sales and marketing

(for agents) how to make your property photos more attractive?

Was contemplating between two titles

(1) How to make your property photos more attractive?

(2) How to take better photos for your property?

Number (1) seems more appropriate for this article

Interior photography has become quite a norm for most agents these days. Some may be using their mobile phone camera (STOP DOING THAT!), whilst others may have invested in a conventional digital camera (the smaller type) and a small group has started investing in better equipments (the DSLRs and lenses).

The discussion today will not touch on which type of camera is better or more suitable (because we find that the choice is clear).

So, for today, we will talk about how to “make” your photos more attractive.

In a sense, yes, it’s about the first step of taking the photos, but also slightly more than just that.

The interior photos should tell a story, evoke a sense of desire from the viewer and initiate a call to action. A few basic points to take note of.

(1) The property should be clean and tidy before the photo shoot – as simple as this may sound, it’s often easier said than done (especially for properties that have occupants). There’s always going to be personal belongings, trash, boxes, etc, lying all over the place. It’s advisable to inform the owners 1 week before the photoshoot and let them know what you need done, in order to achieve the best results (after all, the photos are supposed to attract viewers that translate into sales, so it’s really to their benefit (in monetary sense) if they clear things away.

(2) Time of photo shoot should be either early in the morning or just before sunset. The external (natural) lighting for these two periods of time are optimal for photography. A lot of photos have over-exposed window shots (outside of windows looking very bright), so these two periods of time will help reduce the over-exposure (in a way, balancing the lighting within the property and outside).

(3) Composition of the shot (aka framing the shot) is an important factor because this is basically how you tell the story.

Within each photo, you are trying to either show a lot, or draw focus on one thing. The shooting positions (high, low, left, right, straight on) will also affect the outcome and feel of the photo.

A high position is good as a “birds eye view / top-down plan view” type of photo, allowing the viewer to see the open complete layout.

A low position is good as a “as if you were there” type of photo, as it provides a sense of the interior as though the viewer is physically standing / sitting there. Adding to a low position, you can provide a feeling of depth by having foreground and background subjects.

Left / right skewed photos can help to give a spacious feel to the interior whilst a straight-on shot will  typically be your primary photo (the ONE featured photo) that attracts viewers to click into the webpage to see more.

(4) Having a tripod is very useful since interior photography is really considered “still photography” and there’s usually insufficient lighting within the property. You will want to allow for a low ISO (less noise), slower shutter speed (meaning – aperture opens up for longer period of time to let in more light) but not have blurry photos, so placing the camera on a tripod or alternative (chair, table, stool, etc) will prevent blur in your photos.

(5) For real estate agents, most will go for wide (or far shots) so as to cover as much of the room space as possible. It may also be good to collect a number of near shots for emphasis on particular interesting key subjects (brands, appliances, points, flooring finish, etc). Since it’s digital these days, it’s free anyway.

sales and marketing

Are we facing the same problems as the US? (listing syndication)

Are Singapore real estate agents & agencies also facing similar problems? Have the syndications actually helped or worsened the sales results and leads generation?

In Singapore, we do have some similar MLS syndications as well. Should more be done about these?

Potential buyers and tenants are browsing through so much repeated listings online that it’s difficult to find the real listing agent anymore. Maybe there should be a sign / award / logo – given only to the original listing agent(s), and that can help consumers to differentiate between the “originals” and the “re-posters”.

Just fyi, yes … our property listings are originals =)

sales and marketing

Will QR codes take off for real estate marketing?

First, for those who are not familiar with QR Codes, here’s a short passage from Wikipedia for you

A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) first designed for the automotive industry. More recently, the system has become popular outside of the industry due to its fast readability and large storage capacity compared to traditional UPC barcodes. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be made up of four standardized kinds (“modes”) of data (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, Kanji), or by supported extensions virtually any kind of data.

Created by Toyota subsidiary Denso Wave in 1994 to track vehicles during the manufacturing process, the QR code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. It was designed to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.

Now, we are starting to see more retail shops using QR codes for marketing in banners, brochures, mainly print ads.

Will QR code take off for real estate as well? As a marketing tool … probably not

As a “communication” tool? … actually quite likely

What’s the purpose of a QR Code?

QR codes will allow you to use the coded image on online & print media and can guide your viewers (target audience) to an online platform, be it webpage, youtube video, facebook, tweet, contact page, submission page, vCard download page, etc. The uses are many, but you need to decide what to use it for in each instance.

So how does that help me as a real estate professional?

