7 Tips to Taking Better Rental Property Photographs

You never get a second chance at a first impression. As technology grows, potential tenants are checking out your property online before considering even stepping foot onto your property. By amping up your rental property photographs, you can powerfully increase the chances of potential tenants visiting your property. Stand out from thousands of others Boston rentals by incorporating professional photography and staging into your real estate marketing approach. Before hiring a professional photographer, consider adopting these 7 photography practices.

1. Upgrade Your Camera

It is vital to take the best quality property photographs possible, in order to attract serious and high quality tenants. Consider purchasing a DSLR camera to capture professional, crisp images. The Nikon D800 and D7000 are excellent for full-frame real estate photographs, and are affordable options for property managers on a budget. These models are easy to use, and do not require any professional photography training to successfully operate. Also consider purchasing a tripod to capture level and full-frame photographs. 

2. Staging is Key

Assemble furniture and props to provide tenants with a realistic view of how their rental property could look. Clear clutter and unattractive furnishings to provide a clean and clear view of your property. Only include the basic furniture essentials, and keep decorations minimal and timeless.

3. Create Good Lighting 

Before taking photographs, ensure the space is properly lit. When shooting interior photographs, open nearby blinds and windows to take advantage of natural light. Even if it is an extremely bright and sunny day outside, the sun can create harsh shadows on your furniture. Switch on the flash even during the day, the extra lighting will fill in unsightly shadows and create a more balanced exposure. 

4.  Properly Adjust ISO Settings

Properly measuring ISO is essential when taking professional photographs. ISO measures the sensitivity of the image sensor. The lower the ISO number is, the more sensitive your camera will be to light and the photographs produced will possess more grain. Higher ISO settings are generally used in darker situations to attain fast shutter speeds. If you are taking your exterior real estate photographs outdoors during the day, you will need to utilize a lower ISO such as 100 or 200. If you are shooting indoors in the afternoon or evening, you will have to increase the ISO to a higher number to record the light on the camera's sensor. If the natural lighting is very dark indoors, you will need to use much higher ISO such as 800 or 1600. Keep in mind, increasing your ISO also increases the grain or pixel size of your photographs, so try to incorporate natural lighting as much as possible in order to keep your ISO balanced.

5. Use Landscape Orientation for Optimal Viewing

Always shoot your real estate photographs in the horizontal or landscape orientation whenever possible. Humans find the horizontal and landscape viewing more aesthetically pleasing, and horizontal images capture the full essence of a space. This allows a wider shot which produces a true sense of depth and detail.

6. Utilize a Wide Angle Camera Lens

Avoid using poor quality fisheye lenses, and instead invest in a wide angle camera lens. The trend in real estate of using a fisheye lens dramatically distorts property images and is deceiving to the potential property tenant. Making a space look larger than it is by distorting the area is not going to increase a renter's interest. Invest in a wide angle camera lens to realistically advertise your property and capture the whole space.

7. Edit Photographs Carefully

Ensure when editing your property photographs to not seriously distort the true image. Keep editing very minimal and avoid unnatural filters. If the lighting needs to be adjusted in the editing stages, slightly adjust the brightness balance until the image looks crisp, clear, and realistic. 

5 Tips To Improve Your Rental Property

As 2018 commences, rental property owners should assess their rental portfolio to attract a steady stream of quality and serious rental tenants. Potential tenants will be checking out your website and property photographs before ever even stepping foot on your property. These relatively inexpensive tips will drastically improve your rental property, while maximizing its income potential.

1. Amp Up Your Rental Property Photos

One way to improve your rental property marketing approach is through high quality photographs, which highlight the spectacular features of your property. Many potential property renters will quickly skim through online rental portfolios, and immediatly reject any properties with low resolution and poor quality photographs. 

Consider purchasing a professional DSLR camera to capture high quality, crisp images. If your photography skills are lacking, look into hiring a professional photographer to capture your rental properties in a positive and professional manner. Posting professional photographs of your rental properties online shows potential tentants a clear impression of your property. Furthermore, taking the time and effort to post professional photographs shows potential tenants that the property managers are diligent, professional, and organized. 

If you plan on taking professional images yourself, ensure that the lighting is adequate and not too dark. For interior shots, open nearby blinds and windows to capture natural light. Furthermore, staging is key when taking professional property photographs. Clear rooms of all clutter, and incorporate furniture and props to provide potential tenants with a realistic idea of how their new rental property could look.

