REAL estate agents in Bathurst are resorting to new techniques in an effort to communicate the value of a property to buyers while the region is experiencing drought.
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Agent Chapman Real Estate's David Chapman said the drought and the move to water restrictions are affecting the sales prices that can be achieved in Bathurst.
As new turf and existing lawns can't be watered, many properties aren't presenting as well as they could and not achieving the prices they otherwise would.
"First impressions are a golden rule in real estate, and sadly home owners and real estate agents have sort of got one arm tied behind their back at the moment because they can't present a home with nice, lush green grass," Mr Chapman said.
"What I'm having to resort to doing is I'm showing buyers both the raw images of what a property looks like with brown dirt out the front, but I'm also adding grass to my photos to give an artist's impression of what a property can and will look like once water restrictions are lifted."
This technique gives buyers an impression of what a property can look like and can give them confidence to make a purchase. It also informs them about water restrictions in the region.
Mr Chapman said he always provides the real photos in his online listings and discloses when there are photos that have been doctored to include grass.
As long as agents are honest bout their photos, he said there shouldn't be an issue.
"As agents, we've got to be careful not to mislead potential purchasers, which is why there's a disclaimer in the advertising," Mr Chapman said.
