We were out shooting some aerial photography of some crops for a client and found ourselves above this crop duster.  We spent an extra minute or two to get some shots of him flying from overhead.  Not everyday you see a crop duster from above!

Aerial photograph of a crop duster

We’ve all seen it – the long lists of properties available in multiple listing services.  The list grows even longer – especially in todays market for $1,000,000+ priced homes.  So what can you do to effectively market your listings and make them stand out from the rest?

1. Use quality photography! It’s no secret that many buyers of high end residential real estate are coming from out of the immediate area, out of state, or even out of country.  When they are looking through sites such as Realtor.com for their first look at what is available – do you think they even stop to look at listings that are missing a photo?  Of course not!  It stands to reason that a dark, crooked, grainy or otherwise poor photo won’t attract their attention to your listing either.  There’s simply too much to chose from to waste their time on a property that isn’t presented well photographically.

2. Search for the best visual impression options available.  Don’t get stuck with the “old standard” just because you’ve always used it.  Many agents are using virtual tours that were developed nearly a decade ago, are still printing flyers in black and white and are taking their own photos in a poorly lit room with a point and shoot camera.  This isn’t what a high dollar listing deserves!  Take a few moments to check out the latest in photographic and online visual presentations such as what you can see here and get out of the rut!

3. Understand the move away from printed media and the power of online presence.  Printed media still has a place (small as it may be) in real estate marketing – but it is no longer the primary method.  Check out this post from searchenginewatch.com: “only 2 percent (of those surveyed) are using the Internet less while 52 percent have turned away from telephone directories. Aside from wondering what’s happening with that 2 percent, I would think losing half its audience would be something traditional phone book publishers might be concerned about.” It’s the same scenario with real estate – people are turning away from the old printed methods and forms of advertisement and are turning to the convenience of their computer to look for and connect with their future home.

4. Provide something unique.  You’re competing with a whole lot of other agents out there who are all offering very much the same thing.  Understandably, most agents keep a close eye on their pocketbook, as well they should since the payoff doesn’t come until the listing sells!  However, if you can offer something to set yourself apart from the crowd, you’ll attract more sellers and inspire confidence in those you already have.  Offer aerial photos of all your listings, hire a professional stager to look at and stage each listing, offer a stunning single property website that engages potential homebuyers visually and emotionally.  It may cost a little extra depending on what you choose to set yourself apart from the crowd – but the result will be just that – you’ll STAND OUT from the rest by offering some the rest aren’t willing, able, or interested enough in to offer.

5. Spend your dollars where they keep working for you.  Often times real estate agents will spend several hundred dollars on printed media advertisements in a variety of places such as the popular Homes and Land Magazine, local newspapers, full color flyers etc.   While spending some serious dollars on the ads, they use photos that don’t deserve a place in a shoebox let alone a place in a magazine marketing a million dollar + home!   Ensure you invest in good photography because it will be the first impression that any potential buyer sees no matter what media it is used in.  You can use the photo over and over for printed ads or online and you usually only pay for it once.  You don’t have to spend a lot, but a high end home deserves a marketing plan and a marketing budget that is worth the home’s value.

Tim Ray

- Tim Ray is a real estate photographer who admits he has a biased opinion but still likes to think it will be helpful.  Tim Ray and Vantage Point Imagery, LLC have provided aerial photography, real estate photography and quality virtual tours for some of Colorado’s top residential and commercial real estate agents for nearly 4 years. -

Check out our latest virtual tour done for Karen Miller of RE/MAX Professionals.  This $2.6 million home in Parker sits on 35 wooded acres, has 5 floors and even an elevator!  Check it out at www.10625WoodHavenRidge.com

We’re currently launching our new blog – but you can check out our work in the meantime at Vantage Point Imagery’s website under “Virtual Tours” from the homepage here: http://www.VantagePointImagery.com