2. Modernize Kitchens and Bathrooms

Providing tenants with modern and squeaky clean kitchen and bathrooms will powerfully improve your rental properties. Before upgrading any room, focus on the kitchen and bathrooms first. Beautiful and modern kitchen and bathrooms will attract high quality tenants. Replace outdated kitchen appliances with modern, stainless steel alternatives. Upgrade dated bathroom tiles, toilets, and showers with sleek and modern options. By upgrading the bathrooms and kitchen, the monthly rent of your rental property will highly increase. Furthermore,  undergoing a kitchen renovation can also solve many mechanical issues and lower maintenance requests, as many old appliances tend to falter and fail. 

3. Replace Dated Light Fixtures

Replace outdated light fixtures with modern, elegant alternatives that will appeal to potential rental tenants. This inexpensive fix can immediately improve the ambiance of any room, and impress potential tenants. Modern chandeliers will give small apartments a boost in appeal and style. Other examples of fixtures that need replacing are:

• Door handles that stick
• Mini-binds with missing slats
• Faucets or tubs that drip 
• Cabinet hardware that has lost it's finish

4. Maintain Landscaping 

The exterior of your rental property provides potential tenants with their first impression of your property. Ensure the exterior of your property is always properly maintained and cared for.

Always mow the grass before potential showings. If you have flowerbeds and bushes, spread fresh mulch down to give the exterior a healthy glow. Finally, ensure your property is safe and secured by checking all gate hinges, removing any broken concrete from sidewalks, and confirm the pathways are sturdy.

5. Increase Storage Room

Storage is an overlooked yet highly important priority for renters. Property managers can boost the value of their property by increasing storage options. Some simple ways to increase storage include adding hooks to main areas like entryways and bathrooms, installing closet organizing systems, and adding additional shelving in pantries. More elaborate storage upgrades include installing permanent shelving in the garage, creating built-in shelves, framing in a new closet, and adding a shed on the property.  

6 Simple Ways to Increase Your Home's Resale Value

When it comes time to selling your home, attaining the highest sale price possible is usually at the top of your priority list. Spending large monetary amounts on expensive home upgrades can end up backfiring and taking large portions from your savings. The good news is, there are surprisingly small and cost-effective ways to dramatically increase your home's resale value. Making your home positively stand out in Boston's competitive real estate market should be prioritized. The following minor home improvements have the power to powerfully maximize property resale value.

1. Refinish Hardwood Floors

Freshly refinished hardwood floors can give any home the pleasant feeling of luxury and cleanliness. Potential buyers are often more inclined to purchase a home with newly renovated hardwood floors,  and are willing to pay extra to experience pristine flooring.

2. Replace Old Light Fixtures

Although a relatively inexpensive purchase, light fixtures have the power to completely change the ambiance of any room. Chunky, outdated, and worn light fixtures appear unattractive and dismal to potential buyers, and negatively affects the atmosphere of your property. Such a small home decor purchase has the power to alter the ambiance of any room, and sellers should utilize this knowledge to their advantage. Replace worn and chunky light fixtures with modern, elegant alternatives, and watch the room's entire appearance improve. 

3. Modernize Your Kitchen

Updating your kitchen is another relatively inexpensive purchase that has the power to beautifully transform any home and dramatically increase resale value.  Potential buyers are highly attracted to homes that lack any worn or outdated appliances. Replace outdated and shoddy kitchen appliances with modern, stainless steel appliances to give your home a touch of elegance and newness. Also consider installing a modern kitchen backsplash, with timeless, neutral tile colors.

4.  Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

Repainting your home is one of the most lucrative ways to make your home appear modern and fresh, which instantly boosts appeal and value. Most people prefer neutral paint tones, which is important to keep in mind before embarking on this home improvement. 

5.  Cut Energy Costs 

Possessing an energy-efficient home is a highly marketable advantage, which can save potential home buyers on utility bills. Start by having your local utility company inspect and audit your home's energy consumption. Their utility experts will show you how to increase the overall energy efficiency of your home, and how to decrease rising utility expenses.

6. Replace Old Kitchen Appliances

When renovating your home, it is important to keep in mind that kitchen updates instantly maximize value. Even minor kitchen updates can highly increase the value of your home. For those homeowners on a budget, try starting with small kitchen improvements. Replace stained sinks and outdated, dingy microwaves with modern, stainless steel appliances. For homeowners unconstrained to home improvement budgets, consider replacing all outdated kitchen appliances with modern stainless steel appliances. Furthermore, consider replacing outdated and stained kitchen countertops with modern, elegant granite countertops. 

