Photography · Real Estate
Before the Photographer Comes
Most of what makes a listing photo great happens before we ever arrive. A little prep, often free, makes a big difference in how fast a property sells.
Sell the property, not your home
Look at it the way a buyer will
Buyers have their own style and taste, and they're picturing their own furniture and their own life in the space. That is why it works best to declutter and depersonalize as much as you can. Keep it clear, clean and simple so they can imagine themselves living there.
Notice we say property, not home. The moment you decide to sell, stop seeing it as your home and start seeing it as a property you want someone else to buy. Most of the fixes are simple and cost nothing.
Buyers judge on first impressions, and they form them from the pictures, long before they read the description. Clear, bright, well-composed photos put your listing a step ahead of the competition, and that is much easier to pull off when the property is ready for its close-up.
- Clear the clutter, including floors and counters
- Remove most personal photos and keepsakes
- Open every blind and turn on every light
- Clean, then clean again
- Give every room one clear purpose
- Finish the small repairs first
Your checklist
Outside and inside
Curb appeal
First impressions count. Tidy the front garden and the approach to the house. Trim overgrown shrubs and trees that dominate the frame, and pay attention to siding or brick, trim, shutters and painted surfaces. Move wheelie bins, outdoor appliances, hoses, kids' toys and other clutter into the garage.
Clutter
Clutter makes a room look small as well as messy. Clear all surfaces, including the floor. Furniture and art on the walls can stay, but bean bags, door stops, pet beds and piles of anything should go.
Depersonalize
Take down most family photos and personal collections (yes, even your cute hedgehogs). People need to be able to picture their own things in the space.
Color and style
Try to coordinate a little. If a green sofa and a pink fluffy rug are fighting, remove the rug and show off the floors you've been hiding.
Spotless kitchen & baths
The living areas, kitchen and bathrooms matter most, so clean these until they sparkle. Make the bathroom look as unused as possible: remove bath towels and floor mats, leaving one nice towel on the rack to set the scene.
Light and bright
Draw back the curtains and open the blinds so every room feels bright and airy. Small touches such as fresh flowers or a new shower curtain add flair for very little money.
One purpose per room
People like rooms with a clearly defined purpose. If your study doubles as a playroom with a dining table and a TV, decide what the room is and remove anything that conflicts with it. Nobody expects you to pack up your whole life.
Repairs
Touch up the paint, tidy the fixtures and finish whatever needs finishing before the photographer comes, and well before buyers start inspecting.
Get it camera-ready
What a prepared property looks like
Ready when you are
Get it ready, then let us shoot it
A fairly priced property that buyers can see themselves living in sells fast. Clear the clutter, clean the house, and we'll take care of making it look its best.
Book a Real Estate Shoot Ask a QuestionNeed help staging? We can help with furniture and accessory placement inside, outside and room by room, and we're happy to point you to good deals if you need a few extra pieces to make the place show-worthy. Advice is always free.