Why are you here?
Are you selling a property or responsible for the sale? You'll need photos. The most attractive pictures will be of a clean space that potential buyers could see themselves (and their stuff) in. What exactly does that mean to your photographer, though? Do they need you to dust the top of your ceiling fans? Jam the couch in the garage? Empty your fridge? What if you don't have time or forget something? What can be done, then? Let's discuss.
Did you know real estate photographers don't work for free? Of course! But did you know editors need to get paid also? Oooo you're on a roll! Any time someone needs to use their skills to edit photos in post production, we have to pay them -- which means you'll be asked to pay us. So, how do you avoid the simplest mistakes that add up to big money? I'll show you here.
Let's play a game to illustrate. Can you spot the difference in these pictures?
Image by macrovector on Freepik
I hope so! There's dirty windows, wall art so crooked it should make you gag, a book on top of the lamp (fire hazard??!!), and dishes left out. Just... why...? Regardless, anyone with an editing team is going to tell you they can fix these problems -- for a price.
"Digital Decluttering" is the paid answer
At Studio Vos we call this "digital decluttering," and yes, we perform said computer magic for $30 an image. Here's an example of a typical backyard patio we see while on site:
Image by Studio Vos
Impressive, right? No difference in siding texture, brick pattern, lighting. Just a backyard patio exactly as it should be. Here's another one for funzies:
Image by Studio Vos
Ah yes, beautiful empty spaces. This is exactly the image you want to post on MLS sites like HAR.com instead of something with a booklampfirehazard. Bonus, once a room has been decluttered we can add an entire realistic luxury furniture set -- but that's a blog post for another day 😏
Prep work is the "free" answer
Now that you know exactly what we're talking about let's get to the good stuff! How do you ensure the perfect photo ready space so you, the photographer, and your wallet leave happy? Here's the check list we follow:
Property Photography Cleaning Checklist
General
Turn ON all overhead lights and lamps
Wipe down all countertops and tables
Mop/Vacuum floors (remove any stains)
Clean all windows inside and outside
Replace all burned out light bulbs
Turn all ceiling fans to slowest speed or off
Turn all TVs OFF
Turn all computer screens OFF
Halfway open all blinds/window treatments
Make all beds
Place all shoes/jackets in closets
Front Exterior
Close garage doors
Remove cars from driveway and front of home
Clean grease stains from driveway
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.
Backyard
Clean porch
Tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions
Clean Pillows/cushions (should be fresh, not faded, and free of mold/mildew)
Clear out kid’s toys, balls, frisbees, etc.
Remove any toy items in pool
Remove pool vacuum/cleaner hose
Hide pool cleaning supplies
Turn on pool fountains/water features
Remove visible water hoses
Remove trash cans
Kitchen
Clear countertops completely (No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.)
Leave out max of one small appliance (ex. coffee maker) per counter/table
Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
Remove dishes from sink and breakfast area
Bathrooms
Clear countertops 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 clean, unused towels
Remove floor mats
Dining Room
Clear and wipe table, dust and polish the table top if necessary
Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
Remove child seats/booster chairs
Living / Family Room
Remove stacks of magazines, mail, etc.
Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
Remove kid’s toys
Master Bedroom
Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available
Press bed linens and bed skirts
Clear nightstands of all personal items(chargers, remotes, etc.)
Plug in and turn nightstand lights ON
Remove all clutter from top of dressers
Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos
Kid Bedrooms
Remove diaper genies, trash cans, etc.
Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos
Straighten up clutter/toys as much as possible
Pets
Hide food and water bowls
Hide pet beds/toys
Contain pets in hidden crate or outside
Clear back yard of pet waste/toys
Extra Pro Tips
Make sure each room has a clear purpose (Dining room looks like dining room, Game room, etc.)
Broken items should be repaired (if a fireplace is boarded up, unboard it and clean it out)
Unused/Neglected areas should be addressed (if a pool is brown and has trash in it, drain/clean it out)
Oversized items should be stored/replaced for photos and possibly for duration of listing process (if your couch takes up the entire living room or desk the entire office, you may consider trading with a friend for a while or renting from a staging company)
Prep work is the "free" answer
Phew, even old St. Nick would have something to say about that long list! Does this look like tons of work? Yeah, I feel that. Maybe consider having a small house cleaning party with your family. Pizza makes a great prize. Or, if you know you're going to sell for a chonky profit then it might be worth giving this list to a paid cleaning person. I'm sure your agent has a referral 😏
What if you are the agent?! This list could be invaluable for your open house prep. Tell the selling family that following as many of these steps as possible will result in higher quality buyers asking for fewer concessions. Just remember, the key takeaway is that if you want to save money on real estate photography then have your home photo ready before we arrive.
Pro tips, props, problems?
Found a typo? Want to make this post more helpful? Add your pro tips and props to the comments 🙏
PS if you want more tips or found this post helpful, it truly makes a difference to local businesses when you share the link, engage via comment, and/or subscribe for updates.
Komentarze