Panama City Beach, Florida, is a wonderful place to call home, thanks to its stunning gulf front location with a mix of high-rise condos and planned-unit developments. Locals are attracted to the tropical weather and beautiful beaches, with recreation galore, including fishing, boating, and kayaking. The city has a small-town feel and tremendous tourist appeal. You can find peaceful habitats in Conservation Park, paddle board on the calm waters in West Bay, and enjoy shopping, dining and entertainment at Pier Park.
When selling your Panama City Beach home, photos are one of the most critical aspects of creating a compelling listing. Buyers are highly visual and can instantly connect with a property based on its online presence and listing images without even reading the description. A beautiful visual presentation can make an impact in attracting potential buyers to schedule a viewing and gaining solid initial offers. Let’s explore real estate photography and how to use it to your advantage when selling your home. From tips and tricks to equipment recommendations, we’ll cover everything you need to know to capture stunning photos to help your home stand out in a hot market.
When selling your Panama City Beach home, photos are one of the most critical aspects of creating a compelling listing. Buyers are highly visual and can instantly connect with a property based on its online presence and listing images without even reading the description. A beautiful visual presentation can make an impact in attracting potential buyers to schedule a viewing and gaining solid initial offers. Let’s explore real estate photography and how to use it to your advantage when selling your home. From tips and tricks to equipment recommendations, we’ll cover everything you need to know to capture stunning photos to help your home stand out in a hot market.
Sell your home with amazing photos
Here’s how to take pictures of your house to sell:
Declutter
As you capture alluring real estate photos to grab the attention of your potential buyers, you need to set up a clean and sleek space. Start by thoroughly decluttering your home. An organized space looks more visually appealing and can help buyers imagine the purpose and function of each living area.
When decluttering, remove personal items such as photos, excess decor, and knick-knacks that can make a space feel cluttered and distracting. Make sure to clear all countertops and surfaces of any unnecessary items, and keep furniture to a minimum to maximize the perception of spaciousness in your photos. After all, if you plan on staging your home, it is much easier to remove all your belongings and start with a blank canvas.
When decluttering, remove personal items such as photos, excess decor, and knick-knacks that can make a space feel cluttered and distracting. Make sure to clear all countertops and surfaces of any unnecessary items, and keep furniture to a minimum to maximize the perception of spaciousness in your photos. After all, if you plan on staging your home, it is much easier to remove all your belongings and start with a blank canvas.
Home staging
Staging can make your home look more refined, impacting your real estate photos. The right staging efforts can create a neutral and welcoming space, allowing potential buyers to imagine their belongings in the home.
For staging, you can hire a professional or take a DIY approach. Regardless of which option you choose, make sure that your staging complements the style of your home and highlights its best features. For example, if you have high ceilings, you can hang large framed artwork to bring the eye up and emphasize the grandeur of the room. If you have a stunning terrace or private pool, remove the window treatments and arrange the furniture for an open flow.
For staging, you can hire a professional or take a DIY approach. Regardless of which option you choose, make sure that your staging complements the style of your home and highlights its best features. For example, if you have high ceilings, you can hang large framed artwork to bring the eye up and emphasize the grandeur of the room. If you have a stunning terrace or private pool, remove the window treatments and arrange the furniture for an open flow.
Hire a professional
The best way to ensure high-quality real estate photos is to hire a professional real estate photographer. They have the top-notch equipment and expertise to capture beautiful images showing off your home’s most desirable features. A professional photographer can also provide advice on staging and lighting to ensure your photos are an accurate representation of your home’s potential. Hiring a professional may seem expensive, but it is an excellent investment that can pay off with more interested buyers and a faster, more profitable sale.
Purchase a high-end camera
If professional photos are not an option, you can still get quality photos on your own with a high-end camera. Consider purchasing a DSLR camera for its high-resolution capabilities and flexibility with different lenses. Look up online tutorials or take photography classes to learn techniques regarding composition and lighting. It is important to remember to maximize natural light and use artificial lighting when necessary.
Open the curtains for natural light
Speaking of light, an essential element in capturing crisp real estate photos is lighting. In addition to using artificial lighting in dark or drab spaces, one easy and affordable way to improve your photos is to open all the curtains and blinds to maximize natural light. This will brighten up your rooms and make them appear more spacious and inviting. When photographing interiors, turn off any overhead lights to avoid color casts and harsh shadows.
Focus on the best parts of your home
When taking photos, focus on the best parts of your property. One of the first things potential buyers will see is the exterior of your home. Make sure to capture your home’s curb appeal, such as a well-maintained lawn or a charming front porch. As you move inside your home, focus on spacious rooms with natural light. Find desirable details like oversized closets, resort-style bathrooms, and open layouts instead of undesirable qualities like a small entryway or limited storage.
Watch your angles
Capturing the perfect shot of your home is not just about the staging and lighting. Camera angles are equally important in making your property look its best. Taking photos from waist height or standing behind furniture can make rooms appear smaller than they are. Instead, stand in the corners of the room or hold the camera above eye level to showcase each space’s full size and depth. You want to capture as much architectural detail as possible.
Don’t use all the photos
You will likely take dozens of photos, but not all will be necessary for your online listing or marketing material; use only the best images. Review all the photos taken and select the ones that highlight your home’s most impressive features. Consider getting a second opinion from an agent, friend, or family member. These images will be what potential buyers see first, so it is critical to make a positive impression.
Use the RAW picture format
When reviewing your photos, use the RAW image format. RAW format captures all the data that comes through the camera’s sensor, producing images with higher resolution and more detail. This can be especially useful when editing your photos and adjusting the color balance, brightness, and contrast. By photographing in RAW format, you have more flexibility in adjusting the final image to create an eye-catching photo.
Consult a local real estate expert for your home sale
A local real estate professional can connect you with top real estate photographers in your area based on their expertise and knowledge. In fact, a trusted agent can help orchestrate every aspect of your home sale for a seamless and stress-free experience.
The Duran Group is a top Panama City Beach real estate team dedicated to personalized services and accurate market knowledge. Meet the team and learn more about selling your home with The Duran Group today.
*Header photo courtesy of Craig Duran
The Duran Group is a top Panama City Beach real estate team dedicated to personalized services and accurate market knowledge. Meet the team and learn more about selling your home with The Duran Group today.
*Header photo courtesy of Craig Duran
