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In the world of real estate photography, stunning visuals can make or break a sale. Nowadays, around 90% of buyers begin their hunt for the perfect property online, and their first impression is everything. It is, therefore, essential to make sure that your property photos are eye-catching and professional-looking. 

However, editing pictures sometimes requires a different skill set that not everyone has. It is quite challenging to master. One mistake can ruin the entire photo and potentially make you lose out on a sale. 

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 8 common real estate photo editing mistakes that will ruin your property photos and how to avoid them.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s discuss some benefits of real estate photo editing.

Benefits of Real Estate Photo Editing to Boost Sales

According to recent statistics, 87% of home buyers said the photos determined which homes they visited. 

As a real estate photographer, capturing stunning photos of both interior and exterior spaces is just the beginning. 

To make those photos truly captivating and earn those desirable “oohs-and-ahs” from potential buyers, an essential step is the editing process. 

Real estate photo editing brings out the character, vibrancy, and life of these images, adding that extra touch of magic. 

Here are some benefits of real estate photo editing to consider:

  • Showcases the property in its best possible light
  • Removes imperfections
  • Enhances a property’s selling point
  • Allows you to add details like a fire in the fireplace, images on a TV screen, and more 
  • Increases sales
  • Improves your credibility as an agent
  • And increases referral business as a real estate photographer

These are just a few of the many benefits of post-processing when creating captivating real estate photography. 

To recap, ensuring that your images are of the highest quality won’t only help agents sell more homes but also gives you more credibility as a photographer, which will help you grow your business.

Now, that you know the benefits of editing your images, let’s take a look at some common real estate photo editing mistakes to avoid.

8 Common Real Estate Photo Editing Mistakes to Avoid

Here are 8 common real estate photo editing mistakes to keep in mind when you’re editing your property photos.

1. Over-Saturating Colors

Many think that using vibrant hues will make the pictures pop, but it can actually be a turnoff for potential buyers and make the photos appear unrealistic. 

You mustn’t edit the colors to manipulate the listing’s actual appearance. Consider this…

According to ACCC, real estate companies can be fined up to $1.1 million and individual agents up to $220,000, if their images are misleading buyers.

So, always stick to natural tones and avoid over-saturating the colors. Real estate photos should represent the actual look of the property yet in its best light. 

That said, learn more about what’s allowed and what’s not in our blog post on how is photo manipulation different from real estate photo editing

Also, to learn how to edit the colors in your property photos, check out our tutorial on how to color correct in Photoshop

2. Not Removing Blemishes and Distractions

real estate photo editing mistakes - not removing blemishes and distractions

As a real estate photographer or agent, you know that any extra object in the room can disturb the desired view and potentially ruin your shots. 

It’s common to come across unsellable objects when photographing occupied properties, such as power cables, dustbins, or a car parked in the driveway. These objects can easily spoil the view and distract from the primary subjects. 

Additionally, a weak background can further detract focus from the main highlights. Therefore, it’s crucial to pay attention to these details and ensure an engaging and visually captivating composition for your real estate photography.

So, always make sure to remove these distractions and declutter your images before posting them online.

To see how to remove unwanted objects in your images, visit our blog post on how to remove a car from a driveway in Photoshop or watch our video tutorial: 

3. Using Incorrect White Balance

White balance is essential in real estate photo editing. It affects the color of the photo’s lighting, and using the wrong adjustment can affect the entire look of the photo. 

It can result in a photo that looks too warm or too cool, which is unpleasing to the eye. Always make sure to adjust the white balance accurately to have a natural look.

4. Not Adjusting the Image Orientation

It’s quite common to have crooked photos when taking pictures since the property’s angles sometimes play a huge role in the photo’s composition. 

However, it is essential to correct the photo orientation before posting it online. The incorrect angle can make the room appear distorted, which can negatively affect the buyer’s impression.

Learn more in our blog post on how to fix verticals in Photoshop or watch the video tutorial below:

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5. Choosing the Wrong Aspect Ratio

Choosing the wrong aspect ratio

Aspect ratio is an important part of real estate photo editing. It refers to the proportions of the photo and how it would appear in print or on digital platforms. 

Using the wrong aspect ratio can cut off essential pieces of the photo or distort the photo. 

It can significantly affect the viewer’s perception of the property, which can lead to a missed opportunity.

6. Not Removing Unwanted Reflections

not removing unwanted reflections

Shadows actually play a significant role in enhancing the image and giving it a realistic feel. Photos without shadows tend to look flat and lack depth. 

Therefore, it is important to strike a balance by incorporating the right amount of shadows where necessary. On the other hand, reflections should be avoided at all costs. 

Imagine browsing online listings and seeing a reflection of someone in the bathroom mirror—it can easily take away from the professional image you are trying to portray.

Remember, reflections from surfaces, pictures, TV screens, mirrors, and other reflective surfaces can spoil the overall quality of your images. 

So, be mindful of these aspects when capturing and editing real estate photos to ensure that they are engaging and visually appealing to potential buyers.

7. Using Too Many Filters

real estate photo editing mistakes - using too many filters

Many photo editing software applications have pre-set filters that enhance the photo’s image. 

However, using too many filters can make the photo appear too artificial, which can turn off the buyers. 

Always make sure to use the correct amount of filters to avoid making the photo look like a brochure cover rather than an actual property.

8. Over-Editing Your Images

This goes hand in hand with our last editing mistake, which is to over-edit your property photos. This can make a home appear unrealistic and artificial. 

While real estate photo editing is a vital part of the process, adding too many filters, enhancing colors, and retouching the image extensively can create a false impression of the property. 

real estate photo editing mistakes - over-editing your images

Using editing to make a property appear more attractive or desirable than it really is can be misleading and could potentially lead to disappointment or mistrust when buyers see the property in person.

It is vital to find a balance between enhancing the image to highlight its best features and editing it to the point of unnaturalness.

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Real estate photo editing is crucial in marketing a property and influencing a buyer’s decision. 

It can attract potential buyers or turn them away!

PhotoUp’s real estate photo editors are experts in making property photos look natural while still highlighting the property’s best features.

Our professional editors can help you with the following issues:

  • Image brightness and exposure correction 
  • Color and tone adjustments 
  • Window masking and glare reduction
  • Clutter and advanced object removal
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  • Harsh shadows and lack of light 
  • Sky replacements
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PhotoUp Real Estate Photographer Websites

You may also be pleased to know that you can find everything you need for your real estate marketing needs under one roof, as PhotoUp also offers additional services such as: 

We have everything you need to create and market sunning real estate visuals!

How to Get Started

Getting started with PhotoUp is quick and easy!

All you need to do is sign up for a free PhotoUp account, place your first order, and your photographs will be delivered in less than 24 hours.

PhotoUp Real Estate Photo Editing Uploader Demo

To see how easy it is to use our software, you can check out this real estate photo editing uploader demo:

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So, sign up for a free PhotoUp account today and let our expert editors help you avoid common real estate photo editing mistakes and create stunning images!

If you found this post useful, you may also want to check out the following resources:

Stina Pettersson

Professional Blogger

Stina is an entrepreneur, digital marketer, and professional blogger who's passionate about real estate photo editing, being outdoors with her pup, and sweaty gym sessions. She loves the written word and has been writing for publications like Forbes and Thrive Global. Originally from Sweden, she's called South Florida her home since 2013.

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