On a listings page, your photos are competing with every other listing on the screen. Buyers give each one a few seconds. You do not need a photographer — today's phones are more than good enough — but you do need light, order, and a little patience.
Light is ninety percent of it
Shoot in daytime with every light in the house turned on and every blind open. Midday works; late afternoon sun through the windows is even better. Never shoot a room with the window behind you reflected in a mirror, and never use the flash — it flattens rooms and makes walls look gray.
The first photo decides everything
Your first photo is the cover — it is what shows in search results, on the map, and in every shared link. Make it the strongest exterior shot you have, or the best room if the exterior is unremarkable. On Homes District the first photo is the cover by default, and you can reorder photos anytime to change it.
What to shoot, in order
- Front of the building, from an angle, in good light
- Living room and dining room — stand in the corner, shoot wide
- Kitchen — counters cleared completely
- Every bedroom, even small ones — buyers count rooms from photos
- Bathrooms — lid down, towels straightened
- Porch, balcony, or yard — outdoor space moves listings in our market
- Basement, garage, and storage — the shots everyone skips and buyers ask about anyway
Before you press the shutter
Clear the counters, clear the floors, close the closets, and take cars out of the driveway shot. Shoot horizontal, hold the phone at chest height, and keep vertical lines vertical — tilting the camera up makes rooms look like funhouses.
You can upload up to 50 photos per listing, free. More real photos means fewer wasted tours — the buyers who message you have already seen the house honestly.