Much easier than preparing for open house each weekend, the virtual tour takes one appointment and can then be displayed for all to see. Taking the time to prepare for this photo shoot will certainly show well in the finished product. Some areas to concentrate on are:
- Lawn & Yard - Cut grass, edge walks, trim hedges, weed and mulch garden areas
- Clean - The most important item! A clean home will photograph & show better.
- Halls & Stairs – Remove any clutter so they appear larger
- Kitchen – Appliances and sink should be spotless, counters free of clutter
- Bathrooms – Neat & spotless
- Deck – Clear of debris and clutter, have furniture arranged in a welcoming manner
- Exterior – Check to ensure all doors, steps, windows and screens are in good condition
- Roof – Replace any broken or damaged shingles
- Pets – Please contain pets so as not to interfere with photographer or get in any photos.
- Lights - Make sure ALL lights & lamps have working bulbs
- Trash Day - Don't schedule your tour on trash day - even if you put away your trash can, not all of the neighbors will.
According to Lori Matzke, owner of Center Stage Home, a home presentation company based in Minneapolis, Minn., there are four main areas of the home sellers should focus on. The first is the foyer or entry way. “That is your first impression of the house. Anything visible from this standpoint needs to look great,” Matzke says. “If you don’t impress them immediately it will be an uphill battle from then on to regain their interest.” The family/living room, kitchen, and master bedroom are the three other crucial areas. Creating good flow is the key to showcasing these areas. “Buyers want to move easily from one room to the next,” she says. But at the same time, they need direction. “It’s important to assign each room a purpose- a commonplace purpose,” she says. “Even though you may use your formal dining room as your office, you must show the dining room with its intended purpose.”
An area where you can get a lot of bang for your buck is the exterior. Fresh paint on the door, swept driveway, mowed lawn and seasonal flowers can go a long way in welcoming the potential buyer.
Although you do not need to depersonalize your home, minimizing clutter and packing up some of your personal belongings may allow the buyer to envision themselves living in the house.
Remember, you are selling the house, not your personal style. The objective is not to improve the appearance of your home to your liking, but rather improve it to sell.
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