Having your listing properly prepared and ready for professional photography is very important to the marketing of that home. Buyers are easily distracted by magnets on a fridge or children’s toys strewn about a living room, for example. Ideally, we want to make it easy for buyers to visualize themselves in the home and let them quickly and clearly identify the features you want them to see. That way you can get more buyers interested in seeing that property!
General:
- Replace ALL burned out light bulbs
- Use bulbs of the same temperature (ALL incandescent or ALL compact fluorescent)
- Open blinds/window treatments to let in outside light
- Remove personal photographs, especially large prints (or replace with general landscape/object photographs)
- Make all beds and remove storage items in view under beds
- Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring
- Place all shoes/jackets in closets
- Turn all ceiling fans OFF
- Turn all TVs OFF
- Turn all computer screens OFF
Exterior:
- Close garage doors and hide trash bins
- Remove cars from driveway
- Clean up landscaping for clear shot of front (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.
- Clean pool
- Remove pool vacuum/cleaner hose
- Hide pool cleaning supplies
- Staging Tip: Add vibrant colored cushions and outdoor rugs to back patios or pool areas for an inviting look
Kitchen:
- Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, or cooking spices
- Leave out only one or two small appliances (ex. coffee maker)
- Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
- Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
- Staging Tip: Add an open cookbook to a book holder near the stove
Selling a home is like selling a product – it must be marketed correctly to reach a specific buyer. Although seller furnishings and decor are great for their lifestyle, it’s important to optimize the home for the future buyer.
