#realestatelife

The value of having professional photos taken for your house listings has been thoroughly documented. A well-composed photo using professional quality equipment can make a huge difference in how potential buyers perceive your listing.

But recently, the photographic spotlight has been stolen by an application created for the amateur photographer. Instagram, which has 50 million users and counting. With its simple interface and roster of filters, Instagram is making artistic photography accessible to anyone with a smartphone.

Is Instagram and real estate a compatible pair? Should  it be used by real estate agents in a professional setting as a viable home selling tool? DIY listing photos are always risky, especially when shot with camera phones. Bottom line, no matter what program or filters you use, it’s not a professional image.

Businesses are quickly capitalizing on the possibilities of the application, including real estate companies like Century 21. With the right filter, any house photo can be transformed into an object of nostalgic desire.

But, it can be over done. So what happens when it stops being nostalgic and becomes a mistake?

THIS:

Wha?? So some house is for sale, somewhere, by some company. This photo really tells you everything you need to know.

Double wha???

Is is a requirement that real estate pictures be crooked on Instagram??

Too bad this Instagram filter didn’t get rid of the trash cans in front of the home this agent is trying to sell. Technology can only do so much, bro.

I don’t know if there is an Instagram filter out there that can make this desolate lot look better.

Now, I don’t dislike the meshing of Instagram and real estate, when it’s done appropriately. In my opinion, Instagram lends itself to real estate as a human interaction tool, not a sales tool. Instagram gives a sense of emotion and nostalgia to real estate. Here are two examples of getting it right by highlighting your business, your culture, and what you do best – finding people their dream place to live.