Buffalo Grove /Long Grove real estate agent Judy Greenberg emphasizes how important it is to take pictures this fall if you plan to list your home later this fall, this Winter or next Spring. .
In my opinion, timing and knowledge are the keys of selling your home quickly and for the highest possible price. My goal is to educate the sellers and buyers to take full advantage of the present market.
This purpose of this blog post has one purpose only....
Take remind everyone to take pictures of your home in all seasons- especially those that emphasize the beauty of your home.
Let's say you want to put your home on the market in early spring, one of the times most people ultimately first think about selling their home. Imagine what the photos of your home would look like at the time of year. If you live in Chicago's suburbs, your pictures would either include dirty snow or ugly barren trees. (Sometimes not a pretty site and one that does not make a good first impression.)
According the National Association of Realtors, nearly 80% of homebuyers start their home search on the Internet. This number is increasing on a daily basis. The potential buyer narrows his list of homes he would like to see by looking at pictures on the internet. 
My suggestion is that if you are contemplating putting your home on the market in early spring - take your pictures now. Maybe even buy some hearty mums for additional color. Everything is very green ,especially after the week of rain we had a couple of weeks ago. Fall is a beautiful time of year and it would be a good idea to show the potential buyers what your home looks like in different seasons. To your left- this backyard in Long Grove will not photograph as well in the middle of winter as it does in the middle of the fall.
In my opinion, it's the photos -- and good photos -- that ultimately brings a potential buyer to your home, and you only get one chance to make a first impression. A good picture is worth a 1000 words, a bad picture on the other hand may result in the consumer skipping over your home in their internet search and ultimately lose the sale.
For all of you realtors who are reading this blog... would you take a client to a home which had no pictures on the internet? What about one that had bad pictures? What about potential buyers, what do you think?
If you would like more information about the Chicago North or Northwest Suburbs, including Buffalo Grove and Long Grove,il please do not hesitate to call me at 847-602-5435
The above information regarding was provided by Judy Greenberg, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Judy's websites, www.buffalogroveareahomes.com and www.judygreenberg.com will provide you all the information regardless as to whether you are a potential buyer or seller!
Judy can be reached at 847-602-5435 or via email at info@buffalogrovehomes.com. Judy has helped people move in and out of the Buffalo Grove and Long Grove area.
Judy: In my area many listings do not have photos ... or at least not for the first 48 hours or so. I read a lot about photographs ... and honestly believe the "photo things" is highly over-rated by photography buffs. We are real estate agents, not photographers. The average 4th grader can take a good photo. I feel that if we capture the essence of the home, and each room, we have done our jobs as agents. There are professional virtual tour companies to do the rest. I would be suspicious of photos that appeared "old" because the home is being marketed in a different season. Your idea is creative and may not reflect the true picture, however. It reminds me of people on Internet Dating sites that post photos when they were 10 years younger or 50 pounds lighter! Same person ... different look.
Kathleen, I use a professional photographer... VHT- for Coldwell Banker its only $29 per listing and that's a great deal. I just want people to have another front picture available if its a very ugly season. In Chicago, dirty snow and gloomy days do not photograph well.
I agree. The only problem is most sellers aren't aware of this and there is really know way to get the word out them. Unless they are already considering selling and you have had contact with them or they subscribe to your blog.
Judy...The forethought of pre-emptive picture taking is such a great idea, the exterior of an otherwise beautiful home, can most definitely appear dark and gray in the wrong season.
Hi Judy~ I am so happy when I list a home and the seller tells me they have seasonal photos! Rainy days and Mondays just don't make good pictures, LOL!
Great idea and reminder for the clients in your area! We are blessed with beautiful weather year round. Thanks for the post!