With Britain’s favourite hobby now seemingly being to trawl the major property portals (we’re talking Zoopla and Rightmove – the virtues, or lack of, of OnTheMarket are a subject best discussed another day) it is surely common sense that your home looks its best. Of course some homes naturally photograph better than others due to size and design but getting the best from every home should be an estate agents priority.
It doesn’t take a giant leap of faith to believe that a buyer’s eyes will linger longer on a beautifully presented and photographed home – and today’s tech-savvy world it isn’t hard to find evidence to support this. So what can be done to ensure your home stands apart from the rest?
- Keep things clear and de-clutter. The clearer the room, the better the sense of space. Ditto shelves, clear shelves suggest room to live- although a few books help the ‘lifestyle sell’.
- Spend a bit of time dressing the property. Put some flowers out to add a splash of colour. Arrange the room around a few feature objects – an unusual item of furniture, a painting or a period feature.
- Tidy the bathroom. Hide the shampoo bottles and toothbrushes. And most important of all, put the toilet seat down.
- Be there when it’s photographed. Don’t be afraid to ask the photographer to help you arrange things or retake a photo if you think it could look better.
- Think about the time of day the photos are taken. Especially when the garden is at its sunniest.
- Perhaps the most important tip is to have a look at the agent’s usual photographs from other properties they’re marketing. If you don’t think they’d do your home justice, just don’t use them.
To find out more about Q’s bespoke marketing packages, which includes free professional photography, call 01273 622664 or email sales@qestateagents.co.uk.