Expert photographer, Jeff Riggins of Hoosier Property Media, shares how you can be a team player in capturing the best photographs of your home.
Why are professional photos important?
Over 95% of home buyers start their search online. What exactly are they looking at? You guessed it, photos!
Great photos create buyer interest! We need to create interest in your home from the start. We don’t want to consider a price reduction after weeks of no showings or calls. You can see why great photos could potentially save you thousands of dollars.
Photos should be tackled as a team! You get your home ready and we’ll make magic happen behind the camera. Let’s get your home ready for awesomeness!
Here’s what we need you to do and where.
Where will photos be taken?
You’re short on time. Everyone is nowadays. Let’s focus on what will make the biggest impact.
We won’t be shooting closets or the garage, so don’t worry about those at all. Feel free to pack these spaces to the ceiling if need be! We will shoot main living spaces, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. So make sure they are clean, decluttered and ready for their close ups.
What can you do to prepare?
Declutter! If you do nothing else, declutter! What does that mean? It’s more than just pushing things against the walls or shoving them in a corner. We need it gone! If you are crunched for space, or don’t want to box up things you may need, place them in the garage or spare bedroom. It’s better to not shoot a simple bedroom that you needed to pack full, then it is to have that stuff scattered throughout the home ruining the rest of the photos. It sounds like a lot of work, but we’re selling a home. You’re going to be doing this step anyways. Before the photo shoot is a great time to get started!
Natural light is the best light! Oftentimes, people darken their windows with dark curtains or blinds. Slide open dark curtains and twist those blinds to allow some of that beautiful natural light inside.
Say cheese or slide out of the way please! You are more than welcome to be home during the photo shoot, but there are a few things to know. We shoot with wide-angle lenses. When you stand to the side and think you are out of the shot, most times you are not. We try to shoot with angles that show the layout of the home. This means we could be shooting in one room and showing something clear on the other side of the home. If there is more than one floor, let us shoot one floor while you’re on the other. This goes for pets too. Loose pets can make it very difficult to photograph the home. Oh, don’t forget to hide their food/water bowls too!
Here are a few things that should be a given, but let’s mention them anyways!
Make beds, hide toiletries, remove vehicles from driveways, and if you find a free minute, run the vacuum!
Selling your home can feel like a lot of work, but I assure you the steps above are a necessary part of capturing what makes your home special. Be a team player and it can save you thousands of dollars and days or weeks on the market. Go team!
Learn more about Hoosier Property Media
Website: http://www.hoosierpropertymedia.com