Getting Your Home ready
getting your home ready
I try to meet a homeowner or other client where they are and be flexible with the situation. Sometimes this means taking your moving boxes from one room to another to avoid getting them into your picture. Sometimes it means pulling out a paper towel and and wiping down that spot you happened to miss. Whatever the needs are, I understand that moving can be a stressful time and I try to be flexible for your needs. I'm not a professional stager, and I will not stage your home for a photo shoot, per se, but I will do a small amount of simple freshening up if needed - like fluffing throw pillows or folding a hand towel neatly over the curtain rod. In short, I take the extra time to CARE about showing your home in its best light. (I try my best to remember to put everything back where I found it, and I will not move or even touch valuables)
having said that - a cleaner, more well organized home is certainly the goal to help the process go smoothly and get your house noticed and SOLD! The more clean and clutter-free your home is, the better that will be represented in the photos and the more likely the chances are that it will catch a home buyer's attention on-line. in addition, you're most likely going to want to do a lot of these things anyways when you show your home to potential buyers in person.
Here are some guidelines that will help:
1. hide non decorative items to minimize clutter!
believe it or not, this step is actually more important than dusting or squeaky clean windows! we like to view images where our eye can move through without getting trapped up in clutter. if you don't know if an item is non decorative - ask yourself, "Did I buy it because it is pretty, or because it is useful?"
here are the items that are most commonly left out:
-phones/tablets/chargers
-remote controls
-anti fatigue mats
-trash cans & bins
-cleaning supplies (including sponges and washcloths by kitchen sink)
-tissue boxes
-loose mail
-floor fans
-dog toys
-purse/ wallet
-excessive toiletries like shampoos/conditioners, lotions, perfume bottles, medicines, etc
-plungers & toilet brushes
-bathroom rugs (particularly if you have nice floors - let's show them off!)
*** please note: I am happy to help move things like remote controls and magazines if needed; however, I prefer not to touch valuable items such as purses, jewelry, & medications.
2. let the light in! remove (non decorative) window insulators and replace light bulbs
Lighting is KEY with home photos. Please make sure all your lights work properly, and have working light bulbs.
remove any window insulators that do not let natural light in. any decorative curtains and blinds that can be opened, should remain!
tip: some light bulbs have a yellow tint, while others have a blue tint. if you can help it, try not to mix the colors in the same room. it will cast these colors in different directions and sometimes can make for a very odd looking photo.
3. Remove your cars from the driveway/garage
Curb appeal is very important to your home's listing. A car in the driveway will both minimize the size of your yard/driveway and distract from the curb appeal of your home. (There are exceptions to this rule - if your home is a vacation home or a lifestyle home - then a fabulous boat or a classic car in the driveway might just what is needed to showcase that.)
3. Consider taking your family photos down
I know that this can be a sensitive subject. Your home may have many memories that can be difficult to think about parting with; however, a buyer wants to see in their mind's eye an image of themselves (and possibly their own family) living there. Current family photos have the potential to distract from this, and also distract from the features of the home. We want your buyer to focus on the features of the home, and not the personal items that won't be there when they move in.
(THIS IS A TIP THAT IS MOSTLY FOR HOMES WHICH HAVE MANY FAMILY PHOTOS AND COLLAGES OF FAMILY PHOTOS. ONE OR TWO PHOTOS ARE NICE AND CAN EVEN COMPLIMENT A ROOM AND REMIND A POTENTIAL HOME-BUYER OF HOW THE HOME IS GOOD FOR quality FAMILY time)
4. consider taking degrees, awards, and other security risk items down
this is a bit of an odd one - i'll explain. If you have awards, degrees, or even a post it note with your wifi password posted in your home, they present two risks: 1. they pose an identity theft risk. the wrong person out there might use the image to copy and attempt to recreate your degree or award to use for their own gain. 2. there may be buyers out there that see the accomplishments and assume these accomplishments translate into success and wealth for you; and therefore, feel they can send you a "lowball" offer on your home.
furthermore, take your keys/purses down from where you normally hang them. someone may be able to browse the online images and use the information to break into your home and easily find these items to steal.
6. Put your pets in a separate area (and away from the windows)
one of my absolute favorite parts of my job is getting to meet new dogs and cats!! i love animals, and i'd love nothing more than to spend my time petting your furry friend and not taking photos! but, of course, they have a tendency to want to jump in front of the camera and get in the shot, so please put them in a separate area so i can get in and out and take up as little of your time as is necessary
7. Try not to let my list overwhelm you - it is meant to be a guide, not a list of demands
This is a pretty long list, I know. And moving is already a busy and straining time. The list is meant to be a guide (not a set of demands) to help you have your best possible photos for your home in the hopes that it will help make your selling experience a success. If you're unable to get everything on your list done, I am here to help. I do not mind stuffing a few things in drawers and I also specialize in moving stuff from one corner of the room to another to get one angle of the room - and then moving it back to get the second angle. I have two kids, three animals, and a full time job so please believe me when I tell you I KNOW how fast clutter & dust can get piled up, and light bulbs can burn out without getting replaced. I'm there to help in any way I can.
