Short answer: Upgrading your listing's photos and videos with professional-quality shots and virtual staging can make it stand out more effectively than a price cut, which risks signaling deeper issues with the property.
Relisting a home with fresh, high-quality photos and videos, along with virtual staging, can draw more attention than a price cut, which may imply underlying problems.
Why Price Reductions Don't Work: The Data Speaks
When a home sits on the market for an extended period, real estate agents often face a critical decision: should they reduce the price or invest in new listing photos and virtual staging? The data is clear - price reductions are not the answer.
In fact, according to Redfin's data center, a price cut of at least 1% from the previous list price is required to even be counted in their dataset. This means that even a seemingly small reduction can make a significant difference in how your client's property is perceived by potential buyers.
However, the realtor.com data from July 2026 shows that price per square foot fell 2.0%, and is now declining in 34 of the top 50 metros. This decline is led by a surprising pair of regions, where the share of listings with a cut hit 20.0%, just 0.6 percentage points less than in 2025.
While price reductions might seem like a quick fix, they can actually harm your client's property more than help. When you lower the price, you imply that there's something wrong with the home, which can deter potential buyers. Instead, investing in new listing photos and virtual staging can make a world of difference in how your client's home is presented online.
The realtor.com data also reveals that pending sales rose for an eighth straight month, although the pace has cooled from May's +4.1%. This means that homes are selling faster, but the emphasis should be on making your client's property stand out in a competitive market.
New listing photos and virtual staging can showcase your client's home in the best light, without the stigma of a price reduction. By upgrading your client's online presence, you'll attract more potential buyers and ultimately sell the property faster and for a better price.
In the next section, we'll dive into how virtual staging can transform your client's property into a buyer's dream home.
Stale Listings: Recognizing When It's Time for New Photos
When a listing has been on the market for a while without generating much interest, it's natural for an agent to start considering their next steps. In some cases, the instinct might be to cut the price, hoping that a lower price will attract more buyers. However, as the data shows, price reductions are becoming increasingly common, and they may not be the most effective solution. Instead, relisting the home with new photos can be a more impactful approach.
A stale listing can be identified by a lack of showing activity and few to no offers. This is often a sign that the home is not standing out among the competition. By updating the photos, agents can freshen up the listing and make it more appealing to potential buyers. New photos can showcase any improvements or updates that have been made since the original listing photos were taken, giving buyers a new perspective on the property.
Moreover, buyers today are more visual than ever, with many starting their home search online. According to the National Association of Realtors, 44% of home buyers found their home online, and 51% of those used a real estate listing site like Zillow or Trulia. With this in mind, it's crucial to have high-quality, eye-catching photos that will capture the attention of these online shoppers.
In addition to showcasing any improvements, new photos can also highlight the home's best features and create a more inviting atmosphere. This can be especially important for listings that may have some drawbacks or challenges. By focusing on the positives, agents can help overcome any potential objections and make the listing more desirable to buyers.
Relisting with new photos is a quick and cost-effective solution compared to price reductions. Rather than lowering the price and potentially undervaluing the home, updating the photos allows agents to market the property in the best light without sacrificing their client's equity. It's a simple yet powerful strategy that can make a big difference in attracting buyers and ultimately selling the home.
Upgrading Your Listing Photos Can Lead to a Faster Sale
When your client's property isn't selling, it can be tempting to lower the price to attract more buyers. However, as the data shows, price reductions aren't always the best strategy. Instead, consider upgrading the listing photos and videos with professional enhancements from Roughdraft Studio.
High-quality photos can make a significant difference in how buyers perceive your client's home. A well-lit, staged, and professionally shot photo can pique a buyer's interest and encourage them to schedule a viewing. In contrast, poorly lit or unappealing photos can deter potential buyers, leading to fewer showings and a longer time on the market.
By investing in photo and video upgrades, you can showcase your client's home in the best light, highlighting its unique features and selling points. The enhanced visuals can help your listing stand out among the competition, drawing in more potential buyers and ultimately leading to a faster sale.
Moreover, virtual staging allows you to create a more appealing and cohesive look for your client's property, even if it's currently vacant or has outdated decor. By adding virtual furniture, artwork, and accessories to the listing photos, you can give buyers a clearer vision of how the home could look when they move in, making it more attractive and increasing its marketability.
In the current market, where homes are selling faster and buyers are more discerning, it's crucial to use every tool at your disposal to make your client's property as appealing as possible. Upgrading the listing photos and videos with professional enhancements from Roughdraft Studio can be a game-changer in getting your client's home sold quickly and at the best possible price.
Upgrading Listing Photos Boosts Curb Appeal and Sales
When relisting a home, upgrading the photos can make a significant difference in its appeal to potential buyers. High-quality listing photos showcase the property's best features and create an enticing first impression. In today's market, where buyers are increasingly browsing online, having eye-catching photos is crucial.
Take, for example, a listing that has been on the market for several months without generating much interest. After reviewing the current photos, you notice that they are poorly lit, blurry, and fail to highlight the home's unique selling points. Upgrading these photos with professional-grade listing photos can make a world of difference.
By investing in photo upgrades, you can:
1. Showcase the property's best features: High-quality photos can highlight the home's unique characteristics, such as modern renovations, spacious rooms, or beautiful landscaping. This can make the property stand out from competitors and attract more potential buyers.
2. Improve curb appeal: First impressions are crucial, and a home's exterior can be a deal-breaker for many buyers. Upgraded photos can make the home look more inviting and well-maintained, increasing its appeal to potential buyers.
3. Increase online visibility: In today's market, most buyers start their home search online. Professional-grade photos can help your listing stand out in search results and social media, increasing its visibility to potential buyers.
4. Justify a higher price: Well-crafted photos can make the home look more valuable, justifying a higher price point. This can help you get the best possible deal for your client.
In conclusion, investing in photo upgrades when relisting a home can significantly improve its chances of selling quickly and at a higher price. By showcasing the property's best features and creating an enticing first impression, you can attract more potential buyers and ultimately help your client get the best possible outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does relisting reset days on market?
On most MLS systems a genuine relist restarts the counter, which is why the media has to change with it.
Is a price cut ever the better move?
When the listing is priced above comparable sales, media cannot fix it — the two problems are separate.
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