Most people understand the importance of the first impression when it comes to things like a job interview, meeting a person for the first time, etc. Some may not realize that the rules that apply in those situations also apply when trying to sell your home. There is an abundance of homes on the market today and making yours stand out (in a positive way) is imperative to getting it sold.
A majority of home buyers are searching listings on sites such as Homes.com during the house hunting stage. Your homes photos on such sites are the very first impression the potential buyer receives. Representing your home in the best possible light through these photos is important because these are often the photos people go off of when deciding what homes they want to see in person.
Following these helpful tips will help your home look its best.
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De-Clutter and Clean Your Home
Everything stands out more in photos. While taking the photo move trash cans, little knick knacks, soap dispensers etc. so the photo showcases the home’s features not your personal belongings.
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Utilize Natural Light
Natural light will showcase the home best as it is the least likely to distort colors. Try to not use a flash as it can create less flattering photos.
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Utilize Space for Different Angle Shots
Stand at the end of a room, on a chair, sit down, and look down from the stairs if you can. Don’t be afraid to get creative to take the best shots of an area of your home.
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Use a Tripod
Unless you’re just crazy talented it’s very hard to hold a camera perfectly still. Using a tripod will help you take the clearest picture possible.
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If Possible, Take Outdoor Photos in the Spring/Summer
That is the time of year when plants are in their prime and everything will look lush and full. If you know you’re going to be listing your home in the winter, take photos in the spring months and save them for the listing.
I said it before and I’ll say it again, clean your home before taking photos. Nothing leaves a bad impression like an unmade bed, overflowing trash can or dirty carpets. Also, take a lot of photos of different areas of the home. Just because you may have a stellar backyard, it shouldn’t be all of your homes listing photos. Potential buyers want to see the whole package. Check out our selling a home section for additional tips.
Christine is the Content Marketing Coordinator for Homes.com. She's a small town girl at heart, who currently lives in Norfolk, VA with her husband and their fur baby. When she's not working, she enjoys cooking, decorating, traveling, and binge watching Netflix. As a proud Virginia Tech alum, she also loves cheering on the Hokies!
