Your property's marketing assets include photographs and videos. The quality of these assets can be the difference between a flood of viewings or failing to generate any interest from your target audience.
As with most things in life, when it comes to selling your house, you want to create the best first impression, and you only have one chance to get it right.
Whether your property's photos and videos will adorn the window of a high street agent or appear on an online estate agency website or listings portal, your pictures and videos are the very first thing that will grab attention and create a lasting impression.
So, how can you get it all just right, so your house photos stand out from all the others?
Give Your House a Spring Clean
First impressions matter. A clean property will help make the property photos more attractive and appealing.
Go through every room, remove any day-to-day or personal items, declutter, tidy up and try to maximise the feeling of open space. However, avoid doing too much—a cluttered property is just as bad as a sterile, uninviting property.
Adding fresh flowers or simple yet striking ornaments can add character and instant appeal.
Utilise Natural Light
Incorporating light into your photos is a huge asset. Ensuring blinds are up, curtains are open, and windows are clean means that natural light can help illuminate your property.
In some cases, you may not have a great deal of light that flows into the house. Where this is the case, mirrors can be a great tool to help reflect and amplify available light.
Increase Kerb Appeal
You may not have the greenest of fingers and you may not have the most colourful of gardens, but making outside presentable matters. If you have a lawn, mow it; if you have weeds, remove them. It is a quick and simple task that can instantly change the perception of what people expect to find inside.
If you have toys, garden tools, hosepipes, or anything else like that laying on your greenery, remove them and store them away. According to the Homeowner's Alliance, 68% of homeowners state that kerb appeal was an important factor in their house choice.
Room-by-Room Preparation Guide
Outside
- Choose a time of day when the front of the house is shown in good natural light
- Try to choose a clear, bright day
- Move any vehicles from outside the property
- Remove any clutter such as bins and hoses
- Mow the lawn and tidy the garden including weeding and removing leaves
- Clean the windows
Reception Rooms
- Remove scruffy throws from sofas
- Arrange cushions to look smart and tidy
- Set dining room tables
- Remove rugs, especially where you have wooden or tiled floors
- Any children's toys or piles of magazines, DVDs etc. should be out of sight
Set the Scene Inside
- Moving furniture around may help to make a room look more spacious
- Make sure your home is well lit, and replace any light bulbs that have gone out
- Open all curtains and blinds
- Fresh flowers help to breathe life into a property
Bedrooms
- Make the bed and choose bed clothes that complement the room
- Anything stored under the bed should be completely out of sight
- All drawers and wardrobe doors should be shut
Kitchen
- Clear all work tops and make sure there are no tea towels or chopping boards on show
- Move bins out of sight
- Clear away appliances
- Close all cupboards
- Hide all fridge magnets
- Clear the sink (no dirty dishes!)
- If you have pets, hide their food bowls and beds
- A full, fresh fruit bowl can add a flash of colour
Bathroom
- Keep the toilet lid down
- Remove clutter like shower gels and toothbrushes
- Close the shower curtain
- Remove toilet paper from its holder
- Any towels should be neatly arranged and folded, and chosen to complement the room
If you have any questions or would like further professional advice on how to present your property for sale, just ask! We love to help. Learn more about our photography services or get in touch to discuss your project.
