Great real estate photography and beautiful home staging can make a huge difference in the price you are offered and the timeframe you close in.
Putting in the extra effort with incredible photography and a professionally staged space, will typically pay for itself and then some. Check out our latest post for some great staging and photo tips!
Real Estate Photography and Staging to Sell Your Home in Fort Myers
Before The Photos Are Taken and The House Is Shown…
Bringing in professionals is essential for fully leveraging staging and photography for your property. It’s advisable to hire experts, likely two distinct individuals. A photographer may excel at capturing light and maximizing space in photos, but they might lack proficiency in accessorizing or furniture arrangement. Conversely, a professional stager might not possess the skills to optimize lighting or capture the best angles. The synergy between these specialists is what will elevate your property’s visual appeal and attract the attention it deserves.
As They Say, A Picture Says A Thousand Words…
Great photography is paramount when listing your house on the MLS and other platforms. We have all seen the photos. Those listings where you say, I can’t BELIEVE they used that shot! Some people take photos themselves, while others rely on their agent.
Some agents have a good eye, however, nothing can compete with hiring a professional photographer. They will have all kinds of tricks, allowing them to get the absolute BEST photos of your house. Tripods, wide angle lenses and natural lighting are just a few must-haves.
Hiring a professional will easily pay for itself. Keep in mind, a photographer is NOT a stager. They are not there to clean up or position items throughout your home. They are there to capture the best photos of what “is”.
Get it “Magazine Pretty” With a Professional Stager
Professional staging is still largely seen as a “boutique” service, or something only used by people in big cities. But the fact is, staging has a HUGE impact on your ability to successfully sell your home.
People largely buy based on emotion. You will want to create a neutral environment, yet still, allow the viewer to feel as if they are in their own home. Some stagers will refurnish and decorate a whole house, however, it is much more common to focus on a couple main rooms.
Depending on what you already have, a stager can bring in many pieces or simply replace and repurpose items you already have to be more aesthetically pleasing. The ultimate goal of staging is to maximize the perceived value of the home.
Tip #1: Declutter
Before taking any photos or showing your house to potential buyers, ensure all clutter has been removed. Buyers typically prefer not to see personal possessions or photos while touring a house. Such items can make people feel intrusive and subconsciously prompt them to leave. This is not the impression you want to create!
Tip #2: Say Goodbye To All Personal Items
Temporarily storing personal items such as photos, awards, bills, as well as religious and political paraphernalia can enhance the comfort of potential buyers. Your aim is to create an environment where people can envision themselves living. Removing such personal artifacts makes it easier for visitors to mentally picture themselves in the space. Moreover, packing away unnecessary items and personal effects streamlines the process when moving day eventually arrives.
Tip #3: Don’t Neglect the Outside Areas
For both photography and viewing purposes, you will want to spend some time fixing up the outside of your home. Don’t leave your cars in the driveway, instead park them down the street.
This will allow the focus to be on your home in the photos and will make people feel like they are pulling into their own driveway as opposed to someone else’s. You should also put away all personal items and kid stuff. They say people decide if buying is a possibility in only a matter of seconds.
This is why it pays to clean up the front yard, plant a few flowers and refresh the front porch. The backyard should also be clear of clutter, with a warm and inviting feel. People should want to spend their time there!
Tip # 4: Keep it Tidy… Like Really Tidy
You never really know how other people live. Keeping food out on the counter, the lid up on the toilet, or having cables running across your walls can be huge eyesores to certain people viewing your home. Think about how you would expect a hotel or Air B&B to look upon arrival… and strive for that.