The old method was to link a print ad or brochure to a web address (usually a rather long one).

Now, rather than to show your audience a chain of web address or asking them to visit so-and-so website (which they will likely forget by the time you finish the conversation), you can now have this code printed on your marketing media (brochures, namecards, banners, t-shirt, etc) and allow your audience to easily retrieve information or perform other specific actions that your marketing strategy was focused on.

For example, you would like people who drive by the property to contact you for viewing

- the conventional method – you place your banner with your name & contact number
- using QR Code – a code is printed onto your banner – potential client scans the code (because he is enticed by the words “VIEW THE INTERIOR PHOTOS”, is then brought to a webpage that displays the photos (including your personal photo as well) and your contact details and can submit an online “viewing request form” to contact you for queries or set a date/time for viewing.

Will it necessarily result in a successful closing?

No, it will not! But what it does is to auto-prequalify the client (sort of). With price, size, photos and other details listed clearly, any interested party who calls will more likely already know what to expect and your job now is to impress them with your salesmanship and answer any further queries they may have.

It’s not a closing tool — technically, it’s not even a marketing tool … it’s a communication tool, rather similar to facebook, twitter, and the other social media platforms out there right now … these technologies and tools weren’t made for selling things. They are made for “engaging” with your friends and customers so that they think of you first … when they are thinking of buying (or selling).

Another interesting use for the QR code is to print these onto your namecards and it serves 3 purposes;

(1) it’s a talking point,

(2) it’s easier for your client to download your particulars into his smartphone,

(3) it makes you look IT savvy

Try this code below for a sample vCard

sales and marketing

Tips on property interior photography for home owners and property agents

We have been shooting property interior photos for marketing for a few years. Previously, we were using consumer compact cameras (plus wide angle convertors plus 360 pano stitching for virtual tours) and have managed to achieve some pretty decent shots that have helped to illustrate the condition of the properties to our clients. But we felt the photos have always had issues with sharpness, lighting and the angle of view was still not wide enough to give a clear perspective of how spacious the properties really are.

Over the last few months, we have improved our equipments and invested in better cameras, accessories and software to improve our interior photography, helping to make the properties we market as attractive as possible.

We believe good quality property interior photography is useful for marketing (especially online where so many buyers and tenants are starting their search from) and the whole process also helps home owners and our own agents to better understand what else need to be done to prepare a house for showing.

The higher quality of the photos will help to attract more interested viewers to the property, generate greater awareness, and hopefully result in a better chance to close at a higher price and a shorter time.

Our photography sessions have really started becoming a “preview and evaluation” session, whereby we can help to point out certain furniture arrangements, accessories, colours, lightings that can better improve the feel and view of the property.

For instance, even though some items in the house may be “part and parcel” of daily life (e.g. stand fan, unsightly pails, boxes, books) but colours, design, placement are really out of sync with the rest of the furniture in the house. So re-arranging or storing them away during the photo-shoot and thereafter showing the owners and agents the effect of such changes can help convince all parties that it is necessary to place these items out of the way when there is a home-showing.

Here are some useful tips for home owners before photo-shoot;

1. Curtains – tie back day and night curtains (if you have a nice view), or at least night curtains
2. Key furniture (such as sofa / dining / bed) – arrange to be directly under the ceiling lights (for better lighting on the furniture details and actually it just looks more correct)
3. Bedroom – mattress and covers – use neutral, solid prints rather than some cutesy, “cartoony” prints. Simple lines or floral prints will do fine as well and try to hide away personal effects (for privacy)
4. Bathroom – make sure it’s fully cleaned, laundry cleared away, okay to leave some nice looking glass bottles (hide away cheapo looking plastic bottles), better to hide away personal toiletries
5. Kitchen – clear mess, store away unnecessary bottles and whatever-not into cupboards, and make sure the appliances are sparkling clean
6. Study desks – make tidy and store away unnecessary items

One final tip

1. Turn on ALL the lights in the house during the photo-shoot (and also all appliances – sometimes the lcd display panels of the appliances can look quite nice in the photo as well)

Remember – when prospective buyers or tenants come to view the property, they are usually viewing a few units one after another, and it is absolutely essential to have your property looking the best among the competition and leave a good impression. Home owners and agents need to help the viewers “see” the beauty in the property. The viewers are not going to ask for permission to move the furniture, store things away to check how the spaces would look like.

Here are some of our latest property interior photos.

We provide free property photography for property owners who list their properties for sale or rent with us.

