For most people your house represents your largest investment.  When you hire a real estate professional to help you maximize your investment, they will have the best advice to sell your home and remember you do this once in a while they do this everyday.

A full time professional agent should hire a professional photographer.  This is your chance to put your house above the rest. Most buyers are looking for their next house online, make sure your house grabs their attention first, you only have about fifteen seconds to do that.

Below are some tip to make your house stand out above the rest.  In addition to these tips try googling “staging your house for a professional photo shoot” there is an amazing amount of information to help you. A few hours spent getting ready to make a great first impression does pay off, with less effort.

It is often said that in real estate there are three important words.  “Location, Location, Location.”

You can’t do anything about location, but there are 6 more very important words.

DE-CLUTTER, DE-CLUTTER, DE- CLUTTER 

and 

CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN.

IN THIS MARKET NOBODY IS GOING TO PAY TOP DOLLAR FOR A CLUTTERED DIRTY HOUSE.

General Tips

• Vacuum all carpet and remove all area rugs.
• Mop all hardwood and tile flooring and clean baseboards.
• Clean all glass, screens and blinds.
• Clean counter tops off and shine cabinets.
• Turn all lights ON.
• Turn all fans OFF
• Turn all TV’s and computers OFF.
• OPEN all blinds and window treatments.
• Remove all small area rugs.
• Remove all signs, posters off walls and ceilings. 
• Remove all objectionable objects.

BE POLITICALLY CORRECT!

EXTERIOR

• Close all doors including garage doors.
• No car in driveway or directly in front of house.
• Remove all cobb webs, dust, dirt, leaves, grass clippings.
• Cut and trim grass.
• Power wash siding and front door.
• Put water hoses away.
• Remove all trash and lawn waste cans.
• Remove toy’s, balls, tools and other clutter from yard.
• Set up any lawn furniture like it is being used.
• Remove pet bowls and beds.

KITCHEN

• Clear kitchen counter tops.  No small appliances, food, canisters, or utensils.
• Remove garbage cans.
• Remove anything from sink including soap.
• Clear outside of refrigerator.
• Remove mail, magazines, and newspapers.
• Remove pet bowls and beds.

Dining Room

• Clear table.
• Straighten chairs.
• Remove baby seat and booster chairs.
• Use center piece.
• Use place settings
• Dining room should be clear of anything except furniture.

Living / Family Room

• De clutter
• Clear fireplace mantle and hearth except home decor items.
• Clear end tables and coffee tables
• Remove remotes, toys, shoes, clothing or anything else that could be distracting.
• Clean fireplace and paint if necessary.

Bedrooms

• Make beds.
• Arrange pillows.
• Iron bedspread if needed.
• Clear night stands and dressers.
• Don’t put anything under beds that will show in photos.
• Remove decorative names.

Bath Rooms

• Clean and clear counter tops completely.
• Put toilet seat down.
• Close closet doors.
• Remove dirty towels.
• Remove floor mats.
• Remove soap, shampoo, conditioner or anything else from shower / bathtub.

Everyone may not have to follow every tip above, just remember you are putting your house on the market and that begins with a photo shoot. This will make a difference and you will be ready to make a great first impression.

Anonymous professional

They did not want me to use their name!

Mark Lamartina

Photography

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