7 Ways To Prepare For Your Go-To-Market Photo Shoot

With the majority of buyers shopping for homes online – and of those buyers, the majority skipping over Listings that do not have accompanying photos - high-resolution photos, slide shows and tours are a must. FREE DOWNLOAD: The Ultimate Home Selling Guide Book

Your Listing Agent will take care of the actual photo shoot, but there are seven key things you can do to make your home shine on camera: 1. Understand the camera’s perspective The camera’s eye is different from the human eye. It magnifies clutter and poor furniture arrangement so that even a home that feels comfortable in person can look jumbled online. 2. Make it spotless Cameras also tend to magnify grime. Don’t forget floor coverings and walls; a spot on a rug might be overlooked during a regular home showing, but it could become a focal point online. 3. Know what to leave You want to avoid clutter, but try to have three items of varying heights on each surface. On an end table you can place a tall lamp (high), a small plant (medium), and a book (low). 4. Snap practice pictures with your own camera This will give you an idea of what the home will look like on camera before the photographer shows up. Examine the photos and make changes to improve each room’s appearance, such as opening blinds to let in natural light, removing magnets from the refrigerator, or taking down distracting art. 5. Pare down Removing one or two pieces of furniture from each room, even if just for the shoot, can make your space appear larger on screen. 6. Rearrange Spotlight the flow of your space by creating a focal point on the furthest wall from the doorway and arranging the other pieces of furniture to make a triangle shape. The focal point may be a bed in a bedroom or a china cabinet in a dining room. 7. Accessorize Include a healthy plant in every room; the camera loves greenery. Energize bland decor by placing a bright vase on a mantle or draping an afghan over a couch. YOUR TURN Did you recently list or sell your home with award-winning photography? Tell us your secrets! Sound of on our Facebook Page, Twitter or Instagram feeds or connect with us on LinkedIn. And don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly HOME ADVICEtm email newsletter for great tips for homeowners and sellers delivered straight to your inbox. You may unsubscribe at any time.