Real estate is all about presenting your listing in the best possible light (literally), which means having great listing photos. 92% of home buyers go online while searching for a home so the photos you put up need to be top notch to get you top dollar for your home.
How much you spend on those listing photos is entirely up to you but no matter what you spend, stick to these 5 prep tips to ensure your photos look great online and off.
1. Declutter. Seriously.
Remove refrigerator magnets, put away remotes, make sure there are no trash cans in the shot, get rid of unnecessary furniture such as end tables and desks and really whittle down what’s in your shot. Making a room as empty as possible makes it look way bigger.
Your listing photos should show off the property – not your life. The less clutter, furniture and accessories you have in each photo, the bigger the space will look. Don’t subtract square footage by cluttering your photos with unnecessary stuff!
2. Depersonalize.
Remove any personal photos, make children’s rooms as bare and simple as possible, put away personal style, and take down any religious paraphernalia, etc.
Depersonalizing is a step beyond decluttering. You may have a hard time removing personal style and homey touches that have become such a big part of your life but remember – this is just for the photo shoot. Once the pictures are taken you can put your home back together again.
3. Clean Up/Beautify The Back & Front Yards
Sweep and/or power wash the driveway (and wait for it to dry!), open up outdoor umbrellas, replace old lounge chair cushions, prune/remove dead plants, get rid of any and all clutter i.e. kids toys, trinkets, lawn ornaments, wind chimes, etc.
A messy or unkept yard will make your home look old and dingy. Dead plants, old outdoor furniture and ugly trinkets don’t come with the house and only lose your listing points in eyes of potential buyers. Get rid of any and all eye sores before you snap your photos!
4. Get Good Lighting.
You can do this first of all by turning off the flash on your camera. Even basic point-and-shoot cameras are getting better at low-light situations, and your camera’s flash will never be able to light a room well.
Get some natural light and with your camera on a steady tripod, you can have a long exposure and a natural-light feeling to the photo without getting a blurry shot.
5. Hire A Professional.
Professional photography sells listings 50% faster, 39% closer to the list price and generates 118% more online views according to a recent study.
You can do it yourself, but do you really want your most valuable asset to look DIY? A professional will know how and when to get the best lighting, what needs to be removed from each shot and how to make your listing look like a million bucks – no matter what the price tag.
When you work with a First Team agent, they’ll make sure your listing photos and every marketing piece for your home is polished and perfect. Find an agent near you to help market your home at the highest level or reach out and we’ll find an expert in your neighborhood.
