You probably aren’t surprised that most listings do better with professional photos. One reason is that a home with better photos gets more people to come and look at it sooner, and therefore it spends less time on the market!
"The Wall Street Journal reports that only 15% of listings incorporate higher-end photography."
So using a Realtor® who uses a professional photographer like BrucePeter Photography, helps your home stand out!
So what does a professional architectural photographer do that you or your Realtor® can’t do? When our photographer shoots a house, he brings professional grade camera equipment with specialized lenses which can be adjusted to meet the needs of your home in regards to the lighting and the size of the space.
They also bring in several lights, reflectors, a tripod, and more. They use this equipment to keep your photos level and evenly lit. A point-and-shoot camera, or even a DSLR with an on-camera flash, cannot handle the lighting needs of your home and will often expose for the windows, leaving the interior of your home looking dark and drab. Home buyers want to see brightly lit homes and all the details of the space inside. Our photographer specializes in architectural photography and treats every home as though the images were appearing in a magazine.
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When you have time, get a head start on moving and box up all the little things you don’t really need. Make space in your closets and take out things you won’t be wearing soon. This doesn’t have to be done for the shoot, but it’s something to start working on for showing your home.
REMOVE PHOTOS & SMALL NICKNACKS
Remove personal photos & put away cute items, stuffed animals etc. The aim is to remove things so that prospective buyers can imagine their own things in the house. Shelves should have only one or two large decorative ornaments. Remove all the small nicknacks as they are too small to show well in a photo.
WOULD IT LOOK GOOD IN A PHOTO?
Don’t just put things away, think about whether they will look good in a photo. As a guideline, imagine each room in your house as a showroom in a store. Yes, normally the trash can is in the kitchen, but does it need to be in the photo?
REMOVE PERSONAL ITEMS FROM BATHROOM
Hide all personal items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soaps, shampoos, razors, tissue boxes. Remove trashcans, plungers, toilet bowl scrubbers etc. Remove small decorations on counters. Leave one or two larger decorations (plants, vases).
CLEAR SIDE TABLES AND SURFACES IN BEDROOMS AND OFFICE
Hide bedside clocks, books, glasses, medicines, tissues, phone, etc.
CLEAR OFF COUNTERS IN KITCHEN
Store away coffee makers, toasters, cutting boards, knives, towel rolls, etc. Also remove magnets and papers from fridge. Leave one or two large decorative pieces.
PUT AWAY REMOTES
Put away coasters and magazines, etc. in the living room and family room.
CHILDREN’S TOYS
Some toys are OK in the children’s bedroom or toy room, but if you have toys in the living room, or other rooms of the house, it is best to store them away somewhere. Boxing up toys your child doesn’t often play with gets a head start on moving!