When it comes to selling your home, the most impactful thing you can do is ensure that your property’s imagery is on-point. For many potential buyers, the listing’s photos are their first (and sometimes only) impression of the space. And no matter what people say, first impressions count!
So with that in mind, of course it is fundamental that your home is presented in a way that will cater to buyers, show off the space, and attract interest. Presenting your home for a photography session is much more than just tidying up. Our goal is to ensure your photos don’t just look great, but also do their part in showing off your property. So, we have put together a handy guide to ensure your home is ready to ‘wow’.
All you have to do is follow C-L-E-A-N:
We know we’re stating the obvious here, but cleaning your home before a photoshoot is an absolute must! That means ensuring the lawn is mowed, pavers are swept, and the pool is clean outside. And inside, ensuring the carpets are vacuumed, windows are clean, furniture is dusted, and dishes are done is a must.
We also recommend that you tidy ‘hard to see’ spots like under the bed. When it comes to the things you can see – like stove cooktops and kitchen sinks – we recommend giving them a thorough clean so they look just like new.
No matter how nice your house is, if it’s cluttered in photos, you will lose some interest from prospective buyers. Minimalism is your friend when it comes to showing off your home.
It is recommended that magazines, remotes, photos, knick knacks and toys are removed from tables and chests of drawers. Bath toys, bath mats and toilet brushes should also be removed from the bathroom.
In the kitchen, we recommend that you take down all children’s drawings, photos and fridge magnets, as well as placing all small appliances and paper towels and/or utensils, spice racks and tea towels out of sight. Bins, laundry hampers, pedestal fans and other ‘unnecessary’ pieces of furniture should also be removed, so that the space can be appreciated without too much furniture ‘clogging’ the gaps.
Outside, remove toys, bikes, hoses, pool cleaners and shoes, as well as ensuring that piles of leaves and other debris are tidied and/or removed.
Personal items in a real estate photo send a message to buyers that the home is well lived-in, and occasionally this can distract from the actual purpose of the photo – to show off and ultimately sell the house.
It is recommended that family photos, drawings, and piles of clothes be removed and/or hidden prior to the commencement of the session.
In areas like the bathroom, personal items like makeup, moisturisers, toothbrushes and toilet paper holders should also be put away.
When it comes to ensuring that your photographs have that ‘wow’ factor, lighting is one of your best friends.
Firstly, we recommend that you ensure that all light fixtures and lamps are in working order. Warm light bulbs (as opposed to iridescents) invite an aura of being ‘at home’, and this will help bring your photographs to the next level. If you’ve opted for a twilight shoot we also recommend that all outside lights are in working order and free of dust and cobwebs.
During day time shoots, we recommend opening all of the blinds/curtains in your home to allow natural light to pour through the space.
Think of this step as a kind of checklist. Walk through your home and look at everything through the eyes of a potential buyer. Don't be afraid to really consider the finer details here. The more refined the space, the more likely it is to make an impact. Are the towels clean? Does the lawn need the edges trimmed? Are there marks on the windows/walls? Is the kitchen as tidy as possible?
This is your chance to refine what you’ve already done, and bring it to the next level.
Are you more of a visual person? No worries! Take a look at our Photography Gallery to get an idea of the way the homes are presented, to take inspiration as you prepare for your own photo shoot. Or, if it’s not possible to follow every single step, you could consider our Digital Decluttering service.
In any case, we hope this article has been helpful in guiding your home’s pre-photo presentation! If you have any more questions, feel free to contact us.
Otherwise, happy C-L-E-A-N-ing!
