upfront fees: professional pictures

KELY

We're in the process of putting our house on the market and have had Db roberts out to us and they've given a price of £200 excluding vat to be paid upfront for professional pictures, floor plan and epc report. They
When I questioned it, they said they can take non professional pictures and epc for £75. Has anyone had non professional pictures taken, is there really a difference in what they can do?

Thank you all

googler

If you want a professional photographer, who will no doubt take longer, bring better gear, and take more care, why wouldn't you pay for their services?

However, 99% of getting your house photos looking good is in YOUR preparation. There's little or no value in getting a professional in if you've not cleaned the place, have left fridge magnets and post-it notes on the fridge, washing-up in the sink, damp towels over the edge of the bath, etc etc.

I strongly believe that anyone with a decent compact camera can produce decent photos IF the house is properly presented in the first place. You can get some improvement by tailoring lighting, exposure and post-processing, but that's the icing on the cake.

Adverse comments in these forums about 'estate agents' pictures' are usually matters that should have been attended to by the owner in the days before the photos were taken.

You could always ask the agent for examples which show what their professional can do, couldn't you?

TBagpuss

Where do you live? Have you spoken to other agents about their costs?

While it is normal to have to pay for the EPC (although often cheaper to source this yourself than via agents), I would expect photos and floorplan to be part of the standard service and not paid for separately.

Are these agents charging significantly less than other agents?
Have they shown you examples of other properties they have on the market with each type of picture so you can see whether there is a substantial difference?

If they want to charge separately for the photos, it is also worth checking whether you can provide your own photos if you wish, and indeed whether, if you pay through the nose for professional pictures, those pictures are yours (i.e. can you use them if you were to change agents later on)

The agents I've had experience of have all taken pictures with a fairly standard 'point and push' compact digital camera. A lot of how the pictures will look will depend on hoe the shots are taken - I would expect an agent to know what works (although obviously a lot don't, so always make sure you get to see the listing before it is printed / uploaded)

Little things like making sure the place is clean and uncluttered, thinking about whether doors should be open or closed, considering lighting etc are things you can do yourself.

KELY

Thank you. Yes you're right, just wondering what they could do different, because yes, they can only take pictures of what's in front of them. All clutter will be hidden. Thank you for advice.

Marktheshark

Well I knew someone trying to sell a house for 11 Months, the pictures looked small and squashed in.
I advised them to paint the walls matching neutral magnolia, set each room like a hotel with no junk and hire a proper photographer with a wide lens, to get some better pictures.
It cost them £300 for the pictures, they woman that did them was brilliant.
The rooms looked spacious, clean, bright.

The house sold within the week of the updated advert with several interested parties awaiting appointments for viewing .

It is all about that first online impression.
.

benjus

Just make sure you don't get any like these:
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/aug/20/terrible-real-estate-agents-photographs-excrement-horses-toilets-kitchen

(From http://terriblerealestateagentphotos.com/)

googler

benjus wrote: »

Just make sure you don't get any like these:
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/aug/20/terrible-real-estate-agents-photographs-excrement-horses-toilets-kitchen

(From http://terriblerealestateagentphotos.com/)

As I said above, how much of this is the EA's fault? Who owns the house? Who lives in the house?

More to the point, is there any proof at all that these photos were actually taken from property websites?

benjus

googler wrote: »

As I said above, how much of this is the EA's fault? Who owns the house? Who lives in the house?

More to the point, is there any proof at all that these photos were actually taken from property websites?

It was only intended as a bit of humour...

Using google reverse image search finds this listing for the Feb 14th post: http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/354-S-Myers-St_Burbank_CA_91506_M23555-19745 - whether they are all genuine I can't say...

rosie383

Not sure about pictures, but get your own EPC done for around £40.

jbainbridge

Surely the EA should be taking the best pictures they can ... it's in their own interest. I'd suggest looking at the pictures the other EAs use.

One of our local EAs is a member of the local photography club - it shows in his pictures!

ReadingTim

Given a non-professional is an amateur like you and I, why don't you have a go yourself, see how the snaps come out, and think how happy you'd be with those as your advertising medium?

Suggest you take some pictures on a cheap compact or even a smartphone, download them to your computer and have a long hard look at how well they come out. If they're a bit lacking, hire the pro!

Finally, think how many Rightmove ads you skip over due to poor photos.....quite a few I should imagine, unless you try some reverse psychology and advertise on this thread.....