We're sharing 5 things you can do to show off your home's nicest features and present
it in the best light to potential buyers. Hint: This will also get it sold faster!
We know that getting ready to sell your home can be a stressful time, and the listing shoot is one of the most important parts of the process. Homes that hit the market with stellar photos are known to attract more attention from potential buyers, and sell faster than homes with sub-par photos. While we as real estate photographers take on the bulk of the responsibility in making sure your home stands out, we realize that homeowners often want to know what they can do to make sure their home is presented in the best light. So, we've compiled a list of the 5 best tips that will help you get your home ready for its close-up!
#1 - Declutter, Declutter, Declutter
Spaces that are riddled with various trinkets and personal items are distracting to potential buyers. Tidy up the open areas in your home, giving special attention to the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Those are spaces that potential buyers really aim to imagine themselves and their families in, so it's important to make a great impression there.
Second, your furniture arrangement should allow for some room to walk. If you notice your furniture is a bit too close together, consider rearranging it to a more open design. Lastly, if you have any loose trinkets or decor items, a good rule of thumb is to arrange them using the rule of threes.
#2 - Pay Special Attention to the Kitchen
Piggy-backing off of tip #1, it is very important to pay a lot of attention to the kitchen as you're prepping your home. Be sure to do a deep clean here, as buyers tend to use the kitchen as a marker of how well a home has been maintained. Also, aim to show off the counter space as much as possible. Even if you don't feel like your home has a lot of counter space, you can give the appearance of having more by clearing them off. Do this by organizing the essentials in a way that is aesthetically pleasing, and removing the rest.
As a bonus, consider investing in some new kitchen towels to add some nice color the space.
#3 - Create a Cozy Bedroom
Since we spend a third of our day sleeping, it only makes sense that the feeling buyers get when viewing their potential bedroom would affect their decision to attend an open house or put in an offer. For listing photos and open houses, be sure to remove any random clothing, unnecessary furniture, and loose items. Also, be sure to pull back any curtains to allow the room to appear as open and bright as possible! For open houses, in order to appeal to multiple senses, consider adding a lightly scented air freshener or candle.
#4 - Get Inspired
When you're cleaning and preparing your bathrooms, try taking inspiration from some nice hotels you've traveled to. You'll want to make your bathrooms appear as clean and efficient spaces. Do this by keeping decor to a minimum and removing personal items (yes, I'm talking about toothbrushes too!). Also, consider adding some fluffy, white towels or robes in the Owner's bath, to add a more luxurious feel.
#5 - Don't Forget the Exterior
While prepping the interior of a home, it's easy to forget how much improving its curb appeal can set your home apart from others on the market. Be sure to tend to the landscaping, and remove any signs, hoses, and trash bins ahead of time. Sweep the porch and/or patio, and arrange any outdoor furniture as you would imagine it in the showroom of a store. And finally, do your best to keep any cars out of the driveway.
That wraps up our tips for preparing a home for a listing photoshoot or open house! We know that if you use these tried-and-true methods, you'll feel confident that your home will photograph well and sell quickly! If you need to schedule listing photography or videography for a home, you can head over to our website and we'll get it done fast!