Today’s homebuyers are forming their thoughts about your home well before they even see it in person. With a few clicks of a mouse, potential buyers can see which homes they want to explore further, and which ones they want to avoid. This is often based purely on the Location, Price and the Pictures they see. So it is very important to get the best pictures possible to show off your home.
When it comes to taking the pictures make sure you clean & de-clutter: Hide the remote control and take the cell phone and keys off the countertop before you take your shots. Tables and countertops should be bare other than decor items. Take magnets, pictures and school calendars off the fridge. Remove any visible garbage cans and tissue boxes. In the washroom, hide room sprays and toiletries, and remove shampoo bottles from the shower. And don’t forget to put the toilet seat down — a simple but often overlooked step!
Make sure you have no people or pets: Your photos should have nothing but the room and its furnishings — no people or pets allowed! While browsing a local website I was shocked to see the photo the homeowner had chosen to best show off their front hall. Your attention wasn’t caught by the entryway, its flooring, wall color or closet…but by the person peering in through the front door! Unfortunately this is a common occurrence — I’ve seen many photos of kitchens with someone washing dishes and living rooms with someone watching TV or bending over to pet a dog. Good real estate photos have no living creatures!
Turn off the TV: Buyers want to see the room, not what TV shows your family watches! When the TV is on in the photo, their attention is drawn to it first, not the room. In the living room, potential buyers want to see the size and shape of the room and whether it would work for their furniture — having the TV on distracts them from this.
Check the reflection in any mirrors: You want to show the room, not a photographer holding up a camera. The bright flash in the mirror distracts viewers and takes away from the room. Even the most beautiful bathroom looks awful with a bright flash of light in the middle of it.
Don’t just take random shots: The goal of real estate photos is to show off your home’s best features. A random section of wall for no apparent reason doesn’t help someone visualizethemselves living in the home. Buyers want to see the home’s significant areas. Show as much of the room as you can. In the bedroom, for example, don’t show a close up of the bed and nightstand with a tiny piece of wall — people aren’t buying your bedspread, they’re buying your bedroom. Get as far into a corner or doorway as you can and get as much of the room in the photo as possible.
When selling your home, it’s important to plan your photos carefully. You want potential buyers to be able to see themselves living in your home and to want to tour it in person. Keep this list handy and use it to help you take pictures that show off your home’s best features. Look at each photo and ask yourself: Will this picture SELL my home? If not, don’t let it get online. A few extra minutes of planning can go a long way!
The aim of this is so that you have the shots that you need to sell your home. If you use a realtor make sure you proof your pictures before they are put into the marketing as they may not be the best ones you see for the property and if they aren’t just go and take some more. If your smart you will use a professional photography company such as open2view to take the photos for you and they good thing is here they have their own website which has dedicated to trying to sell your property as well.
Good luck with trying to sell your house. Remember the first impressions are the ones that count!