How Do I Prepare My Home For Great Realtor Photos?
When showcasing your property in its best light, the devil is in the details. In a recent episode of the Design Time: From the Floor Up video podcast, host Lindsay the Stager, an occupied home stager based in North Carolina, engaged in a discussion with Matt Harmon of Harmon Property Solutions. Together, they offered invaluable insights into how homeowners can prepare their homes for real estate photos. Now, we’re delving deeper into Harmon Property Solutions’ exclusive photoshoot preparation checklist, revealing the strategies that set your listings apart from the rest.
Preparing Your Home For Real Estate Photos
Table of Contents
1. Boost Curb Appeal
The first impression of your property is forged right at the curb. The best real estate photos begin by ensuring the driveway and yard are impeccably clear of any vehicles or objects. This creates an inviting entry and lays the foundation for captivating images that attract potential buyers. A clutter-free exterior allows the distinctive charm of your property to shine through in real estate photos, significantly enhancing its overall appeal.
- Taming Nature for a Polished Look: Trim any overgrown plants or bushes to create a tidy and well-maintained appearance. This attention to detail signals to potential buyers that the property has been thoughtfully cared for, instilling confidence from the very first glance.
- Sweeping Away Debris for a Clean Slate: Give the driveway and walkways a thorough sweep to remove debris or leaves. This simple yet effective step ensures that every corner exudes a clean, well-maintained aura that leaves a positive impression.
- Welcoming Touches with Potted Plants: Consider adding potted plants or vibrant flowers near the entryway. These natural accents provide a welcoming touch that immediately captures attention and sets a positive tone for potential buyers.
Revitalizing curb appeal is one of 10 Home Improvement Projects For Max Property Value. You’re creating a captivating initial impression and showcasing your property’s unique charm in the best possible light.
2. Create An Outdoor Oasis
Your property’s outdoor space holds a magnetic appeal that can be a significant selling point. Remove large, easily movable objects like landscape equipment, trash cans, and toys. This initial step sets the stage for transforming your backyard into an inviting sanctuary that potential buyers can instantly imagine themselves enjoying. A clean, well-organized outdoor space presents an additional living area in real estate photos, augmenting the overall value of your property.
- Inviting Furniture Arrangement: Arrange outdoor furniture in a layout that beckons potential buyers to envision how they might use the space. This strategic placement showcases the area’s functionality and sparks the imagination.
- Cozy Additions for Comfort: Elevate the atmosphere by introducing cozy elements like cushions or throws. These additions create a sense of comfort and relaxation, turning your outdoor space into an inviting retreat.
- Lush Greenery and Pops of Color: Add potted plants or colorful flowers to infuse life and vibrancy into the outdoor area. Well-maintained greenery complements the space’s natural beauty, creating an environment that’s both captivating and appealing.
By dedicating attention to your outdoor space, you’re expanding the living areas and creating a magnetic oasis that potential buyers can’t help but imagine themselves enjoying.
3. Increase Interior Lighting
Interior lighting is pivotal in real estate photos, acting as a transformative force that can bring out the best in your property. Ensuring every nook and cranny is well-lit is a foundational step in setting the stage for captivating real estate photos. By eliminating distractions like running fans or glowing screens, you create an ambiance that exudes warmth and welcome, making each space more appealing.
- Consistency through Bulb Maintenance: Replace burnt-out bulbs to ensure consistent and well-distributed lighting throughout the property. This attention to detail ensures that every corner is showcased in its best light, creating a seamless visual experience for potential buyers.
- Setting the Mood with Warm-Toned Bulbs: Consider using soft, warm-toned bulbs in living spaces. This choice creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere that resonates with potential buyers. It encourages them to envision themselves relaxing and thriving in the space.
- Strategic Lighting with Lamps: In areas that may naturally be dim, consider employing floor or table lamps to supplement the existing lighting. This strategic addition not only brightens up the space but also adds a layer of depth and visual interest.
By mastering the art of lighting in real estate photos, you’re enhancing the visual appeal of your property and creating an environment that potential buyers find irresistibly welcoming.
4. Embrace Natural Light
The influence of natural light should always be considered for real estate photos. Inviting the sunshine in by throwing open curtains and blinds creates an atmosphere that resonates with potential buyers, instantly making them feel at home. Natural light illuminates spaces and accentuates your property’s unique features, leaving a lasting impression on potential buyers.
- Furniture Arrangement for Optimal Lighting: Arrange furniture strategically to maximize the light flow throughout the room. This enhances the overall brightness and showcases the space’s potential.
- Light-Enhancing Window Coverings: Avoid heavy or dark curtains that may obstruct the flow of natural light. Instead, opt for lighter, sheer fabrics or blinds that allow light to filter through, maintaining a bright and airy ambiance.
- Trimming for Radiant Results: Consider trimming any bushes or trees outside windows to allow maximum natural light to flood in. This simple yet effective step ensures that every corner of the room is bathed in inviting, natural radiance.
