This is a presentation that I did for the North Bay Real Estate Appraisers group..

Organization

Standardize an approach for every appraisal to make sure that everything that needs to be photographed is photographed. 

  1. Front exterior - If you are there on an overcast day or the light isn’t right at the entrance = come back, ask the home owner to send pics or MLS: shots if this is the industry standard

  2. Interiors: Walk though the house and sketch out the floor plan and make a list of the rooms to be photographed and note unique features / "issues". Plan your approach using multiple points of view when possible. 

  3. Exteriors: Show elevations - how the house sits on the lot - Include a screen shot from Google Earth - please give them credit. 

Details / “"issues"”

  1. Multiple views of primary room @ 180º including architectural features and detail shots.

  2. Include listing sign / mail box if possible

  3. Driveways / Parking area - lay of the land and detail photos if there are “"issues"”.

  4. Show the “great view” —- if there is a view of San Pablo bay you don’t need to show a close up of the bay.. Photograph it how the lender / prospective owner would see it a close up is always nice but not necessary  

  5. If there are amenities such as an “Outdoor kitchen” then show that now it sits on the lot and with details. 

  6. Condition and materials used in the roof: New / old roof, falling down roof etc.

  7. If there is a fireplaceshow condition of the firebox - Details: Brick, stone, gas or wood - Firewood stacked against / close to the house

  8. Kitchen: Appliances (condition), flooring, counter tops - detail photos if there are “"issues"”.

  9. AC unit - location and detail photos if there are “"issues"”.

  10. Rural Listing: 1) Well head 2) Electrical connection 3) Septic 4) Lay of the land 5) Use of the land = orchard / vineyard  

  11. "Issues": show them in an overall and as a detail = dry rot,  foundation problems.The best camera that you own is the one that you have with you.

Do not use more than one camera = learn how to successfully use the camera that your will regularly  be working with. 

Issues with exposure: Trying to take a photograph which includes a large bank of windows.

The camera will read the light from the window and the rest of the scene will go black.  If you use the camera in your phone, touch the area that you want properly exposed. This will create the proper exposure for the rest of the room and “blow out the windows” which is OK.   Also, turn on the room lights. Remember what it is that you are taking a photo of. If the view out the windows is important then show both.

 

Camera’s and Software

Canon Power shot SX740 $399.00 24 to 960mm
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1433954-REG/canon_powershot_sx740_hs_digital.html/specs

Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II $479.00 28 to 84mm
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1321603-REG/canon_powershot_g9_x_mark.html

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II $717..00 24 to 100mm
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1259343-REG/canon_powershot_g7_x_mark.html

Canon PowerShot G5 X $799.00 24 to 100mm https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1188052-REG/canon_0510c001_powershot_g5x_digital_camera.html/specs

Canon Digital Photo FREE
https://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/product/canon_software/inside_digital_photo_professional.do

Nikon COOLPIX A1000 $476.00 24 to 840mm
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1470823-REG/nikon_coolpix_a1000_digital_camera.html

Nikon COOLPIX P900 $708.95 24 to 2000mm https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1127274-REG/nikon_26499_coolpix_p900_digital_camera.html?sts=pi&pim=Y

Nikon Capture $180.00
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/imaging-software/capture-nx-2---full-version-%28boxed%29.html

View NXI  FREE
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/imaging-software/viewnx_i/viewnx-i.html

Adobe Photoshop / Lightroom $9.99/month
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html?promoid=695P7SPW&mv=other

Phone’s Camera App

Google’s Snapseed FREE
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/snapseed/id439438619

VSCO FREE
https://vsco.co/

Adobe Photoshop Express FREE
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adobe-photoshop-express/id33197523

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC FREE
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/adobe-photoshop-lightroom/id878783582