6 Spring Real Estate Photoshoot Strategies to Take MN Gray to YAY!

There’s no reason why gray weather should put a damper on a potential buyer’s reaction to your home. While you will read again and again that you should wait for a sunny day with clear blue skies to take photos for your listing, you may be waiting awhile. Minnesota springs can sometimes feel like living in Seattle. Luckily, there are workarounds and other tips that can turn gray photos into a buyer’s dream.

Listing photos are the first impression buyers will have of your home. Good pictures can be the difference between a showing or a no-show, so put your best photos forward with these tips to help photograph your house for a sale when it’s gray in Minnesota.

1. Use a Professional Photographer

Professional photographers know what they’re doing, and they offer high-quality photos. When sellers use a professional photographer, the listing averages twice as many views, and the home can sell 50% faster.

A professional can take the guesswork out of your photo shoot. Real estate photographers know what angles work best and what features to highlight. Professional photography is included with every listing we put on the market. It’s vital in today’s market!

2. Check the Weather

While blue skies are beautiful, gray skies can create striking photos. Avoid the rain though, and skip days that show puddles or standing water around your house.

Overcast skies can actually reduce distracting shadows or intense brightness that can highlight imperfections. In fact, often interior and exterior photos often look a lot better than blue-sky, noon-time photos.

3. Use a Sky Replacer

Some professional photographers can reimagine the weather and replace a gray sky with a bright blue one, helping buyers focus on the beauty of your home, rather than cloudy conditions. Many sellers choose this option. Why? Buyers are purchasing your house, not the weather. We include a blue sky guarantee with all our listings!

4. Avoid Anything that May Discourage a Showing

Powerlines are often a problem when photographing properties. You may not even notice them in person, but they could be a deterrent for some buyers. Get a shot as wide as you can to photograph the outside of your home. Avoid any potential eyesores, including your neighbor’s houses, so the focus remains on your property alone.

5. Highlight Unique Selling Features

Do you love the view of your backyard from your family room? Buyers will too! Including unique features in your listing gives viewers the feeling of what it’s really like to live in your home. Take photos of new light fixtures, high ceilings, custom cabinets, etc., to make your real estate listing stand out.

6. Give Buyers a Taste of Your Neighborhood

Because buyers look through pictures before reading a property’s description, use photos to highlight any surrounding amenities. Add a few images of places nearby that make your neighborhood amazing, including parks, restaurants, the library, and natural areas. Don’t go overboard, but if your area is known for one of these, don’t be shy about it.

7. Take Photos from Varying Angles and Give Yourself Options

Sometimes the best real estate photos require unique perspectives. Have fun, get low, then pull out the ladder. Walk to the road, or to the back of your property, and snap some shots from there.

Choosing the right photos can be trickier than taking them, and having options can make a huge difference. Don’t hesitate to push the button and release the shutter.

American photographer Berenice Abbot is quoted as saying, “Photography helps people to see,” and your potential buyers need to see themselves living in your house. Great photos set your listing apart from the rest and attract the right offer for your home. Embrace your inner photographer or hire a professional and let’s get to work selling your house in Minnesota this spring.

Image credit: marchello74 | iStock | Getty Images Plus