Real Estate Photography

[fantasmic2tek]

I have a friend who is a realtor and is going to find us a house to buy. He is also going to give me the names of some other realtors that could use a real estate photographer. He said you have to pay to get the list of realtors. He is getting me the contacts for free. Now I have to figure out what to charge. I have an idea. Any suggestions? I was figuring a flat fee for a so many pictures and any over that are priced per picture. I would of course retain the rights to the pictures of digital files. etc. etc. Any feedback?

[ryder]

I am not a pro photographer, but I was involved in property management a while back and I know that you will not be able to retain all rights for this.

Google for some ideas about limited rights contracts. This will be what you need. Realtors will need the right to publish photos both on the web at multi-listings and in print brochures. So you will be required to supply digital files in both high res and low res for web.

The key will be spelling out in writing what is allowed and WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED. The more they ask for, the higher the price! Web publishing on multi-listings should be affordable, but if they also have their own web site over and above the basic multi-listing that should cost more. Especially if it is upscale million dollar housing. Remember the Realtor is working on commission and his take is much higher on million dollar property than 40K listing, so he should be willing to pay more to close the deal on million dollar property!!!

The print publishing varies widely also. The 40K property might only be a B&W tearsheet for placement in the home. Whereas the million dollar property might be four color glossy pamphlets that they mail around the world!!!

I know one thing, if I could get in with an upscale Realtor I would definitely be cutting him a deal on a twenty by thirty canvas print of the front exterior that he could use as a gift to the buyer for a house warming gift!!!!! That ought to earn you some loyalty!!!

[GadgetRick]

One thing I will caution you of--and sorry if it offends any realtors around here--but realtors are notoriously cheap when it comes to things like this. I have been in the mortgage industry for 9 years (my day job at the moment) and they don't usually want to spend much of anything most of the time.

You'll want to target the more successful realtors. They're easy to find. You'll see their signs and advertisements all over the place. They're most-likely to listen to you about something like this.

Keep in mind, the average realtor sells 2ish properties per year. That is a statistic from a few years ago though. That average may be lower.

You don't have to pay for a list of realtors. You can find them everywhere. Google the areas you're looking to hit. Drive around and find the offices then find that office's website. Don't waste your time with going in as realtors don't hang out in the office. They're out doing things most of the time. You'll find one or two there but, again, they're not typically the top-producers, usually the newer people just starting out.

I can share more with you about realtors and how to go after them if you'd like. I've chased them for 9 years. Just let me know.

[CaptainNH]

Originally Posted by GadgetRick

Keep in mind, the average realtor sells 2ish properties per year. That is a statistic from a few years ago though. That average may be lower.

Off topic, but, for the sake of realtors everywhere, I hope that 2ish is a typo.

One of my close friends is a real estate agent here in Sydney and he's selling a little over 5 a month (at an average price of $800,000 on 2% commission = >$1Mpa )

[Jim Bryant]

Limited rights is what wording you put in a contract allowing the buyer to use the photos on the web, news paper, magazine advertising, brochures or whatever for a limited time (normally one-year period). Each usage (web, news paper, magazine advertising, brochures) commands a different price range. Do no sell them unlimited rights to do what so ever they wish with the photo. As for a photo buyout, that's not a legal term. You can sell them a transfer of copyright, but make sure it's enough money to do so. If you go that route, You'll then have to ask them permission to use in your advertising material.

[Moments that Click]

I have been charging an introductory flat rate for first time realty customers (just establishing myself). Based on 30 mins of coverage and images provided in 800x600 size for upload to listing sites. But after reading some other posts on DPS I am beginning to reconsider this "introductory" rate as it could lead to the expectation of that rate going forward.

[Jim Bryant]

Why do that? They make plenty off the sale of a house. Besides, it's just a tax write off to them. You don't see too many of them driving around in older cars, so up your prices as they can afford to pay.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

it's just a tax write off to them. You don't see too many of them driving around in older cars, so up your prices as they can afford to pay.

+1
when dealing with a business dont be afraid to charge them.. they have the money.

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by CaptainNH

Off topic, but, for the sake of realtors everywhere, I hope that 2ish is a typo.

One of my close friends is a real estate agent here in Sydney and he's selling a little over 5 a month (at an average price of $800,000 on 2% commission = >$1Mpa )

Nope, not a typo. And, keep in mind, this number was pulled while our real estate market was HOT a few years ago. That number is surely lower now.

[Camdixon]

How much should a real estate photographer charge?

1. Just send the processed 800x600 photos to the Realtor to use, how much would you charge?

2. Also put the hi-res photos on a website for a "Virtual Tour", how much to charge?

I'm looking for opinions.