Picture Perfect: Preparing Your Home for Real Estate Photography

When it comes to selling your home, first impressions are everything. In today's digital age, potential buyers often form their initial opinions based on online listing photos. Therefore, ensuring that your home is camera-ready is crucial for attracting interested buyers. In this blog post, we'll discuss the essential steps to prepare your home for real estate photography and maximize its visual appeal. 

Declutter and Depersonalize: Before the photo session, it's important to declutter and depersonalize your home. Clearing out excess items and personal belongings will not only make your space appear more spacious and inviting in photos but also help potential buyers envision themselves living there. Consider removing family photos, excessive decor, and any items that may distract from the features of the home. 

Clean and Stage Each Room: A thorough cleaning is essential before the photography session. From dusting surfaces to vacuuming carpets, ensuring a spotless home will translate into stunning photographs. Additionally, staging each room with tasteful decor and furniture arrangements can greatly enhance the visual appeal of the space. Pay attention to details such as arranging throw pillows, setting the dining table, and adding fresh flowers for a pop of color. 

Maximize Natural Light: Natural light can work wonders for real estate photography. Open up curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. Well-lit rooms will appear more inviting and spacious in photographs. If your home has any particularly scenic views, make sure to capture them in the photography session to highlight the unique selling points of your property. 

Focus on Curb Appeal: The exterior of your home is just as important as the interior when it comes to real estate photography. Enhance your home's curb appeal by tidying up the landscaping, mowing the lawn, and adding potted plants or flowers near the entrance. Consider taking exterior photos during different times of the day to capture the varying natural light and showcase the exterior in its best possible light. 

Exterior:

• Close windows
• Park on street or garage
• Rake yard
• Remove toys and clutter
• Hide garbage cans
• Close gates and garage doors
• Clear pool toys and supplies
• Keep pets indoors

General Interior:

• Clear clutter
• Clean thoroughly
• Open curtains/blinds
• Conceal cords
• Put away toys

Bedrooms:

• Make beds
• Clear under-bed storage
• Straighten room
• Organize bedside tables
• Tidy dresser
• Vacuum carpets/rugs
• Organize bookshelves

Closets & Mudroom:

• Organize clothes/shoes
• Use matching hangers

Bathrooms:

• Slightly open shower curtains
• Lower toilet seat
• Place fresh towels
• Hide bath products
• Conceal appliances
• Remove air fresheners

Home Office:

• Clear desk clutter
• Hide cords
• Wipe surfaces
• Vacuum carpets/rugs

Pets:

• Keep pets out of shots
• Store toys, bowls, litter boxes

Living/Family Room:

• Clear mantle
• Turn off TVs
• Open curtains/blinds
• Adjust artwork
• Straighten bookshelves
• Vacuum carpets/rugs
• Neaten cushions

Dining Room:

• Set table or minimal centerpiece
• Vacuum carpets/rugs

Kitchen:

• Clear exterior of refrigerator
• Clean countertops
• Store appliances
• Put away cleaning supplies
• Hide towels
• Conceal garbage can
• Remove pet bowls

Preparing your home for real estate photography is a crucial step in the selling process. By decluttering, cleaning, staging, and maximizing natural light, you can ensure that your home shines in its online listing photos. Remember, these photos are often the first impression that potential buyers will have of your property, so making a strong visual impact is key to attracting interest and ultimately selling your home.