Estate agents photos - preparation

[OfUselessBooks]

Hi, we are putting our house on the market very soon and the estate agent is coming on Monday to take photographs.

Does anyone have any tips on how to make it look nice? We have massively decluttered, cleaned/painted walls, painted fence, cleaned windows and mown grass. We will put everything away that we can and we have even got rid of some excess furniture. Does anyone have any more tips? We do have one really awfully decorated bedroom but it's too big a job to repaint at the moment. Thank you.

You still have time to paint the worst room if you think it is that bad. Don't worry about the picture as if it is that bad it won't get used. But do consider the viewing and how buyers will consider the job? Does the lack of care apply to the rest of the house? Do they want to be able to move in without a large list of actions?
Would painting one large wall be enough? Ask your estate agent if it is worth doing or not.

I've just sold my flat and DP's is on the market for viewings now. No clutter or excess furniture is good but I was nervous about it looking cold and empty because we got rid of so much (the bathroom actually echoed). To make it more homely, we put vases with bright flowers in a few rooms and it gives the place a nice fresh and airy feel. Also definitely new clean and well ironed bedding and towels.

We've also just had an offer accepted on a house. This is one that also applies to viewings but the thing that made it so appealing was a fresh smell and loads of light the minute we walked in to the hall. They had big clean unobstructed windows (blinds open at a suitable angle and curtains pulled back) and lots of lovely fresh scents throughout. Not sure if it was zoflora or diffusers or plug in air fresheners but together with the light the house looked and felt impeccable.

Both our photographers were amazing and made the flats look great. They'll know what lights to put on, what angles to use and will make your property shine! Lots of luck! It's so stressful but they'll do a good job.

When they come round to do the pictures, make sure you put away toiletries in the bathroom, have really neat towels.
Make your bed as if it was a hotel bed.no creases.
Neaten everything up in the whole house.
One think I always notice when looking at house pictures is if it's not neat.
I don't know why but I always think if the person can't make an effort for the pictures then what else don't they make an effort on.
Also for external shots, move cars off the drive, put bins out of the shot.
Good luck with selling.

Run around and snap some pics on your phone. Things you don’t notice in real life because you’re used to them are somehow more obvious in photos.

@GemmeFatale

Run around and snap some pics on your phone. Things you don’t notice in real life because you’re used to them are somehow more obvious in photos.

Definitely this. You accept dangling charging cables and extension leads and don't "see" them. If you have stuffed things behind the sofa, a photo might still reveal them. Beware of over decluttering as it can make a house seem soulless. Have a token personal item in each shot, but something neutral like a vase or a coffee table book. My pet peeve is wonky curtains and blinds.

We've just sold our first home, I was really nervous about the pictures and showing it but it actually went really well and we sold in 3 days! The photographer emailed a list of instructions beforehand which seemed a bit OTT but did help (though I didnt do them all because who has time for that with 3 young children?!)

Will try to attach the screenshots of the info I was sent to give you a guide.

Final one I couldn't attach

I'd recommend putting all the lights on, and lighting a fire if you have one.

Also put the toilet seat down.

For viewings I got an electric Yankee candle so I could leave it on when I went out without worrying.

Good luck :)

My friend's photos looked as though she had a dead animal under her bed - she'd missed her dog's toy :)

Thanks for this thread @OfUselessBooks! We are getting ready to do the same. Photographer coming week after next.

Thanks for that list @PeachandBee - very useful. I’ll note all that down.

I had an amazing photographer who did the photos for the last house I sold. He took out all small clutter or plastic items (dish drainer, basin, bins etc) He unplugged everything so no wires were showing. It was all about the space and the light.

Thank you so much everyone - some fantastic lists! It's hard trying to declutter when you have two small children making a mess as soon as your back is turned...but we are getting there. Definitely some things I wouldn't have thought of. Good luck @Peridot1 too... the last two houses on our street sold in a matter of days so I'm hoping we do the same!

The previous advice is good on staging and take some pictures of your own first so you can see what's looks odd. For example we had a dark crowded bookshelf which was like a black hole in the lounge. I took out half the books, leaving only light coloured ones, and put in a couple of cheap white ornaments from Asda. If your home is basically in good condition, make it sell itself in the photos. People actually notice less in viewings.

Don't fall for the same mistake I made. I was just finishing a cup of tea when the agent came round to take photos. I popped my cup in the sink, stood in the doorway (only photo taking location) and thought "marvellous - I can get away without washing that up for now - you can't see it from here". Only problem was the photographer was about 4 inches taller than me and from his perspective you could see it!

Wires are my big bugbear - hide as many of them as you can. I was nosing at local properties to me today and there's a £1m house with a lounge tv with all the wires hanging over the edge of the cabinet!

You've had lots of good advice here OP - I hope your house sells as quick as your neighbours and that you find something you like just as quick!

Thank you everyone - we followed all of the tips. Our house looks beautiful! Waiting for the photos and video to come through now.