And here’s the number to call (65)9100-1090 if you are looking for a professional property agent in Singapore.

sales and marketing

2011 Brand New TOP Private Residential Properties in Singapore

Brand New Apartments / Condos / Houses to be completed in 2011, i.e. receive Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) in 2011.

Let us help you sell or rent your brand new property – Submit your Property Listing.

D01 – 08	Marina Collection	@	Cove Drive
D01 – 08	Teresa Villas	@	Bukit Teresa Road
D01 – 08	The Clift	@	Mccallum Street
D01 – 08	The Rochester	@	Rochester Drive
D09 – 10	8 Rodyk	@	Rodyk Street
D09 – 10	Belle Vue Residences	@	Oxley Walk
D09 – 10	Cityvista Residences	@	Peck Hay Road
D09 – 10	Cliveden @ Grange	@	Grange Road
D09 – 10	Martin Place Residences	@	Martin Place
D09 – 10	Nassim Park Residences	@	Nassim Road
D09 – 10	Parc Centennial	@	Kampong Java Road
D09 – 10	Scotts Square	@	Scotts Road
D09 – 10	Signature @ Lewis	@	Lewis Road
D09 – 10	The Luma	@	River Valley Grove
D09 – 10	Ventura Heights	@	Jalan Lim Tai See
D09 – 10	Wilkie Studio	@	Upper Wilkie Road
D11 & 21	Goldhill Residences	@	Goldhill Avenue
D11 & 21	Lucida	@	Suffolk Road
D11 & 21	The Cascadia	@	Bukit Timah Road
D11 & 21	The Greenwood	@	Greenwood Avenue
D12 – 14	Dunsfold Eighteen	@	Dunsfold Drive
D15 – 16	Breeze by the East	@	Upper East Coast Road
D15 – 16	Cantiz @ Rambai	@	Rambai Road
D15 – 16	Cubik	@	Telok Kurau Lor K
D15 – 16	Envio	@	Joo Chiat Place
D15 – 16	Melrose Ville	@	Rose Lane
D15 – 16	Naturalis	@	Telok Kurau Lorong M
D15 – 16	Ricchezza	@	Telok Kurau Lorong M
D15 – 16	Sunny Parc	@	Telok Kurau Lorong K
D15 – 16	The Ambrosia	@	Telok Kurau Lor N
D17 – 18	Aston Residences	@	Jalan Loyang Besar
D17 – 18	Livia	@	Pasir Ris Grove
D19 – 20	Charlton Villas	@	Charlton Lane
D19 – 20	D’Pavilion	@	Upper Serangoon Road
D19 – 20	The Florentine	@	Florence Road
D22 – 28	Greenvale @ Sembawang	@	Andrews Terrace
D22 – 28	Park Natura	@	Bukit Batok East Avenue 6
D22 – 28	The Hilloft	@	Jalan Dermawan

sales and marketing

FREE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR YOUR PROPERTY

FREE SERVICE FOR PROPERTY OWNERS

‘A PHOTO TELLS A THOUSAND WORDS’

WE PROVIDE FREE PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION FOR PROPERTY OWNERS WHO LIST PROPERTIES FOR SALE / RENT WITH US.

SUBMIT YOUR LISTING TODAY!

NICELY TAKEN PHOTOS WILL HELP GENERATE MORE INTEREST FOR YOUR PROPERTY.

HERE ARE SOME WORKING SAMPLES FOR YOUR REFERENCE;

• WING ON LIFE GARDEN – RENT
• SCOTTS SQUARE – RENT
• SPRING GROVE – RENT
• BUNGALOW @ TANGLIN AREA – RENT
• SOUTHBANK APARTMENT – SALE
• TERESA 8 – SALE
• THE OCEANFRONT – SALE

ADVANTAGES OF GOOD PHOTOGRAPHY FOR YOUR PROPERTY

• “SHOW OFF” YOUR PROPERTY IN THE BEST LIGHT
• MARKET ONLINE TO A WIDER POOL OF AUDIENCE
• PRE-QUALIFY VIEWERS – OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW PHOTOS BEFORE GOING TO PROPERTY FOR VIEWING SAVES BOTH PARTIES TIME & EFFORT
• TENANTED PROPERTIES – LESS DISTURBANCE TO YOUR TENANTS

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ARRANGING FOR A PHOTO SESSION FOR YOUR PROPERTY, PLEASE FILL IN THIS PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPHY SIGNUP FORM.

