Professional Photography is one of the best tools we can use to market your home. Research shows that homes with high quality photography sell 32% faster, and for a higher sales price. Let’s do everything we can to ensure that your home is shown in its very best light! Here are some tips that you can do to help showcase your home.
General
- Declutter and pack away as many items as possible.
- De-personalize as much as possible. Your family photos are going to be seen all over the internet, it is better to pack them away now.
- Deep clean the home. Make sure to dust and polish your tables and countertops, give your cabinets and doors a wipe down, swipe off those ceiling fans, and give your baseboards a good scrub.
- Replace any burned out lightbulbs. It is helpful if lightbulbs are all the same type, as different types of bulbs appear to be different colors (all incandescent vs. compact fluorescent vs. L.E.D.).
- Pay special attention to cleaning your windows! Your windows are going to let us show the fantastic views you’ve got as well as make your home seem extra light and bright.
- Water and dust household plants. Trim any dead leaves if necessary.
- Remove all pet beds, litter boxes, pet toys and food dishes.
- Seasonal Items can quickly date your home. Seeing your holiday decorations a few weeks after a holiday will make buyers wonder why your home has been on the market so long.
Kitchen/Dining Room
- Remove all magnets and photos from the fridge and wipe down fridge front and handles.
- Clean kitchen cabinets and appliances of any dust or or splatter that may have accumulated.
- Clear countertops and tables of all items, including cutting boards, mail, appliances (ok to leave out 1 max, like the coffee pot).
- Make sure all dishes and utensils are put away.
- Store away any sponges, dish soap dispensers, and dish towels.
- Remove kitchen garbage can and recycling bins for the day.
- Consider placing a centerpiece of fresh flowers, lemons, or fruit on the dining table or countertops.
Living Room/Family Room
- Put away any magazines, books, and remote controls. A decorative basket with a lid is a great place to store items out of view.
- Remove extra blankets or throws on couches and chairs.
- Remove throw rugs and runners.
- Wipe down and turn off television screens and computer monitors.
- Tuck away any visible cords.
- Declutter shelves and fireplace mantel.
Bedrooms
- Make bed and straighten pillows.
- Remove any items from under the bed that may show in photos.
- Remove any personal items from nightstand tables.
- Makes sure all clothing, bathrobes, shoes, etc. are stored out of sight in closets or drawers.
Bathrooms
- Thoroughly clean countertops, sinks, tub and toilet.
- Remove all items from countertop, including toiletries, brushes and curling irons, toothbrushes.
- Replace hanging towels with fresh guest towels.
- Make sure all mirrors and shower doors sparkle.
- Remove shampoo bottles and bath sponges from shower and bath.
- Remove wastebaskets.
Exterior
- Remove any cobwebs from eaves. Hose down siding or stucco if necessary.
- Mow and edge the lawn a few days before photographer arrives (mowing the day of pictures can leave lines in grass and expose patches.)
- Remove all garden tools and hoses.
- Clean or power wash driveway to remove any staining.
- Remove yard decorations, bikes, and toys.
- Sweep all walkways and remove any fallen branches.
- Clean up animal waste.
- Straighten deck furniture, open patio umbrella, and remove the weather cover from grill or barbecue.
What to Do The Day of the Photo Shoot
- Remove all cars from the driveway and front curbs.
- Turn ON all lights and lamps, and turn OFF all ceiling fans.Close all the windows, but open all window shades, curtains.
- Close all toilet lids and make sure there is a fresh roll of toilet paper on the roll. Turn all TV and computer screens OFF. Give floors throughout the home a fresh vacuum/sweep.
- Our local MLS does not allow people or animals in listing photographs. Remove or crate pets in an area of the home that isn’t being photographed.
- Real Estate Photography is not a spectator sport. People will often show up in the reflections of mirrors, televisions, appliances, countertops and adjoining rooms. If you plan on being home during the photo-shoot, please stay in a different part of the house while photos and/or videos are being taken.