Six features to look for in high-quality real estate listings

When looking for a home online, 89% of home buyers said that photos were the most crucial factor in their decision to progress with the property. High-quality imaging that not only shows off a property in its best light but also tells its unique story through a lens really sells a property, with images that speak volumes, providing clarity, context, and a hook that pulls buyers in.

Good real estate photos do more than just showcase rooms—they enhance features, highlight unique qualities, and create an emotional pull. And let’s not forget about the practical side: well-executed images can help a listing rise above the noise, attracting more views and, ultimately, more offers. Here’s a rundown of what makes for top-notch real estate photos that are sure to catch the eye of your next potential buyer.

1. Capturing high-resolution images

High resolution in real estate photos refers to images that maintain their clarity and detail even when viewed on large screens or when printed. Typically, this means photos with a high pixel count, offering a finer representation of the property. High-resolution images are crucial because they can show potential buyers exactly what they’re getting into without leaving anything to the imagination.

Why high-resolution images are a game-changer for listings

Think of high-resolution images as your lead performers in the showroom of a listing. They capture the intricate details, from the natural grain of hardwood floors to the lushness of a well-maintained garden, that lower-resolution photos might blur or miss entirely.

Crisp, clear images enable buyers to better imagine themselves in the home, which can quickly turn interest into desire.

How to capture high-resolution real estate photos

Investing in the right tech allows for consistent quality, and you don’t need to be a trained photographer to make the most of it. Cameras designed for real estate use are ideal for both individuals and agencies.

Using a tripod to eliminate camera shake and ensure all your photos are sharp and clear.

Investing in high-resolution images can significantly impact how quickly you sell a home and at what price. They speak of professionalism and commitment to quality, reassuring potential buyers that they’re making the right choice – so make every pixel count.

2. Get the lighting right

Lighting isn’t just a component of photography; it’s the backbone. The right lighting can transform an ordinary room into a welcoming space that beckons buyers. It affects not only the brightness and darkness of photos but also the mood, tone, and feel they convey. Good lighting highlights the best features of a home, obscures flaws, and generally makes a space more appealing and vibrant in photos.

How lighting affects real estate photo quality

Natural lighting: This is generally the more popular option, as it offers a soft and even look that can make spaces feel larger and more open. It provides the most accurate representation of colours and textures in a space.

Artificial lighting: This can be controlled and manipulated to suit the needs of the shoot, which is invaluable in rooms with poor natural lighting. It’s also necessary for shooting interiors during night time or in rooms with very small windows.

Tips for optimal lighting in real estate photos

Maximise natural light: Open all curtains, blinds, and doors to let in as much natural light as possible. Try to schedule photo shoots for times when sunlight is at its peak brightness in the home. Investing in tech that enhances every

Use the right time of day: Shoot exteriors when the sun is low in the sky, either early morning or late afternoon, to avoid harsh midday shadows and get a warm, glowing light. Alternatively, invest in tech that allows you to apply blue skies, always showing properties on their best day.

Enhance with artificial lighting: Turn on all interior lights to add warmth and depth to your photos, especially in areas not well-lit by natural light. Be mindful of the colour temperature of bulbs — use white or daylight bulbs for the best colour representation.

Be mindful of the weather: On very sunny days, be wary of direct sunlight, which can cause glare and harsh shadows. Cloudy days are ideal for their natural diffusion of sunlight, providing even lighting that can help minimise imperfections.

The right lighting is essential in creating vibrant, appealing photos that can catch a buyer’s eye. Illuminate wisely, and watch as your listings light up the market.

3.Staging and composition

The art of staging a property listing

Staging a home for photography is about finding the right balance between fantasy and reality. The goal is to make the home look lived in, yet neutral enough to appeal to a broad audience. Good staging helps potential buyers imagine their own lives unfolding in the spaces, without the distraction of overly personal items from the current residents.

Neutral decor attracts more buyers. Using neutral tones and simple decor can help buyers envision themselves in the home, as they are not distracted by bold styles or personal artefacts.

Functional furniture placement showcases the flow of the space, making each room appear larger and easy to move through. This can be further enhanced in other marketing materials such as floor plans, with customised object placement options.

