The most important day when selling your home.

Creating a STANDOUT first impression

Many sellers believe the open home is the most important day of the sales campaign. However, recent studies have revealed 70-80% of the buyer’s decision making process is influenced from viewing the property online. In today’s world of technology, the first impression has shifted from the open house to the online listing. A standout online presence drives competition which puts upward pressure on your price.  A great on-line presence entices  buyers to hop in their car and drive to your open home on Saturday to inspect. When presenting your home to the market, be sure to engage a professional photographer.  We also suggest the following tips on how to prepare for the biggest day of the sales campaign – the photo shoot.

1. Clear horizontal surfaces

Start with a walk through of your house and inspect every horizontal surface. In the kitchen, consider packing away small appliances from the bench-tops to maximise the appearance of work spaces.  Stash away the toothbrushes and toiletries from the bathroom sinks.  Clear any crockery or papers from the dining room table. Clearing horizontal surfaces will make your home appear less ‘busy’ and therefore more spacious in photos.

2. Rearrange and minimise furniture to create space

In a previous article  we touched on the importance of creating space when styling and staging your home for sale. The same principles apply to the photo shoot.  Big and bulky furniture will become the focal point of the photo, so it’s best to remove or reposition these items if possible.  The photographer will be seeking maximum space in the foreground of a photo.  You can help this by ensuring that there is as much clear floor space as possible at the doorway to all of your bedrooms.  Be prepared to move your furniture around to achieve this.   It will be worth it.

3. Open all windows, blinds and doorways

Before the photographer arrives, open all the windows, blinds and doorways.   Firstly, the photographer will appreciate you saving them time.  More importantly, opening windows and blinds will help fill the home with natural light.  This is a photographer’s dream.

4. Replace broken bulbs and light fittings

One of the first things the photographer will do on arrival is switch on all the lights. This is particularly important if there is limited natural light available in a room. Before the photographer arrives, make sure light coverings are clean and all light bulbs are in working order.  This includes bedside lamps and external lights.

5. Trust the photographer

Property photographers will do what it takes to get the best photo. In order to do this, they may move a piece of furniture or remove some items you may have purchased for the shoot. Don’t be disheartened if this happens.  The expert have an eye for knowing what does and doesn’t work when capturing a shot.  Their experience is priceless.

6. Remove your personal stamp

If you have lived in your home for many years, you may have accumulated a collection of family treasures, mementos and family photos.  You may be hesitant to remove these beloved items.  However, it’s best they are cleared away prior to the photographer’s arrival. Removing your personal stamp will make it easier for the buyer to imagine themselves living in your home.  This will increase the appeal of your home to a wider audience.  It also encourages the essential emotional experience you want in buyers to help push your price up.

7. Don’t forget the exteriors

First impressions count in all areas of your property.  Buyers will want to see photos of the outside of your home when looking at your listing online. In preparation for the photo shoot, ensure the exterior of your home is well-presented aslo.  Cleaning, painting the fence or front steps, gurneying the driveway, mowing the lawn, weeding and remulching the gardens are all important steps to complete. Maximise your curb appeal on the day of the photo shoot by parking vehicles off the driveway and away from the front of the home. Also, hide those wheelie bins – buyers don’t want to see your rubbish!

Good luck with your photoshoot!

The tips above will help you prepare your home for the all-important photo shoot.  They will broaden the appeal of your property to buyers with the use of bright, eye-catching photos.  If you’d like more styling and presentation tips, download this guide.

address – Brighton, Qld 4017
postal – PO Box 608, Sandgate QLD 4017
phone – 0438 515 003
email – rose@rosekelly.com.au