Ready to list your house? Do you know how to prepare your home for professional photos? From opening the blinds to putting away photos, Redfin Photography Manager Drew Larrigan reveals small steps that make a big difference when it comes to preparing a home to sell.
“There are specific things you can do to make your space visually attractive in photos,” he said. “By following these guidelines, you’re setting up both your photographer and listing to have the highest success rate. If you’re not properly preparing the house to list, you’ll face risks of delaying the listing, needing reshoots, and many other hurdles.”
Drew, who manages Redfin’s in-house staff of photographers, as well as a network of photographers across the country, sure knows that. But, he said the key to successfully listing and selling your house is the photos.
“Humans are incredibly visual, especially in an age where everything is visible on mobile devices,” he said. “You are more likely to be drawn in by beautiful imagery than any other subject. So having high-quality images is the key to getting clicks.”
He refers to clicks on listings, which his team specializes in. Professional photography is included in the listing fee of all homes listed with Redfin. “Unlike most brokerages which outsource photography, Redfin invests in it with a full in-house professional team. The key to real estate photography is to use a full-frame camera with a flexible display so you can get around really tough corners. And you don’t need the most expensive camera. The Canon 6D Mark II is the perfect camera for the real estate market.”
Of course, research shows hiring a pro to do it not only helps your house sell faster but for more money.
Ready to give your house its close-up? Before anyone snaps any images, make sure you’ve completed Drew’s top 10 checklists.
1. Clear the driveway
One of the first things you need to identify before beginning photography is whether all cars are removed from the driveway? Is the pod storage unit sitting in the yard blocking the front of the house? Have you completed all your contractor work? All of this ensures that we can present the newly updated home properly.
2. Use a garage for storage
Use your garage as a storage unit. We typically don’t photograph garages as most buyers do not view them as a desirable space. As such, it’s the best storage place. Use it to hide garbage cans, trash, or oversized items, and of course, you can pull your car in it as well.
3. Clear outside clutter
Remove all the clutter from outside, put away simple things like rakes, and roll up your lawn hoses. Set it up nicely and prepare it to serve dinner if you have outdoor furniture. The curbside appeal matters.
4. Refresh landscaping
Mow your lawn and refresh your landscaping. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and different buyers might have other preferences. Still, refreshed landscaping will yield better photos and results ahead of a photographer’s arrival.
5. Clear surfaces of personal items
Inside the home, clean all surfaces. For example, if your countertops are where you charge your phones, store messages and notes, that should all be organized and out of the way before we arrive. If not, there can be privacy issues with high-resolution professional photos.
Leave your address book out, and it will likely be legible, which is not something you want. The same is true with the refrigerator; make sure magnets with images of faces, friends, and children are removed. That saves time and allows the photographer to focus on showcasing your house rather than drawing magnets or photoshopping out faces.
6. Tidy the bathroom
Make sure toilet seat covers in the bathroom are facing down. That can be an unsightly area, and again, beware of privacy issues and stowing personal items like medication, as well as toothbrushes and loofahs. Organizing these areas prevents the photographer from clearing up people’s bathroom items, which is not a fun process.
7. Prepare windows and lights
The images of our windows are beautiful when we have all the windows sparkling and the blinds and curtains open. The same goes for lighting. It’s easy to have bulbs looked at or replaced before we are there, as we take all our professional photos with the lights on, which makes for beautiful ambient lighting.
8. Make a plan for pets
We’ve had birds land on our shoulders, we’ve seen all sorts of rodents, and we constantly remind clients to be cautious of pets and their belongings. So make a plan for your pets on the day of photography. Don’t just lock them in a room and expect the photographer to work around a dog.
9. Clean the whole house
Do a regular cleaning of your home before photography, such as making your bed, clearing the countertop as discussed, and taking the time to make that final pass before the photographer arrives. It allows your home to be photo-ready.
10. Alert your neighbors
Make sure your neighbors know you are selling your house, and a photographer will be visiting, especially if you plan to use drones. Drones can cause tension and privacy issues, which we want to be cautious about. We have run into cases where neighbors didn’t know what was happening and called the cops. Communication and awareness are the keys to a smooth shoot.
It’s your turn to be a homeowner in New Jersey
If you are interested in acquiring your new home or selling the one you have, do not hesitate to contact our EXP Realty consultants. We guarantee quality attention and the best homes in the area, with personalized marketing strategies to achieve the most significant benefit.
You will not regret working with us because we seek your best interests. Our clients certify them.