Preparing the property for photography

PREPARING YOUR PROPERTY FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND BUYER VIEWINGS

The internet is usually the first place where potential buyers encounter your property. Most buyers begin their search for a house or apartment on real estate websites, which is why it is extremely important to do everything possible to ensure that the first impression of your property is the best it can be. Follow these recommendations to prepare your home and achieve the highest-quality photographs possible.

When selling a car, you thoroughly clean, polish, and prepare it before taking photographs or meeting potential buyers so that it is presented in the best possible light, helping you sell it faster and at a better price. Now imagine how important it is to prepare a property in the same way if you want to sell it quickly and achieve the highest possible sale price.

Selling your property is similar to selling any other product. In addition to emotionally and mentally detaching yourself from the property, it is important to prepare the property as a product intended for the market. While your lifestyle, furniture, and personal habits may work perfectly for you, buyers often have completely different needs and preferences. Furthermore, the process of viewing and selecting a property requires a greater degree of adaptation on the seller’s part.

For this reason, it is essential to prepare your property and transform it from a personal living space into a presentation suitable for sale.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Ideally, move out of the property if possible (buyers often feel uncomfortable viewing a home that is actively occupied).

• Ideally, remove large and bulky pieces of furniture (they reduce the perceived size of the space and block natural light).

• Remove all excess items that are not used on a daily basis (the goal is to create an open and airy feel).

• Thoroughly clean the entire property and surrounding grounds, especially the kitchen and bathrooms. All countertops and surfaces in the kitchen, dining area, and bathrooms should be clear.

• Make a list of all minor defects and items requiring repair (moisture issues, mould, leaks, installations, faulty components, etc.).

IMPORTANT SUGGESTION

• When the agent arrives with prospective buyers, allow the agent to conduct the viewing and guide prospective buyers through the property. The property should be maintained in the same clean and tidy condition as it was for the photography session.

BASIC PREPARATION

• Clean the entire apartment or house (vacuum carpets, wash floors and windows, clean and wipe all surfaces, and remove unnecessary items from countertops and work surfaces).

• Turn on all lights in the property (replace any faulty bulbs and avoid using fluorescent lighting).

• Turn off all televisions and computer monitors.

• Open all curtains and raise blinds or shutters to allow as much natural light as possible into the property (do not open windows).

•  Make all beds and tidy all sofas and seating areas.

• If the flooring is attractive, remove all small rugs, including bathroom mats.

• Store all shoes and clothing neatly in wardrobes and closets.

EXTERIOR / GARDEN AREA (HOUSE SALES)

• Close garage doors and remove vehicles from in front of the house.

• Tidy the grounds (clean driveways, mow the lawn, trim shrubs and hedges, remove leaves).

• Remove empty planters and garden hoses.

• Remove cobwebs and visible dirt from all doors and door frames.

• Put away toys, sports equipment, and other items from the lawn and garden.

• Clean terraces, outdoor tables, and chairs (wash or clean seat cushions and pillows).

• Empty rubbish bins (ideally store them in the garage or a storage area).

• In short, remove anything that may distract attention from the garden, outdoor living areas, and spaces intended for relaxation.

BALCONY / TERRACE / LOGGIA

• • • Clean the terrace, tables, and chairs (wash or clean seat cushions and pillows).

    • Remove cobwebs and visible dirt from doors, frames, and railings.

    • Add flower pots and/or decorative greenery.

    • Remove clotheslines and drying racks.

    • In short, remove anything that may distract attention from the space.

KITCHEN

• • • The kitchen is often the focal point of a home, so pay special attention when preparing it.

    • Completely clear and clean all kitchen countertops (remove utensils, appliances, and accessories).

    • Remove small kitchen appliances (at most, leave one visible item, such as a coffee machine or toaster).

    • Remove or clean off all stickers, magnets, papers, and photographs from the refrigerator and cabinets.

    • Empty the rubbish bin and store it in a cupboard or utility room.

    • Remove all dishes from the sink and store them in cabinets.

    • If you have glass-front display cabinets, organise the contents and remove unnecessary items.

DINING ROOM

• • • Clear the dining table of all items and dust; polish the surface if necessary.

    • Consider setting the table for an elegant dinner presentation or placing a vase of colourful flowers as a decorative feature.

    • Align the table and chairs neatly and remove children's high chairs from view.

    • Clean any chandelier or light fixture positioned above the table if it will appear in photographs.

LIVING ROOM

• • • Remove newspapers, magazines, paperwork, mail, and similar items.

    • If you have a fireplace, clear the area around it and clean it thoroughly inside and out (inside cleaning applies to open fireplaces).

    • Arrange cushions and backrests neatly on sofas and seating furniture.

    • Remove all toys from the room.

    • Remove bulky or visually distracting items.

    • Remove excess belongings from shelves and display units and store them out of sight.

BEDROOMS / CHILDREN'S ROOMS

• • • Make all beds, including decorative cushions and throws.

    • Use fresh bed linen and bedspreads in neutral, unobtrusive colours.

    • Remove all items from bedside tables and store them in drawers or wardrobes.

    • Unplug chargers and electronic accessories and store them away.

    • Clear the tops of dressers and remove excess items from shelves.

    • Remove all personal photographs from the room.

    • In children's rooms, tidy away toys and unnecessary items so they are not visible.

    • Remove posters, decals and stickers from walls and furniture.

    • Clear and clean under beds and remove anything from floors that may appear in photographs.

BATHROOM

• • • Clear and clean all surfaces (remove soap, toothbrushes, cosmetics, medications, etc.).

    • Lower the toilet seat.

    • Close all cabinet and cupboard doors.

    • Remove shampoos, soaps, and toiletries from showers and bathtubs.

    • Remove used towels and replace them with neatly folded clean towels.

    • Remove bathroom floor mats.

    • Thoroughly clean floors, tiles, and mirrors to eliminate water marks, cleaning residue, and dirt.

PETS

• • • We love pets, but their presence in photographs and during viewings should be kept to a minimum.

    • Put away all food and water bowls.

    • Store pet beds out of sight.

    • Remove pet hair throughout the property.

  • Clear away all pet toys and any pet-related items from both the interior and exterior areas.

NEED ASSISTANCE?
If you are unable to prepare your property yourself, please consult one of our agents. We can recommend trusted professional partners who can prepare your property to the highest presentation standards. Available services range from professional cleaning and property staging, through minor repairs and maintenance works, to small-scale renovations and refurbishment projects.