Preparing a Home for Listing Photography
When selling a home, there are countless tasks to consider—finding a trusted real estate agent, scheduling appraisals, organizing your move, and more. But before you dive into packing, take a moment to think about how you want your listing photos to appear.
Home photography is a crucial part of the selling process, and you have significant control over how those photos will turn out. Consider how personal your home is—do you want your children’s graduation or baby pictures visible in photos that could remain on platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia for years? With this in mind, it’s essential to prepare your home for photography before the photographer arrives.
Depersonalize Your Home
Your home is filled with personal touches—photos of friends, family, and loved ones. While these items hold sentimental value for you, consider where these photos will end up and how long they’ll stay online. This isn’t a scare tactic, but a reminder to remove personal items before selling. Taking down baby pictures, graduation photos, or replacing them with neutral decor can make a big difference. Your home can still feel warm and inviting, even without personal memorabilia on display.
Clean Thoroughly
A clean home always photographs better than a cluttered one. It communicates that you’ve put care into preparing your space for potential buyers. Clean, tidy rooms enhance flow and make your home more appealing, increasing the likelihood of attracting serious interest. So, take the time to declutter and tidy up!
Remove Political Messaging
While this might be more relevant during certain times of the year, it’s wise to remove political signage, decor, or messaging. A home doesn’t have political views, but potential buyers do—and they may form opinions, whether fair or not, based on these displays. Keeping your home neutral will appeal to a broader audience.
Neutral Touches
Speaking of neutrality, it’s worth touching up any scuffs or marks that might show up in photos. Even small fixes can have a significant impact, ensuring potential buyers focus on the room itself rather than imperfections. This doesn’t mean a full repaint is necessary, but a little touch-up can go a long way.
Hide Valuables
It’s unfortunate, but not everyone can be trusted. Keep your valuables out of sight in listing photos and during open houses. It’s a simple step that can protect your belongings while your home is being shown.
Consider Professional Staging
If you’ve already moved most of your belongings out, consider hiring a staging company. While not essential, staging can create a welcoming atmosphere and set the tone for how buyers envision using the space. Staged homes often leave a stronger impression, as buyers can see the potential for each room.
That said, it’s perfectly fine to leave your home empty for the photos. A skilled photographer will know how to showcase each room’s layout and flow, even without furniture.
Whether you follow some or all of these tips, the fact that you’re researching best practices shows you’re on the right track.