Real Estate Photography

[h.r.ford]

Ok as some of you know I am probably heading back to the states this summer. This has lead me to what I want to do for a living when I get here as the job I do here in the UK (company secretary) doesn't exist there. As I am searching for a house I notice one huge trend. Horrible, I mean really really bad, photography. I mean check out the kitchen shot on this house (don't you love the house prices!). Anyway I've done a little research and came up with this site that is just a wealth of information on the subject.

In my area I'm thinking $100 for 15 shots both high and lo res with brochures also being available at an extra $100 plus .25 a brochure after the first 50. I'm not sure about offering the 360 degree tour yet because well I haven't a clue how to go about stitching all those photos together.

This is not the most exciting aspect of photography but if it means I can be my own boss and make enough money (about $30,000 a year) I would really like to look into it.

As far as I can tell as far as overhead I have most of the equipment needed. Maybe a 10-20 sigma wide angle; one umbrella stand and a better hot shoe flash. I have the software needed so no expense there as well as a top quality computer (thank you mac pro). I will need liability insurance and my car insurance would be more as well as the price of petrol but I can't see any other hidden expenses beyond marketing and the like. My husband is an accountant or will be shortly at any rate (a tax one at that) so that will be one less expense.

So what are the pitfalls? What do you guys think does it sound viable? As far as I can tell there is one other "walmart" supplier in my area called circlepix but after looking at there pics I know I can offer much much better quality (I mean how hard is it to clear a counter!). Look forward to hearing your views.

 

[RobertP]

Spencer (Gandhi) makes (or did last I heard) his living taking house shots for selling agents. Seem to remember him saying it was harder work than it should be because people don't have tidy houses. Clearing up enough to take a good picture was a lot of work.

Found one moan
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=8608

 

[oldgit]

Looks like you've found a possible avenue to venture down...
I guess there are good and bad points as with any job.

Good luck with whatever comes your way.

 

[dod]

300 houses a year seems a lot, and $100 doesn't sound like enough. Is that the going rate?

 

[h.r.ford]

I've done some research and for my area that seems about right. There aren't allot of over $1m houses so if I charge too high there won't be enough margin left for the estate agent. I figured I would need to do about 10 houses a week in the beginning. That $100 includes one hour of my time but I would charge $90 an hour after the first hour for large houses based on 15min increments. Plus a fuel surcharge for anything over 30 miles from my house.

 

[Arkady]

This is the only Real Estate I'd be interested in...

But saloons are better...

 

[TheRedUn]

My g/f works as a valuer for one of the national estate agents, and she has to take her own pics, whilst 'measuring up' (admittedly the average run-of-the-mill properties, not the mega-plots) - cant believe they gave her a 7.0mp camera to take pics of house-fronts, couple of interiors and the garden (if any).

She can easily get through 4-5 jobs a day, so $100 per job (for better quality images) should be a nice earner depending on travelling time.

googled 'creating 360 panorama' - came up with many sites, this one caught my eye - not read through it all but it looks like the software can be licenced or charged back to the agent; and they give you simple instructions on creating the pano's.

Hope this helps.... and good luck!

 

[Jimmy_Lemon]

Sounds like a plan Renee. I had a conversation with the estate agent my parents used when moving house as I took the photos and made a website to sell the place ( http://www.69holyrood.co.uk/ ) and they said they couldnt afford to pay anyone anymore to take the photos, they just gave the valuator (that aint the right word) a camera to take some snaps. They did suggest however that the people selling the house may be insterested in paying for decent photos, and maybe websites selling their homes. I never followed it up any further to be honest - but I am sure there must be something out there!

 

[h.r.ford]

Jimmy it is a very big business in the UK. I've found quite a few sites although most are in the South. The real estate business works differently in the US so the estate agent (Realtor) does all promotion and you also have a Realtor representing you as the buyer.

 

[CT]

Ghandi does this for a living. He doesn't post much these days, but you could drop him a PM.