By embracing the power of natural light in your real estate photos, you’re creating a welcoming atmosphere and highlighting your property’s true potential. These thoughtful measures enhance the overall appeal, making your space more memorable to potential buyers.
5. Remove Pet Items
While we cherish our furry companions, presenting your real estate photos as a space that invites everyone in is essential. Removing all evidence of pets from the home, including water bowls and beds, allows potential buyers to step into the space without any distractions. A pet-free environment enables buyers to focus entirely on the area’s potential. It alleviates any concerns for those with allergies or sensitivities.
- Tuck Away Pet Essentials: Store pet toys and accessories in a designated storage bin to keep them out of sight. This ensures that the space remains free from any visual reminders of pets, allowing potential buyers to envision themselves in the home.
- Fresh and Allergen-Free: Neglecting your floors has a negative impact on home selling. Vacuuming and cleaning carpets and upholstery is crucial to removing potential allergens. This ensures a clean environment and demonstrates your commitment to maintaining a well-kept space.
By implementing these measures, you’re creating a space that appeals to a broader audience. This thoughtful approach sets the stage for potential buyers to fully appreciate your property’s possibilities.
6. Clear The Clutter
A clutter-free space photographs exceptionally well. When countertops are free of personal belongings and other clutter, it allows potential buyers to see the full potential of each space without any distractions. This clean, open canvas enables buyers to imagine their own belongings in the space, making it more appealing and memorable.
- Concealed Essentials: Hide everyday items like trash cans, paper towels, dish rags, and soap dispensers. Closets or pantries are excellent spaces to keep them out of sight, allowing the kitchen to shine.
- Minimalist Countertops: Store small appliances and kitchen gadgets in cabinets to create a clean, open countertop. This not only declutters the space but also showcases the available workspace.
- Organized Solutions: Consider using decorative baskets or bins to keep essential items organized but out of sight. This adds a touch of style while maintaining a clutter-free environment.
- Personal Touch: While cherished, excessive personal items like family photos can be a distraction for potential buyers. Removing them allows visitors to better envision themselves in the space.
By following these steps, you’re creating an inviting environment that allows potential buyers to see the space’s true potential. It paves the way for stunning real estate photos that capture the essence of your property.
7. Clean Each Room
Investing in a professional cleaning service is a small expense with a substantial impact. When potential buyers step into a spotless environment, they see a canvas ready to be captured perfectly through professional real estate photography. This step ensures that your property looks more appealing in photographs and instills confidence in potential buyers that the property has been well cared for.
- High-Touch Areas: Give special attention to high-touch areas like doorknobs, light switches, and handles. These spots accumulate fingerprints and smudges and need a thorough cleaning to make them shine.
- Bathroom Brilliance: Bathrooms are a focal point for many buyers. Ensure all surfaces gleam, from countertops to flooring. A sparkling bathroom exudes cleanliness and adds to the space’s overall appeal.
- Kitchen Radiance: The kitchen is often considered the heart of a home. Make sure it shines. Wipe down all surfaces, paying particular attention to appliances, faucets, and handles. A sparkling kitchen conveys a well-maintained property to potential buyers.
A clean home sets the stage for exceptional real estate photos. It invites potential buyers to envision themselves in a space that’s aesthetically pleasing and meticulously cared for.
8. Stage Your Home
When presenting your property in the best possible light, hiring a professional home stager is just as crucial as enlisting an experienced real estate photographer. The expertise of staging companies for real estate ensures that your home is showcased to its fullest potential, allowing potential buyers to envision themselves living there.
Occupied and vacant home staging can set your listing apart from the competition. It transforms your property into a welcoming, aspirational space, enabling buyers to see your home’s full scope of possibilities.
However, we understand that professional staging may not always be an option. If you find yourself in this situation, here are a few tips to help you stage your home effectively:
- Neutral Tones for a Universal Canvas: Opt for neutral tones in furnishings and decor. This creates a blank canvas that allows potential buyers to easily imagine their own style in the space.
- Strategic Furniture Arrangement: Arrange furniture to emphasize the flow and functionality of each room. This helps potential buyers visualize how they would use the space daily.
- Thoughtful Details for a Polished Look: Consider adding thoughtful touches like fresh flowers, decorative pillows, or artwork. These elements enhance the overall aesthetic, creating a welcoming atmosphere for potential buyers.
Remember, home staging aims to create a space that feels inviting and allows potential buyers to envision themselves living there. By staging a house for sale, you can significantly enhance the appeal of your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers.
Final Thoughts: Elevate Your Real Estate Venture
By following this comprehensive real estate photography checklist, you’re taking a significant step toward presenting your real estate photos in the best possible light. This checklist ensures that your property’s unique features are highlighted, making it more appealing to potential buyers.
Remember, it’s not just about the photographs; it’s about creating an experience that elevates your real estate photos. Every detail, from lighting to flooring, matters. Embrace this checklist, and say goodbye to lackluster listings. Say hello to a world where your property shines, leaving a lasting impression on potential buyers.
