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Original poster

Right move listing am I being ridiculous?

141 replies

holigogo · 30/04/2025 07:41

Settle a discussion between me and my husband.
I said that if a right move listing doesn’t have a picture of the front of the house as the main picture I usually scroll past. e.g if the first pic is of the garden, inside of the house, or drone shot.
He said I’m being ridiculous. He’s probably right but got me thinking as we’re going to sell our house soon what stops you clicking on a listing and what is the ideal first picture?

OP posts:
jcsc · 01/05/2025 19:03

I work in estate agency. Rightmove advise agents to alternate the photos every 2 weeks or so. Reason for this is because people will scroll and see the same photo of the same house each time and may not click for more info. If the outside photo is changed to another photo it increases the click through rate as clients don’t recognise it from the new main photo.

2to5 · 01/05/2025 19:16

I think it usually happens when a houses jnside is unexpectedly modern like a terrace or average looking house has a stunning kitchen extension with bifold doors onto an unexpectedly large beautiful garden. I would necessarily assume there was something wrong with the front. If people think they're only going to get that with a certain front of house look they will scroll past

IsThistheMiddleofNowhere · 01/05/2025 19:30

Doesn't matter if the front of the house isn't the first photo, along as its shown somewhere. If it's not shown at all, I would probably scroll on by

Laura95167 · 01/05/2025 19:32

I agree, its like if a site like eBay or vinted sells a dress i want the first picture to show the full dress not a close up of part of it.

JustMeAndTheFish · 01/05/2025 19:50

I’ve never even thought about it! I search for price and then just look at all the pictures.

LindaMo2 · 01/05/2025 20:23

holigogo · 30/04/2025 07:41

Settle a discussion between me and my husband.
I said that if a right move listing doesn’t have a picture of the front of the house as the main picture I usually scroll past. e.g if the first pic is of the garden, inside of the house, or drone shot.
He said I’m being ridiculous. He’s probably right but got me thinking as we’re going to sell our house soon what stops you clicking on a listing and what is the ideal first picture?

Clearly kerb appeal matters.

tempname1234 · 01/05/2025 21:51

I personally think the better images of the house should appear first - to grab your attention, entice you to stop scrolling and look further

that is not always the front of the house. That is ok with me

BUT a photo of the front of the house should be included in the photos somewhere otherwise I would think something is wrong with the house.

Cariadm · 01/05/2025 22:39

abbey44 · 30/04/2025 19:43

This has been an interesting read! I’m planning to put my house on the market soon and this is something I’ve been thinking about - my house is a bog-standard 1980s townhouse, but right on the beachfront. I’m not under any illusions about its kerb appeal - that’s frankly unremarkable - the wow factor is in the views. 180-degree panorama across the sea, with France in the distance, and the beach just outside. I’m torn….front of house (boring) or view from the living room out to sea…?

No question about it, you should go with '180-degree panorama across the sea, with France in the distance, and the beach just outside' every time, it's a no brainer! 🙄
There was a time when EA's used to say that a view didn't count and made no difference to the value of a property but those days are well gone...we live rurally and quite secluded in a semi-detached house in what was once a very working class area of a small clay mining town in Cornwall, it's not considered to be among one of the most desirable touristy areas BUT we live up a country lane on a hill outside the village with far reaching also panoramic views across Bodmin Moor right across to Dartmoor and I would always use this as the selling point as opposed to the house itself which btw isn't too shabby but the view is mind blowing! 😊

Snakebite61 · 02/05/2025 00:58

holigogo · 30/04/2025 07:41

Settle a discussion between me and my husband.
I said that if a right move listing doesn’t have a picture of the front of the house as the main picture I usually scroll past. e.g if the first pic is of the garden, inside of the house, or drone shot.
He said I’m being ridiculous. He’s probably right but got me thinking as we’re going to sell our house soon what stops you clicking on a listing and what is the ideal first picture?

I want to see all of it. Not showing the front would make me bypass it. I want to see how it fits into the street. (If that makes sense to you)

joles12 · 02/05/2025 07:08

andweallloveclover · 30/04/2025 07:56

Why when selling a house, would your first photo not be of the front of the house? Its normally because its not the most attractive house or there is something about the house that may put people off.

The agents will use what they deem something that might draw people in to look further such as a nice kitchen or garden instead. It wouldn't stop me having a look if it was the right price/area/bedrooms etc though but it would make me intrigued as to what was wrong with it.

It’s a privacy issue potentially - people don’t want random people knowing their house is for sale so fejj ok not of house goes further back - only people really interested are then looking

