Capture Buyers’ Attention: Prepare Your Home for Photography and Open Houses

This month we will cover some tips to prepare your home for Open Houses and Showings!

First of all, buyers have an opinion of your home prior to visiting in person which is made possible by the photos they see on the internet. Realtors can afford to use a professional photographer, so please confirm that your Realtor is using one.  Buyers spend an average of 15 minutes in your home and if they are very interested, they will spend as much as 45 minutes!

Did you know that buyers will have an emotional reaction within 15 seconds of entering your home?  This makes your entrance very important.  The yard and entry way should be clean, decluttered, and inviting.  You may need to paint the front door or invest in throw pillows for the patio furniture.  You may need to pull weeds, coil up the hose, add fresh flowers in a pot, and buy a new “Welcome” mat. The entry way should be swept clean for showings.

Change lightbulbs, match lightbulbs, and update fixtures as needed.  It sends the wrong message to buyers if they see burned out lightbulbs in the photos.

Pack away the clutter and remove worn furniture so your home will look larger, and the buyers can imagine themselves living there.  

Your bathroom should be white and bright; with most things on the counter packed up including the plunger and air freshener.  If there are plumbing leaks, you will want to take care of those.

One of the most important rooms in the house is the kitchen and one of the rooms that your buyers are most attracted to.  Counters should be as clear as possible and oven and microwave cleaned.  Remove photos, magnets, and reminders from the refrigerator door.  Put fresh flowers on kitchen island. 

Your bedrooms may need to be cleaned and decluttered.  Your bed should be clean and inviting with white sheets and a neutral duvet cover along with 4 pillows.  Make sure bed is made prior to photo shoot or showings (I’ve seen some pretty messy bedrooms in photos on the internet).

Pack up items in closets that you haven’t worn in a year so that your closet will appear larger. 

In your living room, clean the couch and chairs and get new throw pillows if the ones you have are old and worn.  If you have wires hanging down from the TV, hide them as to avoid a huge distraction in the photo.  Only 1-2 family photos are recommended for display.

In the dining room, remove the mail, the kid’s homework, and any clutter off the table and hutch and ensure that there is only one nice centerpiece on the table.

Paint is a great way to freshen up your home with very little investment.  You may need to repaint kitchen or main areas with light or neutral paint, but bedrooms can get away with more bold colors.  Hide old water stains from repairs with paint – it will do wonders!

Investing in a professional window washer the day before the photo shoot will be well worth it.  Over time, windows develop streaks, water stains, smudges, and fingerprints and can affect the light coming in; making it appear dark in the photos.

Carpets should be steam cleaned prior to photo shoot and showings or if they are too far gone, you may want to replace the flooring altogether.  If you have throw rugs on a laminate or wood floor, remove them for a larger appearance.

I recommend a final clean by a professional cleaner.   You will potentially get that investment back because buyers want to buy a clean home.

I love pets, but if you have them, please hide their dishes, beds, litter boxes, and crates prior to showing your home and take your pets with you during an Open House or while an agent is showing your home.  Do not leave them in a pet crate while your home is being shown as I have experienced!

Your home should smell fresh and natural.  Opening windows to allow fresh air in is the best way to neutralize the air in your home.  If you use air fresheners, buyers often think you are trying to hide something.  You could slice a lemon in the kitchen to produce a fresh, clean odor.

Discuss with your Realtor whether your home should be staged or not.  They will have the best recommendation.  Plan to have all the lights on for the photographer, Open Houses, and showings.  It is also a good idea to have some nice mellow classical music playing during Open Houses and showings.

Last, but not least, secure all valuable items such as cash or jewelry for showings.  Do consider leaving some snacks and bottled water along with a note as to why you have enjoyed living in the neighborhood.  Buyers love this!

I know all of this sounds overwhelming, but it will be well worth it and if you need any help planning all of this, I am happy to help.  Just give me a call or send me an email.