What’s the old say “A picture is worth a thousand words?” Well, in real estate not only is a listing picture worth a thousand words it can also make or break a home sale. Decades ago a home buyer’s first impression of a home was usually when they drove up, but today it’s usually the photographs and description in the MLS listing, so you’ll want to make sure your home is staged and ready for photos. Below are home selling tips and how to prepare your home for picture day!
Interior Home Selling Tips for Picture Day
Lighting
Make sure to replace burned-out light bulbs and turn on all lights while your home is being photographed.
Remove Throw Rugs
If you have throw rugs or runners in the kitchen, bathroom, entryway or hallway you’ll want to remove them for picture day. Having small area rugs or runners on the floor can make a room look smaller and cluttered in photographs.
Clear Refrigerator
Make sure your refrigerator is clear and doesn’t have items like magnets, photographs or calendars on it. Not only do we recommend doing this for picture day, but we recommend keeping it that way while selling your home.
Remove Furniture
Remove FurnitureIf you have an overabundance of furniture you’ll want to remove some pieces. Not only for picture day but for showings too. Rooms overflowing with furniture often appear smaller and buyers are looking for spacious rooms, not cramped.
Interior Home Selling Tips for Picture Day! #pictureday #realestateClear Countertops
You’ll want to clear all countertopss for picture day! In the kitchen make sure to remove small appliances like the coffee maker or toaster along with the knife block and paper towel holder. In the bathroom make sure to remove toothbrushes, soap and other personal care items or knick-knacks.
Remove Remote Controls
If you have remote controls for electricity or lighting laying around in the living room, bedroom or kitchen you’ll want to hide those items on picture day.
Clear Showers
In addition to clearing bathroom counters on picture day you’ll also want to clear the shower. This means removing shampoo bottles, soap, razors, and any other accessories or bottles that are sitting or hanging in the shower.
Toilet Seats Down
While most photographers will probably put the toilet seat down not all agents who take photos of their listings will. So you’ll want to make sure the seats are down on picture day.
Remove Trash Cans
A lot of people have their trash cans out in the open whether it’s in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom or office. On picture day you’ll want to make sure to hide all of the trash cans.
Make Beds
Not only should beds be made on picture day, but also every day your home is being shown.
Clear Nightstands
Just like clearing your countertops you’ll also want to clear your nightstands. So if you have any books, candles or clocks you’ll want to remove these items on picture day.
Remove Pets
Remove pets and pet belongings on picture day! Some buyers will not look at a home if it’s evident in the photographs that a pet resides in the property.
Exterior Home Selling Tips for Picture Day
Freshen Up Landscaping
You’ll want to enhance your home’s curb appeal on picture day, so make sure the grass is mowed, trees are trimmed and flower beds are mulched and weeded.
Clear Driveway
Clear DrivewayMake sure all vehicles are removed from the driveway on picture day along with any other items that can be removed, like basketball hoops.
Exterior home selling tips for picture day! #pictureday #realestateRemove Garbage Cans
If your garbage cans are usually left outside on the picture day you’ll want to hide them in your garage.
Remove Toys
Remove all toys from the front, side, and backyard. This includes bicycles, skateboards, and any other sporting equipment.
Remove Pool Equipment
If your home has a pool you’ll want to hide all of the pool equipment and pool chemicals in addition to any pool toys.
Final Thoughts
Make sure your home says “Cheese” on picture day! Whether your Realtor is taking photographs or they hire a professional real estate photographer you’ll want to follow the home selling tips above to ensure your home is presented in the best possible way.
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Additional Real Estate Advice from Top Professionals
- Great real estate photographs can be the difference between selling your home and it sitting on the market as Paul Sian explains. Listing photos are oftentimes the first impression a buyer and/or agent have of your home.
- Curb Appeal! In addition to having great photos your home has to have curb appeal too. Odds are the first photograph a prospective buyer see is of the front of your home. Sharon Paxson shares 10 ways to spruce up your home’s curb appeal.
About the Author
The above real estate article “Home Selling Tips for Picture Day!” was written by Michelle Gibson of Wellington Florida Real Estate. Specializing in residential real estate since 2001 in Wellington and the surrounding area. Not only does Michelle assist buyers and sellers, she assists landlords and tenants too. She would love to share her expertise and guide you through the entire real estate process.
We service the following areas; Wellington, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Greenacres and more. If you are considering selling your home, we welcome the opportunity to work with you and list your home with a top Realtor in Wellington Florida
Michelle Gibson of the Hansen Real Estate Group Inc is a full-time REALTOR who has been specializing in Wellington Florida real estate since 2001. This veteran of the real estate industry has expertise in technology, marketing, and social media.