Editor's note: Putting your home on the market is no small decision. And listing before you're really ready can hurt your chances of selling your home for its full worth. This week we're giving you a headstart on prime selling season with plenty of tips and advice for preparing your home to hit the market ready for a successful sale.
Let’s face it, buyers form their first impression of your home based on the online listing. As they say, Web appeal is the new curb appeal.
If you are serious about selling your home, you have to take your listing photo shoot very seriously. If your photos don't excite buyers, they may not step foot inside.
You should prepare for your photo shoot as much as you would for an open house or private showing. Work alongside an excellent local real estate agent, and follow these tips to make sure your home looks its best.
Never list your home online without photos
Today's buyers get email and text alerts when a new home that matches their criteria hits the market. There is nothing more frustrating than to see the desired address come across as an alert, only for the listing to be incomplete.
Buyers (and agents) will punish you for jumping the gun. Will they go back later and look again, once you have the photos up? Maybe - but maybe not.
You’re adding an extra step for them, and it comes across like you don't have your ducks in a row. That’s not a great way to start out with your future customer.
Clean, declutter, organize and remove
You should spend a good amount of time preparing for your photo shoot. This means that you fluff the pillows, put toilet seats down, put Fido’s bowl and toys away, and ensure the home is in impeccable condition.
People can zoom in, zoom out and play with photos in online listings. They’ll notice everything. If your photos don’t show your home well, it sends a message to the buyer that you don’t care, and that you are not a serious seller.
The buyer is your customer. You have a product for sale. Take the time to present it in the best possible light.
Poor photos won't cut it
Images that are blurry, poorly lit, or distorted are not going to sell your home.
It’s a good idea to hire a professional photographer who will take high-resolution photos, and even bring extra lighting or equipment to enhance their work. They’ll also take dozens of pictures and work tirelessly to show your home in the right light and from the best angles.
Don't skimp on the number of photos
When it comes to photos, the more, the merrier. You want to make it easy on buyers to get comfortable with and learn more about your home.
Not only are the listing photos their initial impression, but they serve to help orient the buyer after the first or second showing. Once they have been through the home in person, they are better able to relate to the floor plan and how it flows. Going back to the listing photos allows them to make connections and dig deeper. Encourage them to do so by posting plenty of photos.
Ready to put your home on the market? Check out our Home Sellers Guide for more tips and resources.
Related:
- Ready, Set, Sell: 3 Strategies for Getting Your Home Off the Market Fast
- What to Do If Your Home Isn’t Selling
- 5 Surprising Home Buyer Incentives
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.
Originally published February 2, 2016.
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