It is time to sell what is probably your most valuable asset - you have chosen your estate agent and it is time for the photographs to be done. Do not waste the opportunity to showcase your home in its best light. It only has one chance to hit the market and sites like Rightmove as a new instruction and stand out from the competition. I recently completed photographs of a property which the owner then complained made her property look cluttered. The agent had to advise them that it looked cluttered in the photos because it was cluttered in reality.
With a bit of preparation you really can give yourself the best chance of getting the highest price for your home. I have put together a pre shoot checklist to help you get ready.
1. Kitchen & Meal Areas
• Clear all benches of any clutter • Remove and hide appliances (kettles & toaster) • Remove all fridge magnets and photos on fridge • Clean all appliances (hobs, ovens & hoods) • Hide any loose electrical leads • Empty rubbish bins • Hide tea-towels • Replace cooker hood light if needed • Set table with your best cutlery and plates • Add a centre piece such as flowers or candles
2. Living & Family Rooms
• Hide all TV remotes • Turn TV’s off • Remove magazines and papers • Remove gym equipment • Hide loose home theatre cables • Clear clutter from shelves and coffee tables • Arrange furniture to make room look large
3. Bathrooms
• Remove toothbrushes & shavers • Remove soap bottles from showers • Remove kids toys from bath • Remove cleaning products • Hide toilet brush & bin • Clean all mirrors and bench tops • Set out your best towels and present the room
4. Bedrooms
• Remove any clothes and clutter from floor • Hide any personal items • Make all beds and straighten pillows • Remove items from bed side tables • Remove baby cots if applicable • Check the bedside lights work
5. Outside the home
• Move vehicles from the driveway and front • Remove rubbish (small and large) • Mow and edge grass front & back • Trim back overgrown trees and bushes • Sweep up cuttings and leaves • Put away kids toys such as bikes etc • Make sure outside lights work
On the day
Before the photographer arrives check over this list one more time and then
start to prepare the property for photos by turning on all lights and lamps, open all
curtains close toilet lids, lock up pets, turn off all televisions and park all cars in the garage or down the street.
If you have small children we recommend that you take the family out for a walk while we shoot your house. This avoids people ending up in the photos and also streamlines your shoot