:58 AM
Rainmaker
5,590,200
Barbara Todaro
Keller Williams Elite - Franklin, MA
"connecting land with builders"

the agents I market for take their own photos with good quality cameras.... and I get nice clear, crisp photos....

Jan 18, 2016 01:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,857
FN LN
Toronto, ON

I have seen some people take excellent photos with their phone. 

Jan 18, 2016 12:52 AM
Rainmaker
1,300,733
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Sometimes it is a Google map image so the agent will not pay $200 penalty.

As for me I am a virtual tour photographer. There is no charge.

Jan 18, 2016 12:46 AM
Rainmaker
8,674,764
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

There is no good excuse for poor quality photographs when marketing real estate. This is one of the considerations when selecting a listing agent.

Jan 18, 2016 12:35 AM
Rainer
224,128
LUXURYSOCALREALTY COMPASS La Jolla
Compass - La Jolla, CA
San Diego Partner - The Private Client Network

Absolutely even rentals

Jan 18, 2016 12:10 AM
Ambassador
3,560,095
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Yes, however based on list price I may not use the professional. I take most of my own photos.  I agree, many MLS photos are just shameful.

Jan 17, 2016 11:45 PM
Rainmaker
618,135
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Anthony,
Except for sold “as is” properties we always use an excellent professional photographer. We also have a drone photographer.

Jan 17, 2016 11:42 PM
Rainmaker
797,707
Liz Wallace
Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY
Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

I want my Agents to hire a professional.  I have issues with cheap or lazy Agents.

Jan 17, 2016 11:37 PM
Rainmaker
957,375
Jeff Pearl
Realty One Group Capital / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

No, but I try to take my own quality photos, and I use a camera, not a phone.

Jan 17, 2016 11:24 PM
Rainer
321,664
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

Yes, we use a professional photographer for listings. A local company that also shares and uploads video. 

Jan 17, 2016 11:22 PM
Rainmaker
1,713,681
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

In some cases I do use a pro, in others I use my Nikon DSLR with upgraded wide angel lens. iPhones are better than most point and shot cameras so use a pro or a great camera.

Jan 17, 2016 11:15 PM
Rainer
80,758
Linda Guess
Keller Williams Tri-Lakes Branson, MO - Branson, MO
Branson area real estate sales.

I have a good camera and take my own photos.  This is pretty common in my area.

Jan 17, 2016 11:13 PM
Rainmaker
1,574,766
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

It depends on the listing location and price range.  Regardless it will be a good picture!

Jan 17, 2016 11:13 PM
Ambassador
5,354,966
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Most of the time, yes

Jan 17, 2016 11:10 PM
Rainmaker
5,278,026
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I do use a professional for our listings.

Jan 17, 2016 11:09 PM
Rainmaker
1,231,903
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Always took my own photos as do most agents in Erie, but our market is not big city.

Jan 17, 2016 11:05 PM
Rainmaker
716,090
Jeffrey Jones
AZ Home Seekers - San Tan Valley, AZ
AZ Home Seekers, azhomeseekers.com

we have a professional camera for our photos, but do hire out high end listings to be professionally shot

Jan 17, 2016 11:04 PM
Rainer
42,720
Fred Hafdelin
Weichert Realtors - Mountain Lakes, NJ

Always. I want to give my sellers every advantage possible and have found that professional photos really help.

Jan 17, 2016 11:03 PM
Rainmaker
1,678,196
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

We bought a professional camera and learned how to use it properly for our marketing.  

Jan 17, 2016 11:00 PM
Ambassador
7,195,565
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Sometimes.

Apr 07, 2019 10:33 PM
Rainmaker
1,280,998
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Generally we use a professional photographer. Sometimes we use our own camera. We never use our phones!

Sep 10, 2016 01:25 AM
Rainmaker
6,416,405
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

I do hire a professional photographer for 99% of my listings.  I want to showcase a new listing with the best photos I can.  

Jan 18, 2016 11:29 PM
Ambassador
2,772,377
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

    Only on high-end or luxury houses.   I will not spend several hundred dollars to photograph a 99K townhouse.

     Having said that:  I would never use a smartphone to take listing photos. I have an Olympus for the low-end houses.

Jan 18, 2016 01:36 PM
Ambassador
3,267,874
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

depends on the property.  There's a price point where I hire, but for others I have a great full frame camera and have taken enough classes that they look nice.

Jan 18, 2016 01:11 PM
Rainmaker
774,029
Sharon Kowitz
CRS-SRES-ABR-GRI-E-Pro-CREN ~ COMPASS RE - Cary, NC
Cary, NC Relocation Specialist ~ Buying or Selling

Yes, I think it looks unproffesional when a phone, or low quality picture is used!

Jan 18, 2016 12:17 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,458
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Yes, I do, and they are so ridiculously inexpensive...

Jan 18, 2016 10:42 AM