GENERAL
Q: What is Listing By Design’s photoshoot process?
A: When one of our Listing Image Specialists arrives to the property, they allot the first 15 minutes of each shoot to walk through the home and ensure everything is picture-perfect and ready to photograph. This includes straightening chairs, pillows, and other small decorations, as well as hiding small objects, such as tv/game controllers, toothpaste tubes, or soap dispensers. If larger clutter is an issue, or the home isn’t clean, we will have to reschedule the shoot and a fee may be issued.
Q: What should I do to prepare my listings for photos?
A: The most important thing you can do to prepare a listing for photos is to do a walkthrough of the home at least 24-hours before your scheduled shoot time. If you wouldn’t feel confident showing the home to a buyer, then it’s not ready for photos. To help you prepare your listings, we’ve put together a Make-Ready Checklist to share with your sellers.
Q: Should my sellers install any specific light bulbs for photos?
A: Lighting is the most important aspect of photography, and good lighting makes all the difference. That’s why we recommend using either cool white or daylight LED light bulbs (5000K to 6500K color temperature). These light bulbs provide more neutral lighting, which allows for higher color accuracy than warm-toned light bulbs (2700K to 4100K color temperature). With light bulbs that have a warm, orange hue, they can make surfaces such as walls appear a different color than they actually are. Most importantly though, your sellers should ensure that all light bulbs in a room match; you don’t want warm light bulbs mixed with cool light bulbs.
Q: Can Listings By Design book same-day photoshoots?
A: In most circumstances, we are not able to accommodate same-day photoshoots, although it just depends on our schedule and if there are any cancelations. But to ensure we’re able to shoot your listing, we recommend booking in advance.
Q: How far in advance should I schedule my photoshoots?
A: We recommend scheduling any shoots at least 24-hours ahead of time. The further ahead you schedule your shoot, the more likely you are to get your desired shoot date and time.
Q: Does Listings By Design have Supra access?
A: Yes, we do! However, we will need you to provide us with the CBS (Call Before Showing) code in order for us to access the Supra lockbox. If you’re unsure how to find the CBS code, follow the instructions in this video. Alternatively, you can call HAR and provide them with the serial number for the lockbox on your listing and they can provide you with the CBS code for that lockbox.
Q: Why is there a 15-minute window for arrival time of the photographer?
A: Our Listing Image Specialists often have to travel all over the Greater Houston Area for photoshoots, and sometimes have shoots on opposite sides of the city. Due to unexpected circumstances, such as traffic jams or homes taking longer to photograph than average, it’s not uncommon to run a little behind schedule. Alternatively, sometimes our Listing Image Specialists complete shoots ahead of schedule, or have two shoots within close proximity to each other and may sometimes run ahead of schedule. For this reason, we ask that agents allow room for our Listing Image Specialists to arrive 15 minutes before or after the scheduled shoot time.
Q: Does Listings By Design upload photos and videos to MLS?
A: Yes, we offer MLS upload as a free service! All we need is the MLS number for the listing and we can upload any media on your behalf.
Q: Does Listings By Design travel to “x” location?
A: Our Listing Image Specialists travel all over the Greater Houston Area, from Katy to Conroe to Baytown to Sealy to Pearland and beyond (travel fees may apply; see the “Billing, Payments, & Fees” section below for details). We can also accommodate listings that fall outside of the Houston area, such as Bryan-College Station or Galveston, or even as far out as Austin or Dallas; however, out-of-town shoots will incur significant travel fees.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Q: Do I own the photos after Listings By Design sends them to me?
A: No, we do not sell our images and all of our images are copyrighted (intellectual property of Listings By Design). Instead, we license our images to you for use. After payment for the services is made, you are granted Temporary Usage Rights to use those images until the property is either sold, rented, or otherwise goes off the market.
Q: What is Listings By Design’s turnaround time for photos?
A: Our turnaround time is 1 business day guaranteed, but we often have photos back same-day!
Q: What is HDR photography?
A: HDR photography is the standard technique that our Listing Image Specialists use to photograph your listings. Simply put, HDR (short for High Dynamic Range) is a process where each photo is taken at three different levels of brightness: dark, normal, and bright. The three images are then merged together, and the result is one photo where the lighting appears even throughout the home. Utilizing HDR photography means that bright areas (such as windows) won’t be too bright, and dark areas (such as rooms in the background) won’t be too dark.
