Get Ready!

No matter what your house is worth, it’s possible to make it look like 10 million bucks. But first, to prepare properly for listing photos, all of that extra stuff you have lying around has got to go.

Buyers want and need to see the full potential of your house to picture themselves in it, but that can be difficult to do when it is covered up in your things—no matter how important they may be to you.

Start with the kitchen and take everything off the counters. That includes your toaster, microwave, blender—any kitchen appliances, utensils, towels, oils, etc. need to find another home. If you have the space, you can neatly organize them in your kitchen cabinets or pantry. Then, scrub down every kitchen surface possible. That includes any rust that’s shown up over the years, burned substances that make your stovetop look speckled instead of white, and of course, the kitchen floor.

After completing your work in the kitchen, tackle the living room. Remove anything besides furniture and table lamps. Clear shoe racks in the living room or entry way, take down jackets and hats off of any coat racks, and hide pet beds. Then, clean every inch of the space, making sure to vacuum once you give the room a solid scrub.

Now, do the same for every other room. Take away everything besides large pieces of furniture and light fixtures. That means all toiletries in the bathroom need to find a different home.

If you still live in the home and need to access things like shampoo, your blender, etc., Local Windermere agent Angela Brook has a clever solution for organizing it. First box it all up and label the boxes so that they are easily accessible. Then, stack the boxes in your garage where your car would normally go. This allows the natural flow of the house to stay intact, and visitors can still walk around the boxes to see the rest of the space.

If you have excess items that you no longer need or want, now is a great time to sell or donate them. It will make your move easier and will leave your closets more available for items you  need  to store during showings.  It will also make the home much easier to stage.

Now that you’ve cleaned and decluttered the house, you’ll either need to stage it yourself or bring in a professional staging company. Un-staged homes do not photograph well, and according to our research, staged homes can fetch an offer 1-5% higher from buyers.

To make your house feel professionally staged, you’ll use objects and pops of color to create small “vignettes” in each room. These vignettes suggest how the room might be used. For example, if you have a set of outdoor tables and chairs, put two wine glasses and a bottle of wine on the table. Other popular staging choices include: a bowl of fruit on the dining table, bright pillows on the couch, or new white towels hanging in the bathroom.

Check out our tips for home staging for more guidance.

If you decide to take your listing photos yourself, then you need to make sure they look professional. There’s a huge difference between professional listing photos and amateur ones, and buyers will be able to tell. Plus, the professional photos will make your house look amazing online. 

Need help selling (or buying) your home?

Listing a home for sale can be a daunting task to take on and there are many benefits in hiring a licensed agent. A licensed agent will have extensive networks and knowledge of the current local market, as well as access to marketing strategies, such as MLS, that are not available to the general public. 

Real Estate Photography of Coeur d'Alene is owned by local REALTOR® Caitlin Santiago of Windermere/Coeur d'Alene Realty. If you are not already working with an agent, I would love to help you achieve your real estate and financial goals!