How do Realtors and Sellers Prepare a Home for Real Estate Photography?

July 7, 2021

When preparing to market a listing, real estate photography is a crucial step in communicating the value. Ensuring that you properly prepare a home for photography should be easier than you might think! So, how do you prepare for a successful photoshoot? Here is a breakdown of the best ways to prepare for real estate photography as the listing agent and as the homeowner.

Prepping as the Listing Agent:

As the real estate agent behind the listing, the success of the photoshoot is in your hands. Here are a few easy steps to ensure that it runs smoothly every time:

Step one: Evaluate any updates needed.

Does the living room need a fresh coat of paint? Could landscaping use a refresh to increase curb appeal? No matter the update or size of renovation, this should be the first thing covered before photography. Not only will this prevent any landscapers who ran late from appearing in the photos, it will also ensure that the listing looks its absolute best before the photography that will showcase it.

Step two: Schedule the appointment a few days in advance.

While professional photographers like TruPlace might be able to accommodate next-day or even same-day appointments, it is best to get ahead of the game. Set up your appointment with enough notice to give the homeowners time to tidy up and prepare the home. Real estate photography appointments can be scheduled online or over the phone for added flexibility, so no need to wait until business hours and let it slip your mind.

Step three: Review and share the photo ready checklist.

This is a free preparation guide available to give to your homeowners as a detailed list of to-dos. While it may seem obvious that clutter should be put away before photography, most people do not consider that kitchen towels may look disorganized in photos or pet beds can tone down the perceived value of a listing.

Step four: Follow up!

Make sure you stop by the listing prior to photoshoot or at the appointment so that there are no surprises when you receive the end results. The last thing you want is beautiful photography with last minute “creative” staging by the homeowners.

Prepping as the Homeowner:

As the homeowner, you want to make sure your home looks the best possible to bring in the maximum offer price. These few steps can help:

Step 1: De-clutter and de-personalize.

Too many items can make the room look smaller in photos. Put non-decorative items away so that everything looks neat and orderly. While personalized items have sentimental value to you, it does not make it easier for the potential buyers to envision their lives in the house. Any personalized items with children’s names or photos should also be removed for privacy since these photos will be posted online along with your address.

Step 2: Follow the checklist.

The photo-ready checklist supplied by your real estate agent will provide a room-by-room breakdown on the best ways to prepare your listing. Follow this proven recipe for success is the easiest way to ensure that you have everything covered before your real estate photography appointment.

Preparing to sell a listing can be a stressful process, but real estate photography does not have to be. Tag TruPlace on social media and let us know how these tips worked for you!