Preparing Your Property for Photography

 

General Tips for all areas in the home

 

• Thoroughly clean whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean counter-tops, clean windows)

• Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON

• Replace all burned out light bulbs

• Use bulbs of the same temperature (ALL incandescent or ALL compact fluorescent)

• Turn all ceiling fans OFF

• Turn all TVs OFF

• Turn all computer screens OFF

• Open blinds/window treatments to let in outside light

• Remove personal photographs (or replace with general landscape/object photographs)

• Make all beds

• Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring

• Place all shoes/jackets in closets

 

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Front Exterior (This is usually the first photo buyers see)
 

• Close garage doors

• Remove cars from driveway and front of home

• Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)

• Remove empty planters

• Use broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames

• Remove visible water hoses

• Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.

 

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Back Yard (The backyard should present a place to relax)

 

• Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions

• Pillows/cushions should be fresh, not faded

• Clear out kid's toys, balls, frisbees, etc.

• Clean pool

• Remove pool vacuum/cleaner hose

• Hide pool cleaning supplies

• Turn on pool fountains/water features

• Remove visible water hoses

• Remove trash cans

 

 

Dining Room / Table (Allow buyers to imagine a nice family meal)

 

• Clear table, dust and polish the table top

• Use decorative place setting if available

• Feature one center piece such as a bouquet of flowers

• Straighten all chairs and space them evenly

• Remove child seats/booster chairs

 

 

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Living / Family Room (A Space to enjoy family and great conversation)

 

• Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.

• De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than 5 items, including art)

• Clean interior of fireplace and re-paint if needed

• Fluff and arrange furniture pillows

• Remove kid's toys

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Kitchen (Generally the focal point, the kitchen deserves attention to detail)

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• Clear counter tops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.

• Leave out max of one small appliance (ex. coffee maker)

• Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.

• Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet

• Remove dishes from sink, place in dishwasher

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Bedrooms (A place of rest and tranquility)

Master Bedroom (A good nights rest recharges the body and mind)

 

• Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available

• Press bed linens and bed skirts

• Clear nightstands of all personal items

• Store away phone/tablet charging cables

• Remove all clutter from top of dressers

• Remove family photos from walls

• Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

 

 

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Kid / Guest Bedroom (Don’t forget about guest bedrooms)

 

• Remove personalized names from walls

• Remove wall stickers/posters

• Remove diaper genies

• Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

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Bathrooms (Create a spa, inside your home)

 

• Clear counter-tops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.

• Put toilet seats down

• Close closet doors

• Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs

• Remove dirty towels - leave out only new, unused towels

• Remove floor mats

 

 

Pets (Pets are great, but there presence should be minimized)

 

• Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet

• Place pet beds/toys in pantry or closet

• Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair

• Contain pets in hidden crate or outside

• Clear back yard of pet waste/toys

Need Help Staging Your Property? Staging helps provide top dollar and a quick sale of your property. Try our Virtual Staging Services Today and Excite Your Prospective Buyers Tomorrow. All orders are turnaround within 24-Hours.

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Selling your home is like selling a product.  It must be marketed correctly to reach a specific buyer. Although your furnishings and decor are great for your lifestyle, it’s important to optimize your home for the future buyer.

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Virtual Staging is a fantastic way to express your space with elegance and pizazz. Our virtual staging services are affordable and the turnaround is within 24 hours. Our staging is guarantee to make a difference in your photos and will excite your audience.

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The other alternative, and a more costly one is to hire a professional home stager who can provide you with a consultation to help you prepare your home for sale and make sure your home shows at its best online through the photographs.
 

To find a RESA professional stager in your area, visit their website:  Real Estate Staging Association

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