Outdoor Images

Preparing the exterior of your property is just as important as preparing the interior. Pay special attention to the state of the siding or brick, the trim around windows and doors, shutters, and other items that have paint or special finishes. Many times unkempt shrubs and trees will dominate an image. You want the image’s main focus on the property rather than distracting landscaping and maintenance issues. If necessary, you may want to consider painting or making other minor repairs. Also it is a good idea to move wheelie bins, outdoor appliances and any clutter into the garage beforehand. A freshly mowed lawn will help. Your home needs to have curb appeal. If it doesn’t, buyers will be less likely to consider looking inside.

Indoor Images

You will want to put yourself in a buyer’s shoes and take a good, hard subjective look at your property. This is obviously not the easiest thing to do, but can massively help in the price you achieve and the speed of sale. The first thing you will want to do is decide which rooms you want to feature in the shots. I will certainly discuss this with you on site but, as a guide, important rooms such as common living areas, the kitchen, the bedrooms and bathroom are all likely rooms to shoot.

Once you have decided which areas will be photographed, it’s time to go to work. Start by removing any and all clutter from the room. Though it is acceptable to leave furniture on the floor and pictures on the walls, it is important to depersonalize the room as much as possible. Remove ornaments, personal photographs, objects on the floor – such as bean bags, door stops, and pet beds. Kitchens and bathrooms are particularly important. Clear away preparation surfaces, fridge doors, bathroom shelves and other areas to make rooms less busy. Next, evaluate the lighting in each room. You want the rooms to feel bright and airy in the photos. I have an excellent flash system, but the more natural light the better so drawing back the curtains and opening blinds will help. Also small purchases such as flower arrangements, and even a new shower curtain can add flair to your images relatively inexpensively.