June 25, 2019
A listing’s photograph either makes or breaks a sale — a lesson many real estate professionals learn the hard way.
That’s why Joan Sliker, broker-owner of The Cream City Real Estate Co. in Milwaukee, doesn’t hesitate to take photos twice, maybe even three times, before uploading to her agency’s Web site.
“Most of your selling is online. You’ve got about five seconds to get them to look at the house before they go on to another one. That’s how critical photography is,” she says. “Sometimes the mood of a house is old and it’s going to drag down the buyer. People want to be energized when they look at a house.”
If the house doesn’t sparkle before she snaps her camera? No worries. She’ll stage each room for as little as $100, focusing on pops of color and a new, fresh look. “I went to TJ Maxx and spent less than a hundred bucks on towels, a shower curtain, shower hooks, soap stands, and even fancy soaps,” Sliker says. In keeping with the home’s all-white interior she stuck to neutral shades. “I wanted a modern spa-like feel with natural colors. You want something that looks current........”