Preparing your Home For a Real Estate Shoot
Here are THREE helpful tips to help your listing look the best that it can for the day of the shoot
Lighting
Please open up all curtains, blinds, shades anything that may be blocking light from coming in through the windows. Please have all lights shut off as well. I work with all natural light so these tips are very helpful to make the rooms look most true to color. If a room does not have any windows please leave the light on. If you are requesting a twilight shot, please have all inside and outside lights on.
Interiors
If the house is being lived in the best way to show off the rooms is to have all of the clients personal belongings put away. Please have your clients put away/ hide any items they do not want shown in the photos. This includes any clothing, hampers, toys, dog beds, dishes, trash cans, magazines, remotes, blankets, photos or magnets on the fridge, toothbrushes / toiletries, and anything else that they see fit. Things that can stay are decorative throw blankets, throw pillows, soap dispensers, tea kettles, bigger appliances like coffee machines, and anything that may make the space feel more put together. Please have all beds made, toilet seat covers down, surfaces wiped or dusted, and floors swept. All these tips will ensure that your property is really going to look put together and clean. One way to spruce up a space and bring some color in may be to add a vase of flowers either in the kitchen or dining room area. You really want to make sure that anything that is going to disrupt a potential buyer from envisioning this as their home is going to be out of sight.
Exteriors
Please make sure that any toys or junk are removed from the yard, all cars are removed from the driveway or from the front of the house, garage doors are closed, all garbage cans are out view, and overall make sure the yard looks good. Make sure the grass is cut, trees are pruned, getting rid of any leaves, and any loose branches in the way. If there is any paint that needs to be repaired you may have your clients fix this if they would like. In the backyard if there is any furniture please make sure it is arranged properly. Clear any decks of debris or personal belongings. If there is a pool make sure it is clean as well.
Home buyers want to envision living here and making it their own space so getting rid of any personal belongings help them bring that vision more to life. These tips are to help make your listing look the best that it can for potential buyers.