I try to meet a homeowner or other client where they are and be flexible with the situation. Sometimes this means taking your moving boxes from one room to another to avoid getting them into your picture. Sometimes it means pulling out a paper towel and and wiping down that spot you happened to miss. Whatever the needs are, I understand that moving can be a stressful time and I try to be flexible for your needs. I'm not a professional stager, and I will not stage your home for a photo shoot, per se, but I will do a small amount of simple freshening up if needed - like fluffing throw pillows or folding a hand towel neatly over the curtain rod. In short, I take the extra time to CARE about showing your home in its best light. (I try my best to remember to put everything back where I found it, and I will not move or even touch valuables)
having said that - a cleaner, more well organized home is certainly the goal to help the process go smoothly and get your house noticed and SOLD! The more clean and clutter-free your home is, the better that will be represented in the photos and the more likely the chances are that it will catch a home buyer's attention on-line. in addition, you're most likely going to want to do a lot of these things anyways when you show your home to potential buyers in person.
Here are some guidelines that will help:
1. hide non decorative items to minimize clutter!
believe it or not, this step is actually more important than dusting or squeaky clean windows! we like to view images where our eye can move through without getting trapped up in clutter. if you don't know if an item is non decorative - ask yourself, "Did I buy it because it is pretty, or because it is useful?"
here are the items that are most commonly left out:
-phones/tablets/chargers
-remote controls
-anti fatigue mats
-trash cans & bins
-cleaning supplies (including sponges and washcloths by kitchen sink)
-tissue boxes
-loose mail
-floor fans
-dog toys
-purse/ wallet
-excessive toiletries like shampoos/conditioners, lotions, perfume bottles, medicines, etc
-plungers & toilet brushes
-bathroom rugs (particularly if you have nice floors - let's show them off!)
*** please note: I am happy to help move things like remote controls and magazines if needed; however, I prefer not to touch valuable items such as purses, jewelry, & medications.
2. let the light in! remove (non decorative) window insulators and replace light bulbs
Lighting is KEY with home photos. Please make sure all your lights work properly, and have working light bulbs.
remove any window insulators that do not let natural light in. any decorative curtains and blinds that can be opened, should remain!
tip: some light bulbs have a yellow tint, while others have a blue tint. if you can help it, try not to mix the colors in the same room. it will cast these colors in different directions and sometimes can make for a very odd looking photo.
3. Remove your cars from the driveway/garage
Curb appeal is very important to your home's listing. A car in the driveway will both minimize the size of your yard/driveway and distract from the curb appeal of your home. (There are exceptions to this rule - if your home is a vacation home or a lifestyle home - then a fabulous boat or a classic car in the driveway might just what is needed to showcase that.)
3. Consider taking your family photos down
I know that this can be a sensitive subject. Your home may have many memories that can be difficult to think about parting with; however, a buyer wants to see in their mind's eye an image of themselves (and possibly their own family) living there. Current family photos have the potential to distract from this, and also distract from the features of the home. We want your buyer to focus on the features of the home, and not the personal items that won't be there when they move in.
(THIS IS A TIP THAT IS MOSTLY FOR HOMES WHICH HAVE MANY FAMILY PHOTOS AND COLLAGES OF FAMILY PHOTOS. ONE OR TWO PHOTOS ARE NICE AND CAN EVEN COMPLIMENT A ROOM AND REMIND A POTENTIAL HOME-BUYER OF HOW THE HOME IS GOOD FOR quality FAMILY time)
4. consider taking degrees, awards, and other security risk items down
this is a bit of an odd one - i'll explain. If you have awards, degrees, or even a post it note with your wifi password posted in your home, they present two risks: 1. they pose an identity theft risk. the wrong person out there might use the image to copy and attempt to recreate your degree or award to use for their own gain. 2. there may be buyers out there that see the accomplishments and assume these accomplishments translate into success and wealth for you; and therefore, feel they can send you a "lowball" offer on your home.
furthermore, take your keys/purses down from where you normally hang them. someone may be able to browse the online images and use the information to break into your home and easily find these items to steal.
6. Put your pets in a separate area (and away from the windows)
one of my absolute favorite parts of my job is getting to meet new dogs and cats!! i love animals, and i'd love nothing more than to spend my time petting your furry friend and not taking photos! but, of course, they have a tendency to want to jump in front of the camera and get in the shot, so please put them in a separate area so i can get in and out and take up as little of your time as is necessary
7. Try not to let my list overwhelm you - it is meant to be a guide, not a list of demands
This is a pretty long list, I know. And moving is already a busy and straining time. The list is meant to be a guide (not a set of demands) to help you have your best possible photos for your home in the hopes that it will help make your selling experience a success. If you're unable to get everything on your list done, I am here to help. I do not mind stuffing a few things in drawers and I also specialize in moving stuff from one corner of the room to another to get one angle of the room - and then moving it back to get the second angle. I have two kids, three animals, and a full time job so please believe me when I tell you I KNOW how fast clutter & dust can get piled up, and light bulbs can burn out without getting replaced. I'm there to help in any way I can.