Frequently Asked Questions

  • Our background is in starting online companies including Apartments.com, CareerBuilder.com, and Cars.com.
  • SmartReal.com is software as a service (SaaS) company providing photography, video, virtual tours, and related digital services to real estate agents and brokers.
  • We deliver high-quality products and services to our customers at a fair and reasonable price.
  • SmartReal is a customer-centric company. Our principles are quality and customer focus, innovation and evolution, operational excellence, and long-term thinking.
  • Our strategic partner and investor is Ergo Ventures & Advisers.
  • Step 1: quick account setup. You will input your first and last name, your email address and cell phone #. We'll then email you a link to verify your email address and set up your login information and password. Go here.
  • Step 2: you are ready to place your first order for the photography of a property.
    • You will complete your customer account information, including your address, preferred contact information for your properties (it is probably the same email address and cell phone already in the system, but you can update it at any time), and upload your photo (required because we include the agent’s photo and contact information in any media distribution). This is only required for your first order; for future orders, this information will reside in your dashboard. Go here.
    • You can then place an order for photography of a property. You will be asked for the property address, # of bedrooms and bathrooms, the square footage of the property, the level of service requested, and other limited background information on the property to help our photographers prepare for the project. Go here.
    • You will not be billed at this time, but we require the customer to have a valid Florida Real Estate License and a verified credit card on file.
    • You will then be asked your scheduling preference for three possible dates and times for the photography to occur. Once one of your preferred time slots is scheduled, you will be sent a confirmation email and text with the date and time, the photographer's contact information and a link in the event you need to reschedule or cancel the photo shoot. All of this information will also be in your agent dashboard.
    • We require the agent or the agent’s proxy to meet the photographer at the property. Generally, depending on the level of photography service requested, the duration of the photo shoot will be 1 to 3 hours for a property that is 3,000 square feet or smaller.
    • Our photographer will also be happy to shoot quick photos of you (please be respectful of our photographer's time) if you need an updated headshot photo for marketing purposes. You will be able to review these photos in your agent dashboard and use any or all of the photos at no additional charge.
    • Depending on the level of photography service requested, the digital content assets will be delivered to the agent within 12-36 hours.
  • $299 for properties up to 3,000 square feet and 10 cents per foot above 3,000 square feet.
  • Agent-represented Residential Properties For Sale: there is no upfront fee for agent-represented residential properties for sale; we do require a credit card as part of the booking process.
  • Properties For Rent: the credit card on file will be charged after the photography is completed.
  • Commercial Properties and Land For Sale: the credit card on file will be charged after the photography is completed.
  • Payment Process for Agent-represented Residential Properties For Sale:
    • Our system “sweeps” transaction data and recognizes when a property has sold. When the property has sold, the credit card on file is billed.
    • If the agent “has lost the listing,” and is no longer under contract representing the sale of the property, and certifies this with an online affidavit (checks an affirmation box), the agent will not be billed.
  • SmartReal is an open model. The agent or broker is free to use the photographic assets in any appropriate medium. SmartReal provides a license to the customer to use the photography, video and virtual tour assets consistent with typical industry standards.
  • We would appreciate as much notice as possible, but you can reschedule or cancel the photography appointment at any time by emailing or texting the photographer or using your SmartReal dashboard.
  • The previous information you have entered on the property will remain in your dashboard and you can use this to reschedule the appointment.
  • SmartReal is a technology-driven company but we have a very flexible mindset and are not locked into any specific technologic approach; we use and continuously test a variety of equipment, software, hardware, and systems.
  • We also operate a sister company in the automotive space and have shot photos and video of millions of new and used vehicles over the last ten years. Our experience in automotive is that technology constantly evolves. There have been periods of rapid change in the automotive segment where we have changed technology every 3-6 months.
  • We use quite different equipment, software, and processes in real estate versus automotive, but we believe the theme of rapid technological evolution is consistent in both areas.
  • Your SmartReal photographer may be your neighbor. As much as possible, we try to assign projects to photographers in their immediate geography.
  • SmartReal photographers are independent contractors and are required to pass a background check prior to joining the SmartReal network.
  • SmartReal photographers are also required to have all applicable certification and licensing, including for drone operation, necessary for completing all aspects of the photography assignment.
  • There will be significant variability in compensation for photographers depending on the nature of the market, the size and complexity of each respective photography project, and the number of projects assigned and completed per day. On average, we estimate SmartReal photographers will earn approximately $100 per project.
  • Depending on the nature of the market, seasonal timing, variability in market demand, and the day’s assignments, SmartReal estimates a photographer will be assigned approximately 2-4 projects per day or about 15 projects per five day week.