Preparing your Real Estate Listing for a Photoshoot

To get the most value and best display your property, there are a few things you can do as a real estate agent and as a homeowner, before a photographer comes to do the photoshoot.

It's very important to make a good impression with the photos of your home, and most of these tips are common sense, but it's always nice to have a check list and a few reminders. For the home owner, some of these items may require a few days to complete, so you will want to give yourself plenty of time in advance to prepare.

How the Homeowner can prepare:

• Clean up, dust, and hide the clutter. Pack away any personal items in cupboards or closets. This may include photo frames of family and friends covering the surfaces of your home.
• Any toys that belong to your children or your pet should be put away, as well as your pet's food and water bowls.
• If any repairs are needed to be done to the walls or furniture, have them done in advance.
• The bathrooms should also be clean and tidy, with a clean set of matching towels on the towel rack.
• Turn on the lights! If you don't think the lights in your home are bright enough, you can always buy a few floor lamps.
• You can lighten up a dark room or dark furniture with colourful pillows and throws, or neutral area rugs.
• If you still think some places are too dark, let the photographer know so they can bring extra lighting.
• Open up the drapes and blinds. It will look good from the inside of the house and the outside.
• Clean the windows to get rid of all dust and visible streaks.
• If you can, get rid of any extra furniture from the bedrooms. The rooms should look as simple as possible, so as not to look small.
• A vase of fresh flowers on the kitchen or living room table never hurts to add some colour.
• Don't forget about the exterior! Put away garbage cans, prune the bushes, and make sure the lawn is mowed.
• If necessary, have your driveway power-washed.
• If needed, have touch-ups done the the exterior paint job.
• If you have a garden, make sure to weed it, and also check the weeds in your driveway and patio.
• Make sure your gutters, roof, and the rest of your property is clear of twigs, leaves, and other debris.
• Wind up exterior hoses, and put away any outdoor children's toys in the garage.
• If you have a pool or hot tub, uncover it, and make sure it is clean.
• Check to make sure the address numbers on your house or mailbox are straight.
• Think like a buyer. Think about what made you purchase your home and show off its best assets.
• Be prepared. Know ahead of time which rooms will be photographed so you can set them up properly.
• Before the photographer arrives, move all vehicles out of the driveway or away from the front of the house. This is to ensure a great exterior shot, and also any interior shots that might include the view of outside.
• Lastly, clear the people and/or pets out of the house as much as possible to make the process easier for the photographer. Everything will run quickly and smoothly this way.

How the Real Estate Agent can prepare:

• Check the weather. If it is rainy or extremely cloudy, you may want the photographer to come back another day to do the exterior shots. Remember that the exterior shot is the first one home buyers see when looking at your listing on MLS. You don't want your listing to be dismissed before it's even looked at!
• When you get to the property, do a full sweep of the exterior of the house to make sure the homeowner didn't forget to put away any toys, garbage, etc.
• Do the same thing on the inside of the house. Check for any personal belongings laying around or that could be put away in a closet for the time being.
• Scope out the lighting in each room, to see if everything is well lit.
• Help out the photographer in any way you can to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

That's about it! If you are unsure about anything, you can always contact us here at Tordia Images, and we can answer all of your questions related to the photoshoot.