As more people are doing their house hunting online, the easiest way to attract potential buyers to your home is to have stand-out images. You want your home to look unique and charming yet livable. Taking the steps to make your home look like a show-home is not as intimidating as it may seem and may not take a lot of time. We recommend taking as many of these steps as possible!
THE EXTERIOR
Having an attractive exterior will interest potential buyers into seeing more of the home. Here are some things to consider:
Do not park cars on the driveway or in front of the home. This makes taking pictures difficult and will hides features.
Move any garbage bags, garbage bins, or toys away from the yard and front of the house. The best place to store these items would be in the garage or, if possible, a shed.
Be sure to make any garden area and lawn look tidy. Gardens and landscaping add to the appeal of the home, so long as they are well kept.
In the winter, be sure that any walkway, sidewalk, and driveway is shovelled and clear.
THE LIGHTING
Using lighting is a great way to highlight your home. The right kind of lights can make a home look larger, warmer, and inviting. It also helps improve the overall image quality. Here are some things to consider:
Be aware of which direction your house faces and when the house gets the best natural lighting.
Be sure all of the windows are washed.
Change any light bulbs that are burnt out. Keep the colours consistent. Yellow light looks warmer than White light and can give a different feel to the home.
Before the photographer comes, be sure to draw back any curtains and to open any blinds. Natural lights gives the home a more open and bigger appearance.
THE INTERIOR
The amount of work needed to stage a home for photos can be daunting. However, there are not as many steps needed to make a room look great in photos. Buyers focus primarily on the Master Bedroom, the Kitchen, and larger common areas, so attention to detail in these places is crucial. Consider these for preparing the inside of a home:
All cleaning must be done before photographer arrives.
If possible, move any floor mirrors. They can affect the angles and how pictures are taken in a room.
Put away any personal items, such as pictures, receipts, hygiene products, or pet belongings. These will all be visible in the photos.
When staging a room, less is more. It is not necessary to empty a room, however clutter can make a room look smaller.
All rooms above ground level must be scanned for measurements, but closets need not be. However, the Master Closet may be a selling feature and worth showcasing.”
DURING THE PHOTOSHOOT
When taking photos of a house, people and pets must not be in the pictures. Consider the following suggestions for what to do when the photographer arrives:
It is easiest for the photographer to take pictures when the home is unoccupied. Consider planning to be away for a short time.
Arrange for pets to be out of the house, or in an area that doesn’t need to be photographed, such as the garage. Ask your photographer if you have any questions.
If you are not planning to be at home during the time of the appointment, be sure to let either the real estate agent or photographer know of any pets or people that may be in the home at that time.
Setting a home up to have pictures taken is not as daunting as it may seem, and good results can help a home sell faster and with a higher value. It is always important to take some time into making the home as nice as possible for when the photographer comes, and to help the process go as fast and as smooth as possible.