Outsourcing Real Estate Photo Editing: What to Look for in a Service Provider
In a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors Research Group (NAR), 76% of buyer agents reported that their clients already knew what they wanted in an ideal home. Listing photos that do not accurately represent the desired features can lead to potential buyers continuing their search elsewhere. Thus, strong visuals aren’t optional—they’re essential.
The challenge lies in having the requisite time and resources to transform standard property photographs into engaging and attention-grabbing images. If your resources are limited, it may result in missed opportunities from the initial impression.
In such cases, outsourcing real estate photo editing to professional service providers is a strategic decision. These experts offer high-quality edited images, increased turnaround times, and cost-effective solutions. Let’s understand in detail why partnering with these professionals is advantageous and explore the key factors to consider when selecting the right service provider.
Why Do You Need Professional Photo Retouching for Real Estate Listings?
For MLS listings, professional, high-quality images are key to attracting buyers. If you’re dealing with inconsistent photo quality, time-consuming edits, or limited in-house resources, outsourcing to a specialized photo editing partner can be a practical solution. Here is how professional real estate photo retouching adds value:
1. Enhances Image Quality
Photo editors use advanced tools like Photoshop and Lightroom to handle complex tasks, such as aerial editing, photo stitching, panorama correction, perspective adjustment, virtual staging, and 2D/3D floor plans. The result is consistent, high-quality visuals that are difficult to produce in-house without the right tools or expertise.
Another benefit of outsourcing real estate image editing is that service providers follow standardized processes to ensure consistent adjustments for factors such as brightness, contrast, color balance, and sharpness. Such images provide buyers with an accurate representation of the property. This allows them to better understand the USPs of properties, such as design details.
2. Helps to Visualize Properties
Bare shell properties are often difficult to sell as buyers struggle to visualize their potential. In fact, roughly 49% of the buyers consider virtual staging important in property listings.
Service providers offer virtual staging services where they add furniture, decor, and other necessary elements to the empty space. They can also digitally improve landscaping and integrate kitchen & bathroom fittings for a complete and visually-appealing look. When buyers can see the potential of the space, the likelihood of inquiries increases, which leads to faster property sales.
3. Reduces Costs
In-house editing requires hiring and training photo editors, managing overhead expenses, and purchasing tool subscriptions, all of which can be costly.
Service providers offer cost-effective real estate photo editing solutions through customized packages and flexible pricing to fit your project-specific or long-term requirements. This means you only pay for the services you need without overspending during slower periods.
4. Improves Time Management
Real estate professionals manage tasks like client meetings, property tours, marketing, and contract negotiations. Adding photo editing to the list or overseeing the entire process can be tough.
Outsourcing real estate photo editing services allows you to focus on core business activities while offering faster turnaround times (often within 24 to 48 hours), helping to keep property listings up-to-date.
Given the many choices available, focus on one that aligns with your needs and consistently delivers high-quality listing images. Here are the key criteria to consider before outsourcing photo editing services to a partner.
How to Choose a Real Estate Photo Editing Company?
1. Evaluate Experience and Reputation
A company’s experience significantly impacts the quality and consistency of its work. Here is what you should check:
- Their experience in the real estate industry
- Their familiarity with properties (luxury, residential, commercial)
- Proficiency in photo editing tools like Photoshop and Lightroom
- Skills in complex editing techniques like HDR blending, aerial editing, virtual renovations, and floor plan creation
2. Compare Pricing Models
Photo editing companies offer various pricing structures. Choose the one that best fits your workflow and budget from the options below:
- A monthly or annual fee for a fixed number of images or hours, though unused services may result in extra costs if credits don’t roll over.
- A fixed rate per image, though costs may vary depending on the complexity of edits and the volume of your requirements.
- Tailored quotes based on your specific needs, ideal for businesses that require flexibility.
3. Check Their Turnaround Time (TAT)
Speed is crucial in real estate listing. Hence, TAT is imperative when choosing your service provider. Consider the following questions:
- Can they deliver edited photos within a 12-48 hour window?
- Do they provide shorter TATs for urgent requirements?
- Is there an additional charge for expedited options?
4. Ask for a Portfolio of Work
Ensure the companies have examples that showcase their ability to handle different types of properties and editing needs. For that, you need to:
- Inquire about recent success stories.
- Look at before and after shots of property photos to assess transformation quality.
5. Read Client Testimonials and Reviews
Positive reviews, ratings, and testimonials reflect the company’s consistency and customer satisfaction. Here is how you can gauge both of these aspects:
- Check the company’s website for testimonials and reviews.
- Refer to third-party review platforms like Google Reviews, DesignRush, Clutch, GoodFirms, or Trustpilot for unbiased customer feedback.
6. Prioritize Active Customer Support
Ensure that the company has proactive customer support that addresses issues before they escalate into bigger problems. Here is how you can do that:
- Verify whether they offer multiple communication channels (email, chat, phone)
- Inquire about their average response times
- Ask how they support during extended work hours
- See if they provide project updates periodically
Got a real estate photo editing project?
We offer fast turnarounds, competitive pricing, and tailored solutions.
Outsourcing real estate photo editing enhances the quality of listings, saves time, and reduces costs, allowing you to focus on what truly matters — selling properties. While pricing and turnaround time are important, don’t overlook other key factors, such as data security, quality control protocols, and the company’s industry certifications or recognitions.
At PicsMatic, we have been delivering human-powered image editing solutions for the last 20 years to clients from the USA, Australia, the UK, Canada, Sweden, France, Germany, and Denmark. If you are ready to take your listings to the next level, contact us to discuss your requirements and get a free sample.
