A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
I also believe that you only have one chance to make a first impression. So when it comes to putting your house up for sale make sure your pictures are worth a thousand good words! A picture in real estate may even be worth thousands of dollars!
This brings me to one of the first tips I give my buyers, "Never rule in a house because it has good pictures and never rule out a house because it has bad ones." Some agents take really great photos and trick people into thinking the house looks great. And some agents couldn't take a good picture of the White House.
Many times when I need a good laugh I go to the store and go to the card section and spend some time there laughing at some of them. Then other times I just go to my local MLS and look at some of the photos there! I am appalled that people actually put some of those pictures in there! I would love to show you a few but I'd probably get in some trouble!
The National Association of Realtors conducted a survey and reported that more than 80% of home buyers searched online for their home and almost 25% of those people actually purchased the home they first viewed online! So here are a few good tips to help make your house look great for pictures and showings...
- Clear kitchen and bathroom counters of excess "stuff."
- Take off items on the refrigerator such as magnets photos and calendars.
- Put garbage cans out of sight, not in the front of the house.
- Keep hoses reeled up.
- Keep kids bikes, toys, skateboards, etc. out of the walkways and driveway.
- Maintain the yard, keep the grass green, the flowers colored and the weeds away.
- Keep swimming pools blue.
- Make your beds.
- Keep laundry rooms clear of clothing and junk.
- Put excess furniture and belongings items in storage.
- Touch up paint or clean carpets if necessary.
The more pictures that your agent can take of your home the better chance you have at making that great first impression. People want to see the living room, the kitchen, the bathrooms, the bedrooms, the backyard and yes, even the garage! More is better when it comes to pictures.
Ask your agent to see the photos before they go live online. If they aren't taking photos of your property don't hire them! If your house just has too much "stuff" get rid of it and have your agent come back to get some more shots of the house. You can even hire a professional photographer. I sometimes refer a local photographer to agents in my office that don't have a good camera or don't have the "eye" for photography. Hire a great photographer like Taberah Spiers Photography.
You can see what homes are worth in your neighborhood by searching online now!
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