Q: What are Listings By Design’s photography rates?
A: We offer several different photo packages to our clients to fit your specific needs for each listing you take. We have photo packages ranging from as few as 10 photos for $75, to as many as 60+ photos for $200. To see a full list of our photography packages, click here.
Q: What is Listing By Design’s most popular photography package?
A: Our most popular photography package is the Silver Package, which includes 24 photos for $100.
Q: How long does the average photoshoot take?
A: On average, most photoshoots take about an hour. However, it just depends on the size of the home and the number of photos needed. Smaller listings may take as little as 20 minutes to photograph, while larger listings may take over two hours.
Q: Can I, or the sellers, be present for photoshoots?
A: Both agents and sellers can be present at photoshoots if preferred, although photoshoots can be completed in a more time-efficient manner if nobody else is present in the home and our Listing Image Specialists are able to work in a distraction-free environment. If you or your seller do choose to be present for photoshoots, we simply ask for your cooperation to give our Listing Image Specialists the space they need to work, and to ensure you are not in the rooms that are being photographed.
Q: Does Listings By Design offer aerial photography?
A: Yes, we do offer aerial photography! We use state-of-the-art drones to get top-quality aerial photos for your listings. To learn more about our aerial photography services, click here.
Q: When does Listings By Design recommend utilizing aerial photography?
A: Aerial photos are best suited for homes that sit on large lots, are in close proximity to Downtown Houston, and/or have features around the home that are worth showing off (e.g. nearby lakes, no back neighbors, etc.). Aerial photography is also perfect for showing off empty plots of land.
Q: Can I select my own photos from the photos taken at a shoot?
A: Yes, we offer all of our clients the option to select their own photos before we edit them. By default, our Listing Image Specialists select the final photos as they photograph each home. This allows us to have much quicker turnaround times and often have photos back to you same-day. If you choose to select photos yourself, the turnaround time is 24-hours from the time you select the photos.
Q: Will I need to resize my photos for MLS?
A: No, you won’t! When we send the final photos to you, they are already optimized for MLS and ready to upload.
Q: Why doesn’t Listings By Design generally photograph closets, half-bathrooms, laundry/utility rooms, or garages?
A: The primary purpose of listing photos is to draw in and entice potential buyers to view your listings and schedule showings to see the home in-person. Because of this, it is our philosophy that it’s most important to highlight the selling points of the home in the photos we take. Generally speaking, most buyers aren’t going to decide they want to schedule a showing based on photos of a closet, a half-bathroom, a laundry room, or a garage.
So instead, we prefer to make the most out of the photos we take by focusing on the primary areas of the home without including the fluff; this allows us to take fewer photos so you don’t have pay for larger packages. Displaying fewer photos that have greater impact also helps keep the attention of buyers who are sometimes viewing dozens of homes online. In addition, these areas of the home tend to be either too cramped to get a good angle, or too cluttered to get a good photo.
However, we will sometimes recommend taking photos of these secondary areas if there’s something special about them that could potentially be a selling point (such as a huge walk-in closet, a half-bathroom with upgrades, an oversized utility room with extra counter space, or a 3+ car garage with a workstation). And if you prefer that we photograph these areas for every listing we shoot for you, let us know by filling out your preferences in your Client Profile.
VIDEO
Q: What is Listings By Design’s turnaround time for videos?
A: Our turnaround time is 2 business days for all video services.
Q: What is a Virtual Tour?
A: Our Virtual Tours are short marketing videos that showcase the photos taken during one of our standard photoshoots. The photos are set to upbeat music, and information about the home (e.g. square footage, noteworthy features/upgrades, number of rooms, etc.) is presented in the form of text. To learn more about our Virtual Tour service, click here.
Q: What is a Video Walkthrough?
A: Our Video Walkthroughs are high-quality videos that showcase a home in real time. The best way to think of Video Walkthroughs is like virtual showings of your listings. In these videos, potential buyers will be able to see the home in a dynamic way that shows off the flow of a home in a way that photos alone can’t. We offer two different Video Walkthrough options: Highlight Walkthroughs and Full Walkthroughs. To learn more about our Video Walkthrough service, click here.
