Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your photoshoot and future showings of your home.
Remember, you want potential buyers looking at the home, not at your furniture and personal items. This of course is a good time to touch up paint and make any needed repairs to the home.
LIGHT IT UP! Turn on all lights, turn lamps on dim (including the surface light on a stove top) and open all blinds and curtains. The more natural light in a room the better a photo will look. Replace any burnt out bulbs!
CLEAN AND CLEAR. Less is more in real estate photography. A room may be neat and tidy, but too many items on a counter or table can look cluttered, while leaving a counter or table bare looks pristine. We understand it is not always possible to keep a home in perfect staging condition, but a few minutes spent putting things away for a 30 minute shoot can make a big difference in your photos.
TIDY ROOMS and remove all unnecessary items or hide items in drawers or closets. Larger items can be moved from one room to another during the shoot. Below are suggestions for tidying each room:
The Kitchen: Clean off the counters! Put away all dishes, toasters, coffee makers and/or small appliances. Take towels off oven and/or refrigerator handles. Remove all magnets from the refrigerator and any items on top. Hide or remove the garbage can and any pet food dishes. Take all sponges, detergents and/or hand soap off the sink. Add a bowl of lemons, oranges, apples or bananas to a breakfast table or open counter, or a bouquet of brightly colored flowers of a mixed variety. If the floor is in good condition, show it! Remove any rugs or mats.
The Living/Family and/or Great Rooms:
Remove unnecessary items. Unclutter coffee and side tables. Remove personal photographs that sit on tables. Remove any blankets draped on sofas or chairs. If your sofa or loveseat is in bad condition now is the time to purchase a slip cover. Hide remote controls and any gaming items.
Remove any children’s or pet’s toys and/or beds, this includes baby strollers, or swing chairs. Keep in mind larger items can be moved from one room to another while a room is being photographed then placed back in the room.
The Dining Room:
Either clear the table or stage it for a table for four. Unclutter hutches or sideboards, again less is more. Place bright flowers as a centerpiece or candles.
Bathrooms: Place in drawers all makeup, dental items, hand soaps, sponges, hair accessories, etc. If bath or shower can be seen remove all shampoos, body scrubbers, razors etc. Replace towels with fresh ones. Empty or remove garbage can, toilet brushes and/or plungers. Lower the toilet seat. Remove any robes or towels on hooks behind doors.
Bedrooms: All clothes should be put away. Make the beds. Remove extra bed pillows on the bed, imagine one pillow per head. Remove any “extra” blankets used to cover the bed (afghans, quilts etc.) a simple top blanket or comforter is sufficient, preferably a single-tone blanket or comforter.
Unclutter bed tables and dressers. Tuck extra items into drawers. If the room doesn’t have a lot of walking space, consider removing extra dressers, tables, exercise equipment or any item that is not necessary. For children’s rooms put away toys and stuffed animals (one or two stuffed toys can be displayed).
Office/Den: Unclutter your desk as much as possible. I understand you may have important documents that cannot be moved so please file away extra papers or organize them into piles as neatly as possible. Do what you can. Empty garbage or remove.
The Outdoors: Remove cars from driveway. Mow the lawn. Remove toys, water hoses and sprinklers from lawn. Plant flowers if possible. Unclutter porch, patio, pools or decks. Hide extra items in the garage or shed if available. Remove covers from BBQ grills or remove grill all together if possible. Open any patio umbrellas. Organize patio chairs.
SECURE PETS:
Pets may need to be placed in a room, kept outdoors or simply held back as other rooms are being photographed since pets can wander unexpectedly into a shot.
If you have any questions, would like a checklist of these tips, or would like some staging advice, feel free to contact me!
Call: 410-897-7709 Email: Joanna@CurbAppealPhotos.com
