You have carefully chosen a real estate professional and decided on a list price, now it's time to sell your home, but first we need fabulous photos! First impressions are everything. Potential buyers often make a decision on the house in the first 30 seconds! Photographs, video, 3-D tour, drone footage and media – don't panic. Below are a few tips to ready your home for great looking photos.
Clear/Clean Kitchen Counters and Sink
A kitchen is one of the most prominent rooms in the home. When the kitchen counters are cleared off, buyers can imagine how they might use the space. Coffee makers, mixers and decorations distract buyers and often make the kitchen feel cluttered. Remove everything but perhaps a few decorative items. Clean all surface areas, kitchen sink and backsplash. A Pristine Kitchen at Thirty-Six
Don't forget appliances, make certain magnets, kid's art work, and photos are removed from the refrigerator. We'd like the clients to focus on the modern appliances and not your kid's fabulous art work
Clear/Clean Bathroom Sinks, Tubs and Showers
Ditto for the bathroom, place shampoo bottles, soaps, razors and other items into a bin that can fit underneath the bathroom sink. This step will help your bathroom look bigger. Clean, neatly folded towels on towel racks are acceptable.
See this Immaculate Condominium on Paradise Island!
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Turn On All Lights & Replace Burned Out Light Bulbs
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of photography. Just before the photographer is to arrive, turn on all of the lights, including lamps. The more light, the better. If there are dark areas in the home, add a few extra lamps to brighten them up.
Open All Window Treatments
Before you open the window treatments, don’t forget to clean the windows! Natural light brings life and emotion into photos. We recommend opening all window treatments to let in as much light as possible. If it's too bright outside or the view is not perfect, your photographer will balance the shot.
Beautiful Beachfront Estate on Paradise Island!
Remove Unnecessary Furniture, Rugs and Decorations
This is one of the most important items on the list. By removing excess, bulky furniture and rugs, it opens up the floor space and makes the home look much more open and inviting.
Turn All Ceiling Fans and Screens Off
Most photographers use HDR photography, which takes multiple light exposures for each photo and combines them into one final shot. Any moving items like ceiling fans or active TV/Computer screens will not photograph correctly and cause motion blur.
Make All of the Beds
Be sure to make all beds with matching sheets and pillows covering the entire bed and mattress. Decorative pillows can be used to brighten up the bed. See this Clean Guest Bedroom at Beautiful Bayroc, Cable Beach!
Clear All Night Stands and Dressers
Nightstands tend to accumulate items naturally. Remove everything but a lamp and just one decorative item.
Remove All Personal Photos and Items
Buyers need to see themselves living in the home. Remove all personal photos and articles from the entire home—including patios, porches and garages.
Put Away your Shoes, Bags, Umbrellas and Jackets
Yup, even those recycled grocery bags. Carefully place these items neatly in a closet. When buyers see loose objects around the home, they assume that the home lacks storage space.
Remove All Pet Items
Yes, we love your pet, but unfortunately not everyone has or loves pets. It is essential to remove all signs of your pets, especially pet smells. You may be "nose blind" to the smell, as you live in your home every day. Just ask a friend or neighbor for their honest opinion.
And Now Outside:
Tidy Up the Yard and Landscaping
A tidy yard is the best way to ensure a potential buyer wants to view the inside of your home so give it some love. Mow the lawn, trim the hedges and place a fresh flowering shrub at the entrance to welcome those buyers!
Sweep up those Outdoor Patios
Ensure that the entire front and back porches/patios are swept clean and remove any unnecessary items. Outdoor living spaces are just as important as the inside, especially if you can enjoy tropical breezes and amazing views.
One Marina at Palm Cay Offers Marina & Ocean Views!
Remove Outdoor Cooker Covers/Open up Patio Umbrellas
Time to show off that fantastic barbeque grill! Covers should be removed so that cookers are exposed and ready for use. If it's an old grill that needs to be covered, it's better to remove or throw it out.
Open up patio umbrellas. Dust off chairs and set up the space, fresh outdoor pillows and flowers will create an inviting space for your photographer to highlight while they're in your backyard. Remember outdoor living is “in”.
Clear All Cars from Road and Driveway
Remove all vehicles and boats from the home's driveway and front.
Hide Garbage Cans and Gardening Equipment
Large garbage cans and gardening equipment is distracting in photos. Put them in the garage/shed, along with garden hoses, lawnmowers and other yard maintenance tools.
And lastly, be prepared to reschedule. Photographers work around the weather because it has a great impact on the final marketing materials. It's impossible to fly drones and get footage if it's raining or too windy. If the photographer determines they should wait, trust them that it's for the best. And yes, be prepared to leave your home for a few hours. Photographers use 3D imaging technology to scan every part of the home, yard and garage. Following the tips above will help ensure your home is showcased in the best light!
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