Real estate images are a huge investment. For example, for the homes we list, our marketing investment (provided at no additional cost to sellers) can be as little as $299 for a lot and up to $5,000 for a luxury home on a multi-building lot. If you have to reshoot as the seasons change, the cost will increase. Preparing a home for a photoshoot is very different from preparing a home for a showing or open house. It’s a stressful time, but you’re working hard. You have to prioritize. Figuratively speaking, don’t be that guy who gets caught mowing the grass while the house is on fire. That person is busy, but that’s probably not what they should be doing at that time.
When preparing your home, go the rawhide way. Remember that old country song from many Westerns, like City Slickers? It goes something like this: “Rollin, rollin, rollin, get the dogs moving, Take the lead and drive them out.”
Clean the surface. Remove all dishes from the kitchen sink. Remove soap, rags, toasters, utensils, cupboards, plants, and clutter. Remove everything from window frames and most things from counters and tables. The old question: “Does this dress make me look fat?” Now, would a vintage square grand piano make this room look smaller? Only real estate agents know for sure.
Less is more.
If you don’t really need it, put it in your garage, shop, dishwasher, trash compactor, or storage. For an extra special touch, set the place at the table.
I know you love those 1988 appliance magnets, photos, and calendars on your refrigerator, but other people don’t want to see them. If your ventilation hood fan filter was last replaced during the Reagan or Carter administrations, replace it. It’s going to be obvious, and we can’t put any scent on that pig. Please remove towels, rugs, toilet brushes, and trash cans from bathrooms. All toilet seats are down. Make sure there is nothing left in the shower and bathtub.
Women remove razors, brushes, footstones, loofah sponges, swimming caps, hot water bottles, shampoo, conditioner, gunk, and ointments.
Everyone, please get rid of bar soap.
Keep private things private. Please remove anything that is “suggestive”. Please remove photos of your family or any photos that identify minors. Images for sale will be posted online for anyone to view. For the garden, please remove water hoses, toys (kids, husband, dog), trash, poop, and trash cans. Do you really want your photographer to walk in poop in the garden and bring it into your home? If you can’t lift, contact your local team or youth club to donate and have them do the heavy lifting for you. win/win
window blinds. All shades should be on the same level. Any thoughts? Perhaps remove the funky cheese on the windows. One of the smartest real estate tricks is to hire a window cleaner on the day of the shoot or the day before. Please make sure to finish at least one hour before her photographer’s appointment time.
Things to avoid. If you’re short on time, you won’t be able to spend time organizing your closets, cupboards, dresser, and garage, cleaning your ceiling fans, and polishing your baseboards. Since the lid of the toilet is closed, there is no need to worry about cleaning it. The exception to this is window cleaning, which should not be scheduled with any other services on the same day. Do not schedule on trash day or the day before trash day.
Do you have a basement that’s too messy or a sloppy tenant renting the space? Sometimes you have to punt when it’s number 4 or long. Seahawks fans know this best. Ask for a digital floor plan that shows the space free of clutter. genius! Remove pet food, water bowls, crates, litter boxes, and beds. Dogs love chasing drones…put Fido in the garage.
You are the seller. We insist on the best packages from North Idaho’s best real estate photographers and videographers. There are some great ones. In our opinion, Charlotte’s Web and Media and Red Hog are probably his two best companies in North Idaho. Why pay full price for a cell phone surrey? Make sure the drone pilot is licensed. Using drone images of real estate from unauthorized sources is a violation of FAA regulations.
It may sound harsh, but buyers should be looking at your home, not your belongings. If they can imagine putting their stuff in your space, they have a better chance of making it their home. Yippee ki yay!
For more information, contact Marty Walker at marty@21goldchoice.com or visit TheMaximusTeam.com. This article was not written by and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Coeur d’Alene Regional REALTORS®.