PREPPING YOUR HOME TO SELL
TIPS & TRICKS - LOS ANGELES EDITION
More than 90% of buyers will look for listings online. Often, the first thing buyers see about homes are the photos online. Therefore, it is very important that the pictures you put out of your home are catchy and stand out among many other listings. As a realtor, I will usually go to my client's home a couple of days before the photoshoot and will assist them to get it ready. On the day of the shoot, I assist the photographer to make sure we get the best pictures possible and increase my client’s chances to sell faster. I’ve gathered some tips below on how to prepare your home best for the photoshoot.
ALL AREAS
Thoroughly clean the whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean countertops, clean windows)
On the day of the photoshoot, turn all overhead lights and lamps ON
- Replace all burned-out light bulbs
- Use bulbs of the same temperature (ALL incandescent or ALL compact fluorescent)Turn all ceiling fans OFF
Turn all TVs OFF
Turn all computer screens OFF
Open blinds/window treatments to let in outside light
Remove personal photographs (or replace with general landscape/object photographs)
Make all beds
Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring
Place all shoes/jackets in closets
2. FRONT EXTERIOR
Close garage doors
Remove cars from driveway and front of the home
Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)
Remove empty planters
Use a broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames
Remove visible water hoses
Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.
3. THE BACK YARD
Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/pillows/cushions should be fresh, not faded
Clear out kid's toys, balls, frisbees, etc.
Clean pool
Remove pool vacuum/cleaner hose
Hide pool cleaning supplies
Turn on pool fountains/water features
Remove visible water hoses
Remove trash cans.
4. THE KITCHEN
Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.
Leave out a max of one small appliance (ex. coffee maker) - Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
Remove dishes from the sink, place in dishwasher
5. THE DINNING ROOM\TABLE
ALLOW BUYERS TO IMAGINE A NICE FAMILY MEAL
Clear table, dust, and polish the tabletop
Use decorative place setting if available
Feature one centerpiece such as a bouquet
Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
Remove child seats/booster chairs
6. LIVING ROOM / FAMILY ROOM
Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.
De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than 5 items, including art)
Clean the interior of your fireplace and re-paint if neededFluff and arrange furniture pillows
Remove kid's toys
7. BEDROOMS
MASTER BEDROOM
Make the bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available
Press bed linens and bed skirts
Clear nightstands of all personal items
Store away phone/tablet charging cables - Remove all clutter from top of dressers
Remove family photos from walls
Clean under the bed, removing items that may show in the photos
KID/GUEST BEDROOM
Remove personalized names from walls
Remove wall stickers/posters
Remove diaper genies
Clean under the bed, removing items that may show in the photos
8. BATHROOMS
TO BE SPA-LIKE, THE BATHROOM MUST BE CLEAR OF ALL PERSONAL ITEMS
Clear countertops completely
No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc…
Put toilet seats down
Close closet doors
Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs
Remove dirty towels - leave out only new, unused towels
Remove floor mats
9. PETS
Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet
Place pet beds/toys in pantry or closet
Use a lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair
Contain pets in a hidden crate or outside
Clear back yard of pet waste/toys
