Prep For a Sale

10 Tips for staging your home for a real estate photo shoot

With the majority of buyers shopping for homes online, high-resolution slide shows and video tours are a must. A well-staged home will look much better to potential buyers, especially when photographed by a professional or an equipped real estate agent. Here are 10 tips for staging a home for a real estate photo shoot:

  1. Pull cars out of the driveway: it gives you a chance to show off the front of the home and the car park area. 
  2. Garbage cans should not be visible in front or back of house (store in garage if possible).
  3. Remove all outside clutter; wrap hoses neatly, put away rakes, children’s toys and mow the lawn.
  4. Pare down. Removing one or two pieces of furniture from each room, even if just for the shoot, can make your space appear larger on screen.
  5. Clear all surfaces — especially kitchen countertops. Cameras also tend to magnify grime.
  6. Get rid of any clutter on surfaces. Arrange books on shelves so they don’t look haphazard. Try to have three items of varying heights on each surface. On an end table you can place a tall lamp (high), a small plant (medium), and a book (low). 
  7. Put toilet seats down and the lights on — a minor detail, but makes a huge difference. 
  8. All window blinds should be at 45-degree upward angle — trust us, it’s the best way to go.
  9. Remove all toys and clothing from floors and surfaces. The camera’s magnifies clutter and poor furniture arrangement so that even a home that feels comfortable in person can look jumbled online.
  10. Do a complete home cleaning; get rid of all dust bunnies and stains throughout the home. 
  11. Bonus tip: Include a healthy plant in every room; the camera loves greenery. Energise bland decor by placing a bright vase on a mantle or draping an afghan over a couch.

Remember that views of your online listing are a first impression that might help a potential buyer decide to look at your home, so make the effort and let it be a good one! Keep the home in shape. Buyers who liked what they saw online expect to encounter the same home in person. 

Source: https://www.adorama.com https://magazine.realtor/