* PLEASE NOTE – BEFORE PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION, THE PREMISES SHOULD BE CLEANED AND TIDY SO AS TO LEAVE A GOOD IMPRESSION FOR YOUR ONLINE VIEWERS – MORE TIPS ON GETTING YOUR PROPERTY READY FOR MARKETING

SEE PROPERTY PHOTO MONTAGES – FROM STATIC PHOTOS & UPLOADED TO VIDEO SITES FOR MARKETING

sales and marketing

READY TENANTS – WANT TO RENT THESE APARTMENTS

WE HAVE CORPORATE TENANTS (BUDGET RANGING FROM $5,000 TO $20,000), SPECIFICALLY LOOKING TO RENT APARTMENTS IN THE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS

DISTRICT 01 TO 08

1. ICON
2. THE SAIL
3. MARINA BAY RESIDENCES
4. SOUTHBANK
5. CITYLIGHTS

DISTRICT 09 & 10

1. THE COSMOPOLITAN
2. RIVERGATE
3. ASPEN HEIGHTS
4. DRAYCOTT EIGHT
5. ARDMORE PARK
6. FOUR SEASONS PARK
7. ST REGIS
8. CUSCADEN RESIDENCES
9. GRANGE RESIDENCES
10. REGENCY PARK
11. WATERFALL GARDENS
12. SUITES AT CAIRNHILL
13. THE METZ
14. SUITES AT CENTRAL
15. 8 @ MT SOPHIA

DISTRICT 11

1. PARK INFINIA
2. NEWTON SUITES
3. NOVENA SUITES
4. RESIDENCES AT EVELYN

DISTRICT 15

1. THE SEAVIEW
2. SEAFRONT ON MEYER

DISTRICT 19

1. THE CHUAN
2. SUNGLADE
3. GOLDENHILL PARK
4. THE SPRINGBLOOM

OWNERS LOOKING TO RENT OUT YOUR APARTMENT, WE HAVE READY TENANTS FOR YOU, PLEASE FILL IN OUR PROPERTY SUBMISSION FORM.

CO-BROKE AGENTS SPECIALISING IN THE ABOVE-MENTIONED PROJECTS, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE US (contact@singaporerealestate.info) INTO YOUR MAILING LIST.

sales and marketing

The Scala (beside Lorong Chuan MRT)

MRT at your doorstep. Location of The Scala.

Massive 468 units! 17 storeys x 5 blocks.

Land size – 149,372sqft. Developed by Hong Leong.

Expected to complete 2014, 99 years leasehold, full condo facilities.

Within 1km of several good schools and walking distance from Australian International School.

Configurations (sizes in sqft)

1. 1 bedroom – 473 & 484
2. 2 bedrooms – 828 & 839
3. 2 + study – 893 & 904
4. 3 bedrooms – 1033 & 1055
5. 3 + study – 1108
6. 4 bedrooms – 1270

Nearby resale condos transactions

1. Chuan Park (99) ~ $720psf
2. The Springbloom (99) ~ $750psf
3. Chiltern Park (99) ~ $760psf
4. Amaranda Gardens (FH) ~ $1,050psf
5. Goldenhill Park (FH) ~ $1,100psf

PROMO > BUY A BRAND NEW PROPERTY, GET A FREE GIFT

THE SCALA @ LORONG CHUAN MRT

sales and marketing

Buy a brand new Property, get a Free Gift

Looking to buy a Brand New Apartment, Condominium in Singapore?

When you engage us as your representative agent to purchase the property from the developer, you will receive;

1. Study on property location, siteplan and floorplan analysis
2. Neighbourhood comparable prices
3. Advice on quality of finishes, recommended unit to purchase based on your specific purchasing intentions
4. Plus free gifts worth up to S$10,000*

Don’t worry, no obligations to buy.

Simply send us an email with the details below duly furnished and we will be in touch with you very shortly.

Details required

• Name -
• Phone -
• Email -
• Budget (S$) -
• Project Name -
• Size (sqft) -
• No. of Rooms -

* Terms & Conditions Apply

sales and marketing

Property Owners – Would you like to have your property listing well positioned in Google search results?

Dear Property Owners,

We now provide you with an easy way to get your property listing displayed within the first few pages of Google’s search results. It’s totally FREE FOR PROPERTY OWNERS to insert your property listings on our website.

An example

This property listing (the lumiere for sale) was inserted into our website on 11th June 2010. On 12th June, you can find the property listed on Page 2 of Google’s search results – “the lumiere for sale“.

Another listing example – a 3-bedder apartment in Proximo for rent (inserted into our website on 3rd June 2010). On 12th June 2010, results as follows.

Submit your property for sale or property for rent today.

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