In today’s competitive real estate market, first impressions are crucial. And in the digital age, those first impressions are often formed through online photographs. That’s why it’s essential for real estate agents to know how to prep a home for photography in a way that showcases its best features and attracts potential buyers.
This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about prepping a home for real estate photography, including:
- The importance of professional photography: In a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors®, 89% of homebuyers who shop online notice photos first when looking for a home. This means that high-quality photos are essential for capturing attention and getting potential buyers to click through to your listing.
- Tips for prepping the interior of the home: From decluttering and depersonalizing to cleaning and staging, we’ll cover all the steps you need to take to ensure that the interior of the home looks its best in photos.
- Tips for prepping the exterior of the home: Don’t forget the curb appeal! We’ll provide tips for making the exterior of the home look inviting and welcoming.
- A checklist to ensure you don’t miss anything: We’ve included a handy checklist to help you make sure you’ve covered all the bases before the photographer arrives.
By following these tips, you can help your listings stand out from the competition and get top dollar for your clients’ homes.
The Importance of Professional Photography
Professional photography is an investment that will pay off in the long run. High-quality photos can help you:
- Capture attention: Great photos will make your listing stand out from the competition and attract more potential buyers.
- Get more views: Listings with professional photos are shown more often on real estate websites and apps.
- Sell homes faster: Homes with professional photos sell faster and for more money.
Tips for Prepping the Interior of the Home
- Declutter: The first step to prepping any home for photography is to declutter. Remove any unnecessary furniture, personal items, and clutter from each room. This will help create a clean and spacious feel.
- Depersonalize: Remove any personal items from the home, such as family photos, artwork, and religious items. This will help potential buyers envision themselves living in the space.
- Clean: Thoroughly clean the entire home, including the floors, walls, windows, and appliances. Make sure to pay attention to the details, such as removing dust from baseboards and light fixtures.
- Stage: Stage the furniture in a way that is inviting and functional. Create conversation areas in the living room, set the dining table for a meal, and make the beds with fresh linens.
- Light: Open all the curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. Turn on all the lights in the home, including lamps and overhead lights.
- Remove small rugs: Small rugs can make a room look smaller and cluttered. Remove them before the photographer arrives.
Tips for Prepping the Exterior of the Home
- Mow the lawn: Make sure the lawn is mowed and edged.
- Trim the bushes: Trim any overgrown bushes or trees.
- Plant flowers: Add some color to the front yard with fresh flowers.
- Clean the siding: Wash the siding of the home to remove any dirt or grime.
- Power wash the driveway: Power wash the driveway to remove any oil stains or other marks.
- Clean the porch: Sweep the porch and remove any furniture or clutter.
- Store away trash cans and other unsightly items: Hide away trash cans, hoses, garden tools, and other unsightly items.
Checklist
Here is a checklist to help you make sure you’ve covered all the bases before the photographer arrives:
Interior:
- Declutter all rooms
- Depersonalize all rooms
- Clean all surfaces
- Stage all furniture
- Open all curtains and blinds
- Turn on all lights
- Remove small rugs
- Hide all cords and wires
- Place fresh flowers in vases
- Make all beds
- Put away all toys and games
- Put away all dishes and appliances
- Clean all windows and mirrors
- Empty all trash cans
- Turn off all ceiling fans
Exterior:
- Mow the lawn
- Trim the bushes
- Plant flowers
- Clean the siding
- Power wash the driveway
- Clean the porch
- Store away trash cans and other unsightly items
- Sweep the sidewalk and porch
- Remove any dead leaves or debris
- Turn on all outdoor lights
By following these tips and using this checklist, you can be sure that your listings. Need a downloadable list? Just click here!
