The power of great photography

SEBASTIAN Hipwood from Savills in Cirencester explains why well-timed, well-executed photography is so important when taking your property to market.

Summer has arrived and our local property market is in full swing.

Now is the time we see more buyers beginning their hunt for a new home, while vendors, aware that their property will have more kerb appeal under the summer sun, decide to sell.

Better weather inevitably means better photography, and it is common for vendors to hold off until now, precisely so that they can capture the best possible images of their home and garden.

Our advice for anyone planning a move in the next year is to take the photos now.

That way, if you decide to sell in the autumn or winter, you won’t be delayed by that one factor that sits outside of our control; the great British weather.

Good photography is fundamental.

With almost every property on the open market available to view and compare online at the click of a button, each one has a second, perhaps two at the most, to make an impression.

Strong photography also adds another element to the marketing campaign, opening up opportunities for editorial and exposure through picture-led social media platforms, such as Instagram.

As agents, we need the photography to drive buyers to pick up the phone, so we can do our job and sell the viewing.

Before choosing an agent it is worth taking a look at their offering online.

Look for one that uses photographs of well-lit rooms taken from the best angles and, where possible, shows the front of the house in full sunlight.

Beyond these basics, consider the extent to which the agent’s photography sells lifestyle.

Whether your prospective buyer is making the move from the capital or elsewhere, lifestyle is more often than not a key driver for househunters in our area.

Great photography offers a glimpse of the good life; whether that be ponies grazing in the paddock, a table set with wine glasses overlooking the gardens or, from inside, a well set-up shot of the sitting room to showcase countryside views.

Drone photography can be an excellent tool, but isn’t right for every property.

Talk to your agent about the pros and cons, they are best-placed to advise you on whether or not it will enhance your marketing.

We are confident that buyer sentiment will outlast the sunshine this year, but the best photographic opportunities will always be seasonal.

So plan ahead and strike while the iron – and sun – is hot.