A few well-placed accessories can add charm and character to a room, but too many can feel cluttered. Choose items that complement the space without overwhelming it.

Composition techniques for real estate photos

The composition of a photo can draw viewers in through a natural flow and highlight the features of the property. Consistent use of some basic compositional techniques can improve the visual impact of any listing.

Rule of thirds: In this photography principle, an image is divided into nine equal segments by two vertical and two horizontal lines – this can be found under ‘grid view’ on a camera’s settings. Placing the key elements of your space along these lines or at their intersections makes the photo more balanced and allows the viewer to interact with it more naturally.

Leading lines: Use the natural lines of the house, such as hallways, fences, or beams, to lead the eye through the photo. These lines should draw the viewer’s gaze towards key features, giving them a better feel of a space.

Symmetry and patterns: Symmetry is pleasing to the eye, and using them in room shots can provide a sense of order and balance. Patterns, when used correctly, can add depth and interest to a photograph.

4. Using wide angles

Wide-angle lenses are a staple in real estate photography as they can capture more of a room in a single shot than a standard lens. By using a lens that can take in a greater field of view, photographers can make small spaces appear larger and more open, which is a key selling point in real estate listings.

With expansive views, wide-angle lenses allow you to capture not just the room but the way spaces flow together. This is particularly important for tight spaces, as a wide shot can help convey a sense of size and scale that might not be communicated otherwise.

They also enhance spatial awareness; by showing more of the environment in relation to other rooms or the outside, these lenses can help buyers understand the layout more intuitively.

How to use a wide angle lens for property photography

Real estate cameras are designed with capturing an entire room in one shot, and tech such as the Giraffe360 Go Cam has multiple angle options for home photography.

By placing the camera in the corner of a room and applying the composition techniques in the previous section, potential buyers can instantly gain understanding of an entire space.

This balance is key in creating appealing yet accurate representations of spaces, crucial for successful real estate listings.

5. Create an immersive experience with virtual tours

Virtual tours and 360º views provide potential buyers with a comprehensive, interactive exploration experience from the comfort of their homes. These tools allow viewers to navigate a property independently, giving them a realistic sense of the space, layout, and flow of the home.

See a virtual tour from Giraffe360 here

Virtual tours keep potential buyers on your listing longer, as they click through various rooms and angles, which builds a stronger engagement with the property. With a 360º view, tours set realistic expectations for buyers, which can lead to higher satisfaction with viewings and can decrease the number of physical viewers unlikely to make an offer.

Integrating property tours into online listings

Virtual tours and 360-degree views are powerful tools in the arsenal of real estate marketing, providing potential buyers with immersive, detailed experiences of properties and significantly boosting buyer interest and engagement.

Video generation: Creating a video walkthrough of your properties. Real estate software like Giraffe360 generates a video from virtual tours, allowing you to customise with voiceovers, music and more to provide a tailored walkthrough.

Use analytics: Use analytics tools provided by virtual tour platforms, such as Giraffe360, to track viewer engagement and gather insights on how to improve future tours.

Highlight virtual tours prominently: Make sure the virtual tour links are visible and easily accessible in the listing. A prominent button that says “Take a Virtual Tour” can direct traffic effectively.

6. Post-processing enhancements

Capturing a space isn’t the end of the photography process – it’s time to polish your images to ensure they look their best and truly capture the essence of the property. This stage is crucial not only for correcting lighting or colour issues, but also for ensuring the photos present the property in the most effective way possible.

Very few real estate professionals have the level of expertise required to edit raw photos, which is why many opt for services such as Giraffe360’s subscription. All images are processed to showcase properties in their best light, with simple to use customisation options available, or presets, for users to personalise the photos in line with their brand.

Virtual tours and floor plans are stitched together behind the scenes, removing the need for additional team members to edit panoramic images and draw plans; an ideal setup for a small agency or individual agent. With fast turnaround times, agents can get properties to market quickly.

Want to learn more about creating consistent, high-quality listing materials including photography, virtual tours, floor plans and video? Book a demo with Giraffe360 today.