Preparing your home to maximise photo potential

Preparing your home to maximise photo potential

Preparing your home to maximise photo potential

The majority of home buyers start their search online, so it is important to make the first impression count! The most important element of your property marketing materials is the photography. Great photos are a vital element of a successful sales campaign. The photos have to grab people, to make them want to read your full property advert and to arrange to see your property in the flesh. However, the subject matter can make a photograph and, to that extent, the way that the property is presented for the photographs is hugely important. So how do you prepare your property to allow the photographer to get the very best results? To ensure your property is shoot ready when the photographer arrives, here’s our room by room photo styling checklist to help you in preparing your home to maximise photo potential.

Why do photographs matter so much?

So, you’ve decided to put your property on the market and it’s now time to prepare your marketing materials. We believe that the single most important item in this process is the creation of great quality, professional-standard photographs. Your images have the potential to create a lasting first impression. Whether that’s on a listing site, a printed property publication or in the window of your estate agent. It’s important therefore that you have the best possible images. The same room can look completely different based simply on the type and quality of the photo taken.

General

Tips for all areas throughout the property.

  • Thoroughly clean the whole house (vacuum the carpet, mop wooden floors, clean benchtops).
  • Clean all your windows.
  • Clear clutter off any surface.
  • Turn all ceiling fans off: moving fans blades appear blurry.
  • Switch off all TVs.
  • Turn all computer screens off.
  • Remove all personal photographs.
  • Ensure all shoes and toys are put away.
  • Open all blinds, shutters and curtains to bring in natural light.
  • Turn on all lights and lamps, replace any burnt out light bulbs.
  • Create a feeling of space in each room – remove surplus furniture and make sure mirrors aren’t in places that will reflect in the photos.

Curb Appeal

Curb appeal refers to the attractiveness of a property and its surroundings when viewed from the street.

  • Close the garage doors.
  • Remove your car/s from the driveway and from the front of the property.
  • Clean up landscaping (sweep paths, mow the lawn, trim shrubs, clear dropped leaves).
  • Ensure all cobwebs from around the cornices and door frames are removed.
  • Remove visible water hoses.
  • Remove toys, sports equipment, and any other loose items.
  • Potentially add pot plants outside front door.

Kitchen

  • Clear the clutter from any benches.
  • Ensure there is no old fruit in a fruit bowl.
  • Leave one to two nice appliances on the bench.
  • Remove everything from the fridge doors including magnets, artwork and flyers.
  • Hide garbage bins.
  • Ensure no dishes are in the sink.
  • Close the dishwasher door.
  • For a splash of colour a bowl of fresh citrus fruit can make a great centre piece.

Dining table

  • Remove all clutter from the table.
  • Place a centre piece on the table such as a vase of flowers in a colour that compliments the rest of your décor or a decorative bowl or ornament.
  • Straighten up any chairs and ensure they are evenly spaced around the table.
  • Remove high chairs or booster seats.

Living / Family room

  • Remove stacks of magazines, newspapers and mail.
  • De clutter book shelves, fire place mantel, television cabinet.
  • Hide remote controls.
  • Plump up cushions.
  • Remove / hide any kids or animal toys.
  • If you have indoor plants – remove any dead leaves and dust large leaves.
  • If you don’t have indoor plants consider adding a couple – great for photos and for open homes.

Bathroom

  • Remove all toiletries from the vanity – no toothbrushes, deodorant or clutter.
  • Remove shampoos, soaps etc from showers and bathtubs.
  • Ensure toilet seat is down.
  • Add a new toilet roll.
  • Put some nice soap, a small flowering plant and perhaps a candle.
  • Add fresh plump towels.
  •  Pull open the shower curtain.

Bedroom

  • Neatly make all beds.
  • Remove all personal items from bedside tables.  A small stack of books, a light and a small pot plant is all you need here.
  • Remove all family photos from the walls.
  • Clean under the bed, removing items that may show up in the photos.
  • Remove any wall stickers in kid’s rooms.
  • Tidy bookshelves and remove some items if it looks very cluttered.

Pets

  • Hide food, water bowls and litter boxes.
  • Remove pet beds and toys.
  • Vacuum sofas to ensure there is no animal hair.
  • Keep pets out of the house.
  • Ensure front and backyard are clear of pet toys.

Highlight special features

  • If you have certain spaces that you want to highlight, make sure you tell the photographer.

Most importantly we are here to help you, so please ask us any questions you have about how to maximise your properties photo potential.

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