Q: What is a Highlight Video Walkthrough?
A: Highlight Walkthroughs are videos that cut from room-to-room and only show off the most important areas of the home. These areas are the exterior, entryway, living room, kitchen, dining room, primary bedroom, primary bathroom, and game/media rooms. Highlight Walkthroughs do not include footage of secondary bedrooms, secondary bathrooms, half-bathrooms, closets, laundry/utility rooms, or garages. Highlight videos are generally 3-4 minutes in length.
Q: What is a Full Video Walkthrough?
A: Full Walkthroughs are videos that show off the entire home in a seamless fashion. Our Listing Image Specialists will walk through the entire home while recording, going from room-to-room and stopping to show off each space. These videos give the clearest idea of the flow of a home and, unlike Highlight Walkthroughs, include every room. Full Walkthroughs are generally 8-10 minutes in length, but can be longer for larger homes.
EDITING
Q: Does Listings By Design edit photos before delivery?
A: Yes! Every photoshoot we do includes basic editing at no additional cost. Basic editing entails: brightness and tone adjustments, color correction, detail enhancements, and cropping/straightening photos.
Q: Does Listings By Design add in blue skies for shoots done on cloudy/overcast days?
A: Yes, we offer Blue Sky Replacement on up to 5 exterior photos FREE with every photoshoot! If you need Blue Sky Replacement on more than 5 photos, there is an additional fee of $5/photo.
Q: Does Listings By Design repair dead grass to make it look green?
A: Yes, we offer Green Grass Repair on up to 5 exterior photos FREE with every photoshoot! If you need Green Grass Repair on more than 5 photos, there is an additional fee of $5/photo.
Q: Does Listings By Design offer Virtual Staging?
A: Yes, we offer Virtual Staging at a rate of $40/photo. We have 7 different furniture styles for you to choose from, or you can allow us to decide which style we believe works best for your listing.
Q: Can Listings By Design add outlines to aerial photos?
A: Yes, by default, we outline the property lines of your listing for any aerial photos we take at no additional charge. If you prefer no outlines, just let us know in your Client Profile and we’d be happy to accommodate!
Q: Can Listings By Design remove things like vehicles, basketball goals, fallen leaves, or boxes/clutter from photos?
A: Yes, Object Removal is one of our Advanced Editing services. Object Removal starts at $10/photo, and prices vary depending on the number of objects that need removal, and the complexity of removing the objects from the photo.
Q: Can Listings By Design make dirty pools look blue?
A: Yes, Pool Recoloring is one of our Advanced Editing services and costs $10/photo.
Q: Can Listings By Design remove things like electric poles, power lines, transformers, A/C units, or water towers from photos?
A: No, unfortunately we are unable to remove any of those items from photos because they are permanent fixtures that neither sellers nor buyers can remove themselves. Doing so would be a misrepresentation of property, and a violation of Article 12 of the NAR Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice.
Q: Can Listings By Design fix things like holes in walls, loose cables, uneven paint jobs, or stains in carpets/driveways?
A: Yes, Repair Edits are one of our Advanced Editing services. Anything that could be cleaned or fixed in the home can technically be edited in photos without violating Article 12 of the NAR Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice. However, we strongly recommend against editing anything out of photos that won’t be fixed by the sellers before the listing goes live on HAR and showings begin. We advise each of our clients to use their best judgement when requesting repair edits. We also cannot guarantee that we will be able successfully perform repair edits depending on the complexity of the edit.
CLOSING GIFTS
Q: What closing gifts does Listings By Design offer?
A: At the moment, we only offer Custom Home Portraits as closing gifts, but we plan to add more gifts in the future!
Q: What is the turnaround time for a Custom Home Portrait?
A: It takes our artist 3-5 business days to complete a Custom Home Portrait, and then another 2-3 business days for shipping. Generally, you can expect to receive your Custom Home Portrait about 1 week after you place your order and send reference images to us.
Q: Can Listings By Design accommodate a rush job for a Custom Home Portrait if I need it for a closing ASAP?