How to Prevent Property Damage in Colder Temperatures

According to national statistics published by the Insurance Information Institute, property losses procured by snow, ice, and freezing temperatures appear third on the list of serious losses caused by weather, behind hurricanes and tornadoes. As temperatures drop lower in New England, it is important to stay educated on how to properly protect and maintain properties amid harsh winters. Read these tips to avoid catastrophic property losses and damages this winter.

1. Protect Your Pipes

As temperatures drop in New England, it is important to be mindful of protecting your pipes from bursting. The average burst pipe insurance claim stands around $18,000. The damage to your pipes is not the only headache you will be facing. You will also have to deal with floor replacement, sheet-rock replacement, re-painting the room the accident took place in, and possible mold removal and prevention expenses in order to maintain an orderly rental property. Losses can be even worse if the property is occupied and tenant property loss results from the incident.

Luckily, preventing pipes from bursting is a fairly simple project. First, ensure your pipes are properly insulated. Also, remember to occasionally turn on the heat in occupied homes to prevent pipes from freezing up and eventually bursting. Before the first big snowstorm of the year, consider sending a reminder to tenants on preventative measures for bursting pipes. Encourage tenants to open cabinet doors, which allows heat to reach pipes. Additionally, remind them to leave their faucets slightly dripping overnight as a preventative step.

2. Roof Maintenance 

Heavy snow can severely damage a roof that was weak to begin with. In preparation for harsh New England Winters, you should have your roof inspected yearly, preferably before the weather turns icy.  The seal around vents, skylights, and other protrusions should be checked and replaced if necessary. Any loose tiles or shingles should also be replaced before the winter begins. Maintaining your roof yearly can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. 

Gutter maintenance is also highly important for snow drainage. Walk the roof's edge to ensure all downspouts and gutters are secured tightly and free of any debris which may block the drainage of melting snow. 

Contemplate shoveling your roof after a heavy snow, not just your sidewalk and driveway. Heavy snow can create structural damage to your property. Furthermore, when snow melts and refreezes on your roof multiple times, snow can turn into ice dams along your roof which can bring about water damage along your walls.

3. Landscape Concerns 

Trimming trees before New England's harsh winter approaches is necessary. Large tree limbs can crash under heavy snowfalls, and demolish cars and roofs. Now is also the time to bring in outdoor patio furniture and outdoor decorative items which will become damaged as temperatures drop and snowfalls approach. 

4. Formulate an Emergency Plan

The most important step in protecting and maintaining property through New England's harsh winters, is formulating an emergency plan. Property managers should outline an emergency plan for their residents, so they are properly prepared if an emergency occurs. If the power goes out, encourage tenants to use flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles and open flames. Candles and open flames introduce an unnecessary fire hazard that can easily be avoided. An efficient property manager should create a small and affordable emergency safety bag for tenants, with instructions on how to proceed when an emergency strikes. The safety bag should contain battery operated flashlights, a lantern, and detailed instructions with emergency phone numbers to utilize during emergencies. This small amount of effort and money will ensure tenants feel safe, protected, and at peace living in your rental properties.

Although not all property damage is avoidable, by taking these necessary steps and precautions, you can lower your probability of facing catastrophic damage this winter. 

Top Market Trends Impacting Your Boston Real Estate Business

As the final month of the year is reaching an end, it's time to regroup and strategize your company's business objectives and strategy for 2018. Before strategizing an updated business approach, it is imperative to study and understand the latest market trends in Boston real estate. By taking market trends into consideration when constructing marketing and management approaches, you will fare exceedingly better than real estate companies that did not apply researching methods to their own business approach. Here are the latest regional and national real estate trends for rental and job growth, occupancy, and more.

1. The Millennial Take Over

Millennials continue to make up the largest portion of the population, and are most likely the largest demographic of renters. Consider changing your company's technology and marketing plans to target millennials, who value efficiency and flexibility. Our previous blog post, "6 Ways To Attract College Students To Fill Your Apartment Vacancy", holds detailed and valuable information on both attracting, satisfying, and retaining millennial renters.

2. Mobile Technology is Here to Stay

Mobile technology has powerfully revolutionized the real estate industry, allowing potential renters to quickly locate properties and schedule apartment showings instantaneously. Mobile technology has become standard in the rental industry, and continues to hold power: studies show 84% of renters use mobile phones during their apartment search process. Taking the time and resources to properly integrate mobile-friendly features on your real estate company's website has the power to attract renters, and fill vacancies swiftly.

