Today, more than 90% of home buyers begin their home search online, typically on a laptop or mobile device. And a big portion of them never look at a home in person till very late in the game. So if you intend to list you home, you absolutely must have photos that will make browsers stop and dig deeper. Here, then, are 6 tips for getting the best listing photos of your Woodland Park house.
1. Get Rid of the Lived-In Look
We all have busy lives, and because of that, house cleaning and tidying up (naturally) often have to take a back seat. But buyers won’t appreciate listing photos that show that lived-in look.
Rooms crowded with furniture and toys and littered with magazines and various knick-knacks actually detract from your home’s features and selling points in listing photos. So before taking listing photos of your Woodland Park, you need to get rid of most of that stuff. Many agents say that you simply can’t do too much when it comes to decluttering.
2. Work on the Outside Too
Many [market-city] sellers, even though they work hard to make the inside of their homes attractive, often neglect the outside. But you should clear away anything that can detract from curb appeal.
It’s imperative, then, to put away and/or get rid of all that stuff that detracts: pet toys, kid toys, garden hoses, trash cans, and so on. And then be sure to mow and do at least some minor landscaping. Do everything you can to make those outdoor living spaces look attractive and inviting in photos.
3. Use the Optimal Day and Time
You also need to make sure you take those listing photos on the right day and at the best time of day. When photographing the exterior of your Woodland Park home, avoid cloudy days and times that will show shadows in photos. A bright blue sky is often best, but twilight/dusk can be a good time too because it can highlight the landscaping and accentuate the home. Also, try to shoot when the sun is shining directly on the front of your home.
4. Get the Best Shot From the Right Spot
Also important for great liting photos is getting shots from the right spots. Obviously, you want to highlight as much of every room you shoot as possible.
The best way to do this is to shoot from a spot where you can get three walls in the photo, usually from a doorway. This will tend to give a room depth. But also consider furniture placement and window location when deciding where to take a shot from. Your goal should be to get photos that make rooms seem bigger and inviting, not narrow and closed in.
5. Avoid Weird Angles/Shots
Similarly, you want to avoid shots from weird angles. Typically, this means keeping your camera right around chest level and shooting straight on. Your aim should be to get photos that show your home as it really is, and that means avoiding low or high angles. In fact, shooting downward from a high angle can make a room seem smaller, thus reducing its buyer appeal.
6. Put Yourself in the Buyer’s Shoes
Finally, one of the best tips you can get for taking great listing photos of your Woodland Park home is to first put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. Try to look at everything from a buyer’s perspective and think about what would appeal most to that buyer.
Many professional photographers tour a home, getting a feel for it and its best features, before ever thinking about taking photos. When you put on your buyers’ shoes, assess each and every room. And always keep in mind that you are not taking photos of your house – rather, you are photographing a prospective buyer’s home.
Talk to Your Local Woodland Park Agent
Your local real estate agent can also be a wealth of tips for getting the best listing photos of your Woodland Park house. Remember that the needs and wants of buyers vary from local market to the local market, but your agent will know what works best in your area. Find out today how our qualified agents can help. Give us a call at 719-480-8638!