According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 92% of homebuyers begin their home search online. Online photos provide potential buyers with an idea of the size, layout, and condition of a house without them having to set foot inside. The saying, “You never get a second chance at making a first impression” also applies when selling your home. Beautiful photos will make a great first impression and will make your listing stand out from the competition. This will likely lead to more showings and more offers. That’s why hiring a professional real estate photographer is one of the best things you can do to make your listing shine. But, before the photographer arrives, there are a few things you should do to prepare your home for real estate photos… Read our four tips below!
Tip #1 – Less is More
When preparing your home for real estate photos, try to thin out as much of your household belongings as you can. You are going to have to pack for the big move anyway, so you might as well get a head start. This will simply save you time when the actual move date comes! Packing up most of your belongings will also make your kitchen, closets, bookshelves, and kid’s rooms look more spacious.
The goal is to create a stylish, generic room in which the buyer can picture themselves living in. If you include too many personal effects, such as photos and knickknacks, it makes it more difficult for the buyer to imagine their own things in the room. So, get rid of the distractions and eliminate any clutter that may be present. Be sure to clean as you go too.
Tip #2 – Let in the Light
The next thing you’ll want to do when preparing for real estate photos is to turn on all the lights in your home. Make sure each light bulb is in working order. You should also raise all the window shades/blinds and hang them at the same length and in the same direction. If the outside or inside of your windows are dirty, give them a good cleaning as well. The more light you can get in your home, the better!
Tip #3 – First Impressions Matter
Again, we’ll stress the importance of first impressions. Since the exterior is the first thing people will see when they pull up to your house, it is very important the curb view is neat and tidy. When preparing your home for real estate photos, ensure the garbage cans are not in view. You also want to keep in mind that you are selling your home, not your car! So, move any cars out of the driveway and do not park them in front of the home.
If the exterior of your home is dirty, consider hiring cleaning professionals to really help it shine. Don’t forget the landscaping as well! While you don’t need to go to great lengths to redo your landscaping, you’ll want to ensure that it is tidy looking. Spend some time removing weeds and debris, mowing the grass, and perhaps laying down fresh mulch or planting new flowers.
Tip #4 – Practice Makes Perfect
When preparing your home for real estate photos, you can snap practice pictures with your own camera. This will give you an idea of what the home will look like on camera before the photographer shows up. Examine the photos and make changes to improve each room’s appearance. You can try opening blinds, removing magnets from the refrigerator, or taking down distracting art. Have fun with it!
