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June
10
10
A Guide to Getting Your Home Photo-Ready for Listings
A great listing makes for a great home sale. And do you know what makes a great listing? Great photos! These days, potential buyers spend a lot of time browsing through photos of a home before seeing it in person. So, having great photos will ensure you get more interest in your home, which often translates to higher offers.
We've seen a lot of Arden Hills homes for sale and Brainerd homes for sale over the years. Along the way, we've compiled these tips to help you prepare your home for listing photos.
- Move Vehicles
Before the photographer arrives, move your vehicles across the street or into a neighbor's driveway. The same goes for lawnmowers, ATVs, cargo trailers, etc. You don't want these vehicles blocking the photographer's view. - Remove Seasonal Decorations
You want the photos to be "timeless" and to showcase the home itself, not any decorations you may have up at the time. So, always remove holiday lights, scarecrows, pumpkins, and other seasonal and holiday-specific decor before photo day. - Tidy Your Patio Furniture
Ensure chairs are pushed under tables and all your patio furniture is clean. If you have any patio furniture that's stained or beginning to deteriorate, hide it in the garage during the photo shoot. You don't want it to distract from the house itself. - Mow the Lawn
Mow the lawn one to two days before the photographer is scheduled to arrive. This way, the grass will look pristine. You should also pull any weeds from garden beds, clean up any edges between the lawn and garden beds, and remove any dead blooms from flowering plants. - Pull Back Window Treatments
Inside the home, make sure all of your curtains and drapes are tied back neatly. Also, draw up any blinds or shades. If the photographer needs to close any window treatments for lighting purposes, they can do so. Starting with them open ensures as tidy an appearance as possible. - Hide Pet Items
Stow away dog crates, bowls, pet beds, cat toys, and similar items. Not only can these distract from the appearance of the home itself, but they may turn off buyers who don't share your passion for pets. - Clean Off the Fridge
A fridge full of magnets and paperwork is not something you want to see in a home listing. Put these items in a box for safekeeping until your photographer is done working. Remove items from the top of your refrigerator, too. - Scrub Your Sinks and Counters
To make sure your bathroom and kitchen photograph well, spend some time scrubbing your sinks and counters. Also, remove anything from the counters that can be stored elsewhere. The less clutter, the better. - Check the Light Bulbs
Your photographer will turn lights on and off, as needed, to get the best possible lighting for each shot. So, you should ensure all your light bulbs work before your photo date arrives. - Make the Beds
Make all of the beds, adding a throw pillow or two for decoration, as needed. You should also tidy up the couches and recliners. Fold all throw blankets, and arrange any pillows in attractive ways. If your couches show wear, toss a throw blanket over those sections. You don't want a worn couch distracting from your home itself.
Follow the tips above, and you should end up with top-notch listing photos. Feel free to call today if you have any other questions about listing your home or if you're looking for a real estate agent.
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