Should I hire a real estate photographer before getting my home listed?

Yes, and the answers above are right that it pays for itself. Let me add the part that actually determines whether it does: the sequence, and what to order. Sequence first, because this is where sellers waste the money. Do not book the photographer until the house is genuinely ready. Photos are permanent. They get syndicated everywhere within minutes of going live and they follow the listing around the internet for as long as it exists. If you shoot on Tuesday and finish decluttering on Friday, you have paid a professional to document the worse version of your home. So the order is: declutter, depersonalize, deep clean, handle the small repairs, get the yard tidy, THEN shoot. And shoot on a day with decent light if you can, which your photographer will have opinions about. What to order, because most sellers accept the default package and leave value on the table. Photo count. Find out how many images your MLS allows and use most of them. A lot of listings run twelve photos when the allowance is far higher. Every room, plus the yard, plus the street view, plus anything that explains the layout. Buyers eliminate homes for what they cannot see as much as for what they can. A floor plan. This is the one almost nobody orders and it is the one I would fight for. Buyers use floor plans constantly now to work out whether a home fits their life before they will spend a Saturday on it. It is usually a modest add-on and it measurably increases serious showings rather than curious ones. Twilight shots, if the home shows well lit. Usually one hero image, and it is often the one that stops the scroll. Drone, if the lot, the setting or the view is part of the story. If you have a nice house on an ordinary lot, skip it. Ask whether your photographer is certified for commercial drone work. Video or a walkthrough tour, particularly if you expect out-of-area buyers. Two things worth saying plainly. Do not use phone photos. Not because they look amateur, though they do, but because the first impression online is now the entire showing decision. Your listing competes as a thumbnail against professionally shot listings, and it loses at that size before anyone reads a word. Ask who owns the images and whether the license covers use after the sale. It rarely matters, but it occasionally does. This is from 2021, when a hot market let some sellers get away with weak photos. That is much less true now, so if anything the advice has gotten stronger. I work in Los Angeles and the South Bay, and I am glad to help you find a good agent and a good photographer, wherever you are selling. Zoltan Peresztegi, Los Angeles and South Bay real estate professional

If you are using a realtor, typically the realtor will source the photographer for your property. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Yes. Professional photos are non-negotiable if you want to sell your home for the best possible price in the shortest amount of time. The overwhelming majority of buyers start their search online, and listing photos are the first thing they see. Dark, blurry, poorly composed phone photos make even a beautiful home look unappealing. Professional photos with proper lighting, wide-angle lenses, and edited for brightness and clarity make your home stand out in search results and attract more clicks, more showings, and more offers. Most listing agents include professional photography as part of their marketing package. If your agent doesn't offer it or wants to take the photos themselves with a phone, that's a red flag about the level of service you're getting. If you're selling FSBO and hiring a photographer yourself, expect to pay $150 to $400 for a standard photo package of 25 to 40 images. Some photographers also offer drone photos, video walkthroughs, and virtual tours for an additional fee. The investment is small relative to the impact it has on how your home is perceived online.

A professional real estate photographer can make a big difference in how your home looks online. Most buyers start their search on the internet and make quick judgments based on photos. High‑quality, well‑lit images taken with a wide‑angle lens can make rooms look more spacious, highlight architectural details and outdoor spaces, and capture the feel of your home in a way a smartphone often cannot. Professional photographers also know how to stage and compose shots, edit for brightness and color, and time the shoot for the best natural light. That said, you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune. Many full‑service listing agents include professional photography as part of their marketing package. If you’re selling on your own, you can compare quotes from photographers in your area; often the cost is a few hundred dollars and can pay for itself in a higher sale price and faster sale. Before the shoot, declutter, clean thoroughly, and make minor repairs so the photos showcase your home at its best. If your property is a fixer‑upper or land value only, simple photos may suffice.

Hello Michael, yes always do professional pictures I have a great photographer feel free to reach out to me and I will connect you. - Alfred

Hi Michael, Make sure you also get a 3D/Virtual Reality Tour like the Matterport system

No matter the market, your agent should always have a professional photographer to photos of your home. You never get a second chance at a 1st impression.

Not when your Real Estate Agent is also a Photographer! I will handle all your Real Estate needs!

No need to do that! We got you covered. One of our services is to hire a photographer so you can get quality photos of your home.