Staging Your Home for the Photographer or Showings

 

Henry David Thoreau said, “Simplify, simplify.”  I always wondered, if he was serious, why didn’t he just say it once?  But, “simplify” is the idea to keep in mind when preparing your home for the photographer’s arrival.  Remember that a prospective buyer doesn’t want to feel like a guest in YOUR home. You want them to take mental possession- to picture it as THEIR home.

 

These tips can be employed anytime you have a showing scheduled, but ESPECIALLY on the day the pictures are being taken.  Think of it as sending your 10 year old off to have his school pictures taken.  You know his hair is going to get messed up again, he’s going to drop pudding on the front of his shirt, and he may even lose a shoe, but he’ll look his best for the photo

 

 Outside:

• Remove all vehicles from the driveway.

• Remove trash cans, gardening tools, hoses, etc.

• Stow children's and pet's toys

• Remove leaves from the yard, porch, patio, and deck.  Same for snow.

• Open patio umbrellas and set out cushions

• Consider filling the bird feeders and bird bath in the Spring and Summer.  It’s a nice touch.

• Ask a neighbor to take care of the dog.  Your dog may be friendly, but they can get very protective when they’re in the house with a stranger.  Believe me; I’m speaking from personal experience!

• Do not schedule your shoot on trash day, gardener day, cleaning day, etc.

• Many sellers store extra stuff in the garage or basement.  Consider renting a short term storage area.  Buyers want to picture THEIR stuff in the garage.

• Consider asking a friend to store an extra vehicle that’s taking up garage space.

  

Inside:

 

• Remove as many personal items as possible.  Pack the family photos and mementos.  Remember, the potential buyers are trying to imagine THEIR family in the home.

• Turn on all lights; fans off

• Replace all burned out bulbs, especially those non-typical bulbs.  Keep a supply of spare bulbs on hand until the house sells.  

• Put pet cages in the garage or basement.  remove all signs of pets (bowls, rugs, pillows, etc)

• Valuables and Medications out of sight (preferably, locked up)

• Open window coverings (unless they are concealing a less than desirable view) or remove them entirely; rooms are larger when the eye can extend out to the view

• Televisions off

• Toilet lids down

• Conceal garbage containers

• Remove EVERYTHING from the refrigerator. (The outside, I mean: pictures, kid’s art, magnets, etc.) It’s OK to leave a Diet Pepsi inside for the photographer!

• Clear the top of the refrigerator. A small plant or decorative item is fine.

• Clear kitchen countertops.  Leave only one or two small appliances.  Buyers LOVE counterpace.

• Clear the bathroom countertops.  Leave only a few decorative items or a small floral or plant arrangement. 

• Put clean towels over bare towel racks.

• Empty the shower of shampoos, etc. Nothing on the edge of the tub.

• Declutter fireplace mantel. 

• Fresh Flowers are great!  Quality silk or other artificial flowers and plants are fine.  Use them liberally.

 

Don’t be offended if the photographer (that’s me) moves a few items.  The camera sees things differently than the human eye does.

 

The closets are generally not photographed, unless they are large, walk-in closets.  But, packing up seasonal clothes will make closets look more spacious.  Same concept applies to books on bookshelves, toys in the children’s rooms, kitchen items (we all have tons we don’t use often), etc.

 

Click Here for a printable PDF copy of these tips