Turning the lens on the rental

Every picture tells a story, so why not let your investment property tell a great one with beautiful imagery.

When it comes to attracting the right prospects to your property, first impressions matter. This first impression isn’t made when they first step through the door, nor is it made when they pull into the driveway. In fact, it’s likely they wouldn’t even be there had it not been for the images they have seen in the property’s advertising (whether it be online, print or in a real estate office window).

Thanks to the power of technology and the internet, potential tenants can view multiple properties in a short period of time without ever leaving their home, just as buyers do.

Quality imagery, whether it be still photos, 3D technology or video are a valuable but sometimes under-utilised marketing strategy when it comes to promoting rental properties. Engaging with potential tenants through the use of good quality images is likely to have a positive impact on the rate of enquiry a property receives.

Tenants are more likely to visit an open house if their first impression of the property is a positive one; and, according to a survey conducted by rent.com.au, 70% of renter respondents said a property’s photos were the number one decider when it came to searching for a rental property.

Photography is widely accessible but, as a property owner, you want the outcome to work for you by showing off your property in its best light.

Quality or quantity – a few great shots will help to highlight the best features of a property. Low quality photos, regardless of the number of them, still won’t ‘wow’ whoever is looking at them.

Good lighting is important – the time of day, weather and type of lighting can make a big difference. Experiment with framing shots and angles as these can help to enhance the size of a room.

Clean and de-clutter – this goes for both the internal and external of a property. Minimal styling or unfurnished are generally considered best. Lifestyle shots are best used only when the property marketing is ‘selling’ a certain lifestyle.

Floor plans – there’s not necessarily an art to this, but including a floor plan helps prospects to understand the layout of a property and is a welcomed feature.

Aerial shots/drone footage – these can paint the picture of a property in relation to what is surrounding it, for example shops, parks, beaches etc. They can also promote certain aspects of the property, depending on the angle.

The difference between a quick photo taken on your phone and a professional shot of your property can be considerable. Granted, the quality of camera phones on the market these days is impressive, but the skill involved in reflecting your property’s key features in a photograph and/or video can sometimes be missed with DIY.

Quality imagery, whether it be photography or video, will be able to capture your property in its best light and drive traffic to view your property, which is, after all, the primary goal when it comes to finding the right tenant or buyer.