How Bad Photography Could Be Costing You Thousands When Selling Your Home

When it comes to selling your home, first impressions matter—and in today’s property market, that first impression is almost always online. With over 95% of buyers starting their search on portals like Rightmove, Zoopla, or OnTheMarket, your photos aren’t just an add-on to the listing—they are the listing.

Yet time and time again, we see homes marketed with poorly lit, badly angled, or downright uninspiring photography. The result? Your property fails to stand out, attracts fewer viewings, and in many cases, ends up sitting on the market longer than it should. And as the weeks tick by, you may be forced into the one thing every seller dreads: a price reduction.

Why bad photography hurts vendors:

• Reduced buyer interest: Buyers often scroll quickly. If your photos don’t stop them in their tracks, they’ll simply move on.

• Lower perceived value: Dark, cluttered, or low-resolution photos give the impression of a property that’s uncared for, even if that’s not the case.

• Longer time on market: A stale listing can create a “what’s wrong with it?” effect, making buyers suspicious and hesitant.

• Price reductions: Ultimately, fewer viewings mean fewer offers—leaving you vulnerable to dropping your price just to generate interest.

The difference good photography makes:

Professional property photographers know how to capture space, light, and lifestyle. They use wide-angle lenses, natural lighting, and staging techniques to make your home look inviting and aspirational. Time and again, data shows that high-quality photography increases click-through rates online and leads to more viewings—and more competition usually means a better final price.

What vendors should do:

If your home is already on the market and the photos don’t do it justice, don’t be afraid to challenge your agent. Great agents know that investing in professional photography is a must, not a nice-to-have. And if your current agent isn’t delivering the standard your home deserves, it might be time to consider switching to one who will.

At Switch My Agent, we connect you with proactive agents who know the value of presentation and are prepared to show your home at its very best. Because in property, you only get one chance to make a first impression—and the right photography could be the difference between a home that lingers and a home that sells.