3. U.S Job Growth Continues to Soar

As U.S job growth continues to soar, the demand for rentals continues to climb. Property managers should remain aware that the U.S economy has added more than 150,000 jobs for the second month in December, and the employment rate has dropped to 4.3%.

While numerous market trends exist, property managers should especially take these specific trends into consideration when adjusting their market strategy for 2018. As the millennial generation continues to grow and seek out rentals, tweak your strategy to specifically target the millennial generation, with specific amenities and features marketed towards them. Furthermore, carefully study the job growth and Boston's rental property supply. Retaining this knowledge and applying these marketing trends to your 2018 strategy will open up successful business opportunities for 2018.

How to Make Your Boston Property Listings Stand Out Online

Marketing property listings online has become increasingly important, as more and more potential tenants and buyers search for future new homes on their mobile devices. Whether potential tenants are using a mobile browser, a laptop, or phone application, analyze how this approach will affect your property listings. To truly make your property rise above thousands of other listings, optimize your advertisements to a mobile format and focus on high quality advertisements.

Include Professional Photographs

Taking the time to ensure professional pictures of your property listings will give you a high advantage and make your properties stand out from the crowd. Many people scrolling through properties on mobile devices don't want to waste time reading, and only stop scrolling when they see an attractive picture which catches their interest. By taking professional pictures of your property, your listing is likely to attract more attention compared to real estate companies posting blurry cellphone pictures. Professional, beautiful photos are your first chance to make a good impression on potential buyers or renters. When taking professional photos, do your best to prepare the photos with professional staging techniques. Ensure the property is sparkling clean and free of distracting clutter before taking professional photographs.

Feature the Floor Plan

You can make your property stand out from thousands of similar properties online by featuring the floor plan. Many property listings skip over this important feature, so it may give your management company a competitive lead.

Incorporate Professional Video 

To gain a highly competitive advantage, consider shooting professional videos of the apartment or home. A very small percentage of property managers take the time to shoot and upload high quality video tours of their property listings, therefore you will gain a strong competitive edge.

Create Detailed and Luring Descriptions

Unnecessary details and long paragraphs can distract from your property's appealing features and discourage potential buyers. Craft concise and compelling descriptions, and avoid verbose details. People are extremely busy and want to know the most important features of the property without spending long periods of time reading through extraneous copy. Also, consider using bulleted lists to get your points across in an organized and concise manner. Breaking down your information into bulleted points will allow potential tenants and buyers to quickly scan for the imperative information they are searching for.

Avoid Unprofessional Sales Slang

Don't use common sales language that can cheapen your property and it's amenities. Avoid seedy sales language and inferior slang. Renters and buyers want to feel comfortable while browsing for properties that they are working with professional and serious property management companies.

Halloween Safety Tips for Property Managers

Halloween is fast approaching, and property managers should ensure the properties they manage are kept safe and are running smoothly. To ensure that all residents enjoy a safe and happy holiday, read the following Halloween preparation tips.

1. Keep Pathways Clean and Well-Lit

Free walking paths from leaves and other debris, to ensure trick or treaters can see where they are going and safety navigate your pathway. In addition to cleaning your walkways, consider adding lights to ensure trick or treaters can clearly navigate your pathway without any trips or accidental falls.

2. Keep Pets Indoors

The frantic high energy of Halloween combined with children running around creates an uneasy situation for most pets. While many pets may feel calm amongst trick or treaters going from door to door, it is best to keep pets inside to lower the risk of pets behaving erratically and potentially harming someone. Property managers should advise residents to keep pets indoors on Halloween night.

3. Check Smoke Detectors

Check smoke detectors prior to Halloween to ensure the detectors are working properly, and replace batteries as needed. Residents tend to burn more decorative candles around Halloween, and with candles comes the risk of accidental fires. Furthermore, property managers should recommend flameless candles to their residents. Flameless candles accomplish the ultimate goal of illuminating apartment decorations without the risk of fire.

4. Test Door Locks

Property managers should recommend their residents check their door locks are working properly prior to Halloween night. Halloween brings high frantic energy and a higher volume of people walking around, thus your residents should take extra preventive measures to ensure their belongings are kept safe. Property managers should also make an effort to make any vacant apartment units on their property appear "lived in", to discourage break-ins.

5. Remind Renters of Property Rules

Holidays can bring excess amounts of people in apartment units due to parties and get-togethers. Property managers should take the time to remind residents of property rules and regulations, to ensure an enjoyable and safe Halloween for all residents. Send out a notice reminding residents of trick or treating hours, and outlining applicable property rules such as noise level regulations and visitor regulations.