professional, which costs $95 to $300, will sell faster and for more money, according to a Redfin study. The study showed that professionally photographed homes priced between $200,000 and $1 million sold for an average of $3,400 to $11,200 more than their listing price, and homes in the $400,000 range sold 21 days faster than homes photographed by an amateur. That’s a pretty good return on investment. Of course, even if you’re looking for renters, professional pictures will also draw in plenty of people, which means you’re more likely to get the right tenants — and quickly. If your budget is tight, and you have no choice but to photograph your property yourself, remember these tips: • If you use a smartphone, hold it horizontally, not vertically. • Take pictures during the day. Light the room by opening curtains and blinds and turning on overhead lights. Natural lighting will result in higher-quality, more appealing pictures. • Don’t shoot into the bright light of windows and doors, which will overexpose the rooms you want to see. • Clear rooms of clutter, pets, and kids before shooting. • Avoid outdoor pictures that include cars and boats. • Only photograph places that look great and will provide a marketing boost. • Take front, exterior shots at an angle, which will provide depth and interest. • Use editing software to brighten and crop photos. • In the case of a tenant whose lease is up, you need to market your property before they leave to minimize the
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