When looking at Chico homes for sale, you will likely begin your search by perusing listings and trying to eliminate homes you do not think will interest you. For most home buyers, this means scanning photo gallery after photo gallery, looking for flaws that would diminish your interest or features that might pique it.
After all, photos can provide a fantastic window into a home’s layout, design, and features. However, listing photos do not always tell the full story, and the photographer's chosen focus may not even be the most interesting element in a photo. As such, it is important to look beyond the initial impression you might get from photos to gain a better understanding of the home and its potential.
Narrowing down your home search with listing photos
Whether you are looking at Chico homes for sale or browsing Glenn County townhouses, listing photos can provide a great means for narrowing down your list of potential homes and focusing on the ones that are most likely to fit you and your lifestyle. In addition to providing a reasonable sense of the layout and features each home offers, listing photos can often give you a better understanding of the area and immediate neighborhood a home is in.
However, it is important to remember that photos can only show you what the photographer chose to show off, especially at first glance. You may be able to get a glimpse of the kitchen yet not be able to see what appliances are included or how much storage the cupboards provide. Similarly, pictures may show you how a bathroom is laid out but not provide a good sense of just how large it will feel when you are exiting the shower and getting dressed. As such, it is important to try to look past the immediate elements the photographer was showcasing and try to take as many clues about the home from photos as you are able.
Luxury real estate and listing photos
When it comes to luxury real estate, such as Glenn County townhouses, listing photos can be even more difficult to evaluate. Luxury homes often come with features that are hard to capture in photos, such as expansive views, high-end finishes, and top-of-the-line appliances.
Most luxury home sellers understand the value of a professional photographer who specializes in real estate, but sometimes sellers make bad choices or simply lack the guidance of an experienced real estate agent. When that happens, the listing photos may not do justice to the grandeur and luxury of a home, or the photographer may have simply placed irrelevant details at the center of the photo. If you are less than impressed with your first glance at a house through photos, consider looking more closely and taking your time.
If your first instinct was to pass on the home, other buyers will likely take that same view. As a result, if you can spot a diamond in the rough, you will find yourself with less competition and are likely to get a better deal for your efforts.
What to look for in listing photos
There are a few key things to keep in mind when browsing listing photos. Of course, keep an eye out for signs of wear and tear. Photos can often hide signs of damage or neglect, and photographers are certainly not above choosing an angle that will de-emphasize any problems. As such, you will want to look closely at each photo for any signs of things that the photographer may have been intentionally trying to draw attention away from.
Second, look for signs of potential. There is an old saying about challenges simply being opportunities, and there are times this applies to homes. Sometimes the opportunity you are looking for is in the perceived flaw a photographer did not want you to pay attention to. As a result, photos can hide potential improvements or upgrades.
Third, look for any unique features or amenities. Photos may not reveal all of the home’s unique features, such as a pool or a large backyard, so it’s essential to look for any parts that may be hidden in the photos. Look at the property details in the listing and note anything that is mentioned in the text but missing from the photos. It is certainly possible that the reason there are not very many good photos of the pool is that it is in disrepair. On the other hand, if you are up for the challenge, it could indicate the potential to reshape that part of the property to fit what you want.
How to look past the photos and see a home's potential
The best way to get the most out of listing photos is to take a similar approach to how you should engage with showings and open houses. If you were in the kitchen yourself, you would pull drawers and open cupboards. You would flick on the lights and stand in front of the stove to consider how elements of the space might be convenient or not.
Place yourself in the role of a detective when you browse listing photos. If there is a floor plan, try to match it up with the photos to get an idea of where things connect and the perspectives you are seeing. You might be pleasantly surprised at a detail that matters to you but is not initially obvious.
Most of all, as with every element and phase of shopping for a home, talk to your real estate agent. An experienced agent will not only know what to look for but will also have a well-developed eye for spotting details in listing photos. If you spot something in a photo but feel uncertain of its meaning, ask your agent for their input. Not to mention, your agent may also have already toured the home with other clients and have something of an insider perspective. So, find a real estate agent such as Jesselle Cook, whom you can trust to help you effectively evaluate listings for their true potential.
