Photos are the single most important tool to bring buyers to your home. Although the Portland real estate market is a strong seller’s market at the moment, that does not mean that sellers should skimp on their strongest marketing tool when listing their home for sale. While many of us REALTORS® possess tips and tricks for making your home look its best in photos, the truth of the matter is that you, the seller, are in control of how your home comes across in photos. There are many things that you can do in advance of your photo shoot that will ensure that filming day goes smoothly and your photographer’s time is spent showcasing your home in its best possible light. Below is a checklist of things to keep in mind when preparing your home for filming day.
General Items
- Before the photographer arrives, turn on all lights and lamps, including any oven hood lights, cabinet lights, etc.
- Pickup pet food bowls and toys, and conceal litter boxes.
- Pickup any children’s toys.
- Conceal any visible electric cords.
- Weather permitting, turn on the fireplace (or build a fire well in advance of the photo shoot).
- Open all room doors to ensure no room is missed on the tour.
- Do not schedule any landscaping services or home cleaning or repair services to arrive on the day of filming.
- Alert your REALTOR about your neighborhood’s garbage day so that filming is not scheduled for that day of the week. When filming your home from the street, it is best if the neighbors’ garbage cans are not in front of their houses.
- “Moving things out of view” as the photo shoot progresses is the least efficient use of the photographer’s time, and if you also have a videographer, they will need to move freely from space to space, so you may not have the option of neatening as you go. It’s best to take care of everything before filming day.
Kitchen Items
- Clear all counter tops of knife blocks and any small appliances (coffee maker, toaster, stand mixer, microwave, etc.).
- Clear the refrigerator of any artwork or magnets.
- Conceal the garbage if it is usually out in the open.
- If you have open cabinets or glass-front cabinets, make sure contents are neatly organized.
Bathroom Items
- Close all toilet seats.
- Place all shower and bath products out of sight in a closed cabinet.
- Clear all counter tops. Put away toothbrushes, toothpaste, WaterPics, electric toothbrushes, hair dryers, makeup, hair products, razors, pill bottles, etc.
Bedroom Items
- Make all beds.
- Put excess clothes in the hamper out of sight.
- Make sure that closets are only about 50% full (show buyers there is plenty of storage space).
- Neaten all surfaces – nightstands, bureaus, desks.
Home Exterior Items
- Remove all vehicles from garage, driveway, carport, and park a couple houses away if possible.
- Coil yard hoses neatly.
- Add flower baskets and pops of flower color to the front of the house.
- Move trash cans so that they are not visible in the photos.
- If you have water features, turn them on.
While this list may seem daunting, taking care of these items will place your property in its best condition for marketing. Given that the overwhelming majority of buyers look at homes online before they ever look in person, doing everything you can to ensure that your photo shoot is a success is a solid step in the right direction to getting the best price for your home regardless of the current market conditions.
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