Are you considering putting your home on the market? If so, you’ll want to make sure it has “screen appeal.” Since most people shop for new properties online these days, your home’s online listing photos are critical in getting buyers to take a closer look. Here are some tips for making your home look its best in photos:
Make sure the property is clean and clutter-free
All the best-looking properties you see online have one thing in common: they’re neat and tidy. So, before you start snapping pictures of your home, go through it and make sure everything is clean and organized.
Dust the furniture, vacuum or steam-clean the floors (including the carpets), wipe down cabinets inside and out so they look nice in photos, scrub countertops, and so on.
The goal is to make your home look as if it’s been professionally staged, even if you’re just doing it yourself.
Make sure there’s good lighting
One of the biggest problems with taking photos indoors is poor lighting. So before you start snapping pictures, take a few minutes to adjust the light in the room.
If there are any windows, open them up to let in natural light; and if there aren’t, try turning on all of the lights in the room.
And if that still doesn’t give you enough light, consider using a flash.
Choose an attractive background
When taking photos of your home, you probably don’t want to have your bed or the sofa in the background (unless it’s a picture of that particular room).
So, before you take pictures, move anything distracting out of view.
If you are taking a photo of a specific item, such as an appliance or piece of furniture that is being sold separately, make sure to clean it up and remove any clutter from the
Take advantage of photo editing software
Even if you take the best photos in the world, there’s a good chance that they could still use some improvement.
That’s where photo editing software comes in – programs like Photoshop or GIMP can help you to improve the lighting, color, and composition of your photos.
If you’re not sure how to use these programs, there are plenty of online tutorials that can walk you through the basics.
And if you’re really struggling, consider hiring a professional photographer to take some pictures for you.
Remove personal items from view (photos, family portraits, etc)
The idea of taking photos of your home is to make it look as nice and inviting as possible, not personal.
So you’ll want to remove any photos or other family items that might distract potential buyers from seeing the full potential in your property.
Consider rearranging furniture and décor for better photo composition
Most people do not have an eye for photography (that’s why you see so many poorly taken photos online).
But that doesn’t mean that your home can’t look great in pictures. You can simply ask a friend to help rearrange furniture and décor around your house before taking pictures. Or, if all else fails, hire a professional for an hour or two.
Invest in some easy upgrades to add instant curb appeal
Consider changing out any old door handles, faucets, switch plates, and other fixtures that might be outdated or dated.
Adding fresh paint colors to doors and exterior trim could also make a big difference in making your property look more inviting from the outside.
Clean up the yard and landscaping
Spruce up your lawn by mowing, weeding, and mulching. And be sure to clean any dusty windows or solar panels before taking pictures of the exterior of your home.
Replace dead plants with fresh ones that are in bloom, if possible. If you have a porch or patio area, add a few colorful chairs and accent pieces to make it look more inviting.
Set your home up for the best screen appeal
Setting your house up for good screen appeal is key to getting buyers through the door. If you’re unsure about how to arrange your house for maximum screen appeal, consider contacting a realtor for some advice.
If you have any questions about how to increase your home’s “screen appeal,” please don’t hesitate to contact us! We’re more than happy to help.
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