OneDayIWillLearn · 02/05/2025 07:17

Yes I definitely assume this! But our last house - which was a perfectly nice looking Victorian terrace - had the kitchen as a front picture. I only looked properly because I knew the road and it’s all Victorian terraces. Never understood why they did that….the kitchen wasn’t even that nice

busymomtoone · 02/05/2025 09:49

Totally get why you say this - but as an “ ugly house” owner need to point out first flagged our property through direct newspaper sale and were v curious because 2more bedrooms than average area price and in perfect location. Had we not visited would NEVER have viewed from a front pic. Sadly sale fell through and neighbouring property came onto market ( again no front pic)via estate agency. We secured purchase in highly competitive market and paid 25% less for similar footage. I now look onto gorgeous Victorian properties and they look onto mine!!!
My house is bright, spacious and perfectly located - it’s just v uninspiring from front ( and would need £££ to transform ). Similarly a friend has a fabulous 2 bed maisonette in a prestigious area of London - with a garden - but as ex local authority the outside is fairly uninspiring - so her garden always leads sale/ rental pics!! Basically if the front of the house is your primary concern then I’d agree scroll past- but if extra space/ facilities/ great location/ amazing garden/ good neighbours etc are a priority then you may well be missing a hidden gem! I always think of the American estates with rules re colour pallets, lawn mowing, signage etc as a yardstick- know the two are not mutually incompatible- but possibly because such mixed bunch of properties on our road everyone is very inclusive ( no “ beat the Joneses” types) and we have a fabulous community spirit with what’s app etc. I moved from a stunning Georgian property, so do miss my beautiful windows- but am actually amazed how little I am concerned re front of house - I mean I’m not sitting staring at it - and I get way more space and bonuses accommodation wise than 90% of people in the vicinity! Just food for thought !!

Roxy69 · 02/05/2025 10:00

Definitely front of house picture first, then swipe immediately right to see the back garden. If it's slabbed, concreted etc I move on. Then also hot tubs and other items would have to go with vendors as part of the conditions of sale. Estate agents IMHO deserve their bad rep and I have had dealings with quite a few as I am really keen to move ASAP.

abbey44 · 02/05/2025 10:17

Cariadm · 01/05/2025 22:39

No question about it, you should go with '180-degree panorama across the sea, with France in the distance, and the beach just outside' every time, it's a no brainer! 🙄
There was a time when EA's used to say that a view didn't count and made no difference to the value of a property but those days are well gone...we live rurally and quite secluded in a semi-detached house in what was once a very working class area of a small clay mining town in Cornwall, it's not considered to be among one of the most desirable touristy areas BUT we live up a country lane on a hill outside the village with far reaching also panoramic views across Bodmin Moor right across to Dartmoor and I would always use this as the selling point as opposed to the house itself which btw isn't too shabby but the view is mind blowing! 😊

Show quote history

That sounds fabulous - fancy a swap? 😁

XVGN · 02/05/2025 10:19

I use the Area360 add-in for RM on Chrome and check the flood risk and noise levels first, then crime next, so I can afford to waste a bit of time on someone who is ashamed of their home's picture.

Freeatlast2 · 02/05/2025 11:39

My first photo was the back of the house. The front of the house never takes a good photo due to the tree and large hedge covering surrounding the property, and the light as a result. Every photo had shading on it.

it mattered not, someone had seen our for sale board before the listing went live, came to view and offered the asking price. I’ve now moved and it was the easiest house sale in terms of viewings I’ve ever been through 😂

OneLemonCat · 04/05/2025 08:37

I am looking for a new home at the moment… sometime a different view makes you click on it and look further if it’s come up on my search criteria ..

Wish44 · 04/05/2025 08:48

And this is why I love mumsnet…. Gets you out of your echo chamber…. I would presume the opposite if front wasn’t main picture. I would presume that what was main picture was something special… like garden… and that this would make the house more desirable… house fronts are boring , mostly….

WonderingWanda · 04/05/2025 08:51

I think if you are serious about buying you look at everything. Many buyers are not deterred by ugly houses or those which need worm because with current house prices we are looking for a bargain that we can add value to.

askmenow · 04/05/2025 11:21

Yep I'd just scroll past if there were many listings to work thru. If only two then I'd look further.
Just looking at Ebay handbags today... same applies, so many folk don't know how to properly market their goods. Close up photos of the linings, the handles, the pockets and leather but not of the complete item showing the shape/design.

Hit your prospective buyer between the eyes and dress the front of your home ready for sale. Impressions are everything.
Don't they say, a buyer makes up their minds in seconds whether to scroll past!

ACynicalDad · 04/05/2025 11:36

I often click but my motivation is to find out what's awful about it.

Bikergran · 04/05/2025 15:42

I agree with you, but a surprising number of people don't, and even some nice houses have a completely random shot as the cover picture.

returningbrit · 05/05/2025 01:13

The house we bought a few years back in had it's 1st few picture as a shot of the rear of the house and of the view out the back. No regrets here at all.
Our house has a long driveway and is sat on a hillside with such a gradient that the back of the house is three stories but at the front only two and as the driveway is at the level with the top floor it could even pass as a bungalow from one bad angle out front.😂
The view out the back and looking up at the house from the back garden is the gift that keeps on giving. I kind of like knowing that to anyone out at the front door they don't know how absolutely stunning it is. (it is still an attractive house from the front just very much more cute/petite).
I feel you have to work to the house's strengths and the unique selling point for the first photo. It doesn’t need to be the frontage but should be an external shot of some sort.

janeandmarysmum · 05/05/2025 10:10

It's ridiculous to dismiss a house because the office junior who is in charge of uploading the photos doesn't do a good job.

XVGN · 05/05/2025 10:18

janeandmarysmum · 05/05/2025 10:10

It's ridiculous to dismiss a house because the office junior who is in charge of uploading the photos doesn't do a good job.

It demonstrates a lack of care and attention that may manifest itself in bigger issues later on, so not ridiculous. It's a bit like EA's who cannot spell accommodation. The most important word in their business, and with the availability of spell checkers, make the error one that cannot be ignored.