Prepping Home for Photography for Space Coast Homes of Florida
The goal behind prepping for photography is to create a narrative about your home. The more appealing it is, the easier it is to make an offer. If things look cared for, the potential buyers will feel a lot more optimistic about their investment. Stand out from your competition and give your home the best opportunity to make the most money as quickly as possible.
- Check the weather! Droopy rainy days do not photo well.
- Yard: Mowed, cleared, use dark mulch if necessary (brown mulch looks bad). If garden looks bad, take it down. If property needs to be power washed, painted, do it. If umbrella is down, put it up. Wipe off yard furniture, open up grill (clean it off). Roll up hoses, remove pet waste, pull weeds, rake, etc. make it friendly and easy to navigate. Light everything up for evening shots as well.
- Turn on all the lights (make sure they work too) and open window treatments (the photographer will not touch them) and they show 10x better looking open and spacious. Leave out the remotes for lights/fireplaces/garages. Check to make sure windows, doors and cupboards are easy to open and close.
- Make sure it's not a garbage day. Drone shots will not look lovely with garbage bins everywhere.
- Be sure to move the car/s on the day of.
- Smells. I cannot say enough about smells. They have to be eradicated completely. This can be an automatic deal breaker even for the heartiest of fixer-uppers.
- CLEAN. This means everything. The more clear and free from clutter and things at the less distracting for the buyer. From the big things: art, microwaves, coffee makers, toasters, to the itty bitty things like toothbrushes. Remove rugs, dirty foot mats, shoes in hallway.
- Make your beds! Put away alarms/electronics, etc.
- Remove all pet items and have a plan for them during your shoot.
- Bathroom: Put toilet lid down. Put all personal items away (toothbrushes/toiletries)
11. Privacy is very important so remove all names/photos or things that announce your people/jobs, etc.
12. Valuables: Lock them up and secure.
13. Flags- take them down. They can goof up the photos so just put them down for the shoot.
14. Box up clutter. Just put away all the books and toys, and move them into storage. The more space, the more appealing your home. Don't use the closets! Those need Space. People have stuff and want to be able to visualize how things are going to work for them.
15. Signs of insects/rodent droppings, leaky faucets. Take care of these matters for everyone's benefit.
16. Quick and affordable ways to spruce up a home may include: lights, new electrical faceplates, fresh paint (but long before clients walk through house to avoid house). Fresh flowers, cold water available, some glade plug ins, fresh towels.
17. Check views from windows. Can anything be improved?
I hope you find these tips helpful. Enjoy your real estate experience with someone who cares about the big picture and the little things in between. I hope to hear from you soon.
Shannon Katz, Realtor. 970-366-7644 c.
email: shannon.katz@c21circle.com
Century 21 Circle, Indialantic, FL
Personal Statement: My real estate abilities are based on good communications, research, expert marketing, experience, fluid team work, mutual respect and realistic expectations.
All information is strictly confidential and never shared.
Spacecoast Realtor, Shannon Katz with Century 21 Circle serves: Indialantic, Indian Harbor, Satellite Beach, Melbourne, Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach and surrounding areas. Beachfront, golf, luxury, homes, condos, land and investments.