A: Yes, we offer both a Next-Day rush job option and a Two-Day rush job option. Next-Day rush jobs are an additional $100, and Two-Day rush jobs are an additional $50. Both options include delivery to your office to avoid shipping delays. Only agents local to the Houston area are eligible for rush jobs.
Q: Does Listings By Design offer framing for Custom Home Portraits?
A: Yes, we can frame your Custom Home Portraits for an additional framing fee of $20.
Q: What is the cost to ship a Custom Home Portrait?
A: For domestic shipping, we charge a $10 flat shipping fee for unframed Custom Home Portraits, and a $15 flat shipping fee for framed Custom Home Portraits.
Q: Can Listings By Design add text to Custom Home Portraits?
A: Yes, for an additional $5, our artist can include either the address of the home or other custom text (but not both due to space restrictions).
Q: How many reference images does Listings By Design need for Custom Home Portraits?
A: At least 3 angles of the front of the home is ideal, but the more angles you can send, the better. This allows our artist the get a better idea of the shape of the home, especially when there are objects like trees in front of the home that may block the view.
Q: How do I send reference images for Custom Home Portraits?
A: The easiest way to send us reference images is via email. You can email us at info@listingsbydesign.com and attach the images if you have them, or you can paste a link to the MLS listing of the home you’re wanting a portrait of.
Q: Can Listings By Design do portraits of areas of the home besides the front?
A: No, we only offer Custom Home Portraits that showcase the front of the home.
BILLING, PAYMENTS, & FEES
Q: What forms of payment does Listings By Design accept?
A: We accept all forms of payment; online payments (PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, etc.), credit card, cash, or check.
Q: How does Listings By Design handle invoicing?
A: We send all of our invoices via PayPal, and those invoices can be paid directly online with or without a PayPal account.
Q: Will Listings By Design deliver photos before payment is made?
A: No, our payment policy across the board is that the final product will not be released to clients until all outstanding dues are paid in-full.
Q: Can I view the final edited photos before making payment?
A: No, in line with our payment policy, all outstanding dues must be paid in-full before photos are released. By hiring us to photograph your listings, we hope you have trust in us to do a great job of capturing your listing in a realistic, yet flattering, way. We are more than happy to send you examples of our previous work to give you an idea of the quality of photos you can expect. You can also view our online gallery, where we showcase every single home we photograph, the beautiful and ugly alike.
Q: Does Listings By Design charge cancellation/rescheduling fees?
A: Yes, a cancellation/rescheduling fee of $25 will be issued for any shoot cancelled with less than 24-hours notice. There is a higher charge of $50 for shoots that are cancelled or rescheduled upon the arrival of the Listing Image Specialists at the scheduled shoot time. Circumstances such as inclement weather or other emergencies will not result in a cancellation/rescheduling fee.
Q: What is Listings By Design’s reshoot policy?
A: Reshoots fall into two categories: “Our Fault” and “No Fault.” Our Fault reshoots can be requested if the quality of the photos we provide are not up to standards due to errors on our end (such as poor photography technique). Under these circumstances, a full reshoot will be performed free-of-charge. No Fault reshoots can be requested if the quality of the photos we provide are not up to standards due to factors outside of our control (such as homes not being photo-ready when we arrived), or if something in the home has been changed since our first photoshoot (such as new paint or flooring). No Fault reshoots cost 50% of the original photoshoot cost and include half the number of photos from the original package, and must be scheduled within a month of the original shoot. If you desire a full reshoot that would qualify under No Fault circumstances, you will have to pay for a full shoot.
Q: What are Listings By Design’s travel fees?
A: We charge travel fees based on driving time, as opposed to mileage. Any listing within a 30-minute radius of our office in Katy does not incur any travel fees, but listings outside of that range do. Our travel fees are as follows:
35 Minutes - $5
40 Minutes - $15
45 Minutes - $25
50 Minutes - $35
55 Minutes - $45
1 Hour - $50
1 Hour & 15 Minutes - $75
1 Hour & 30 Minutes - $100
1 Hour & 45 Minutes - $150
2 Hours - $200
2 Hours & 15 Minutes - $250
2 Hours & 30 Minutes - $300
2 Hours & 45 Minutes - $350
3 Hours - $400