Prepare your home for photographs and videos

When buyers are looking at properties online or in estate agent’s particulars, they make their minds up in seconds.

That’s why having the very best photographs of your home is so important. Get the photos right and it could mean higher offers and a quicker sale. Why? Well, because first impressions count. Now more than ever buyers are also looking for videos and virtual tours of a property to see if they like the look of it before they visit in person.  

The easiest way to get the very best photographs and videos is to invite a professional to come and take them. Your Move can help with a professional photography and video service that’s sure to wow buyers. But even if you have the professionals coming round, there are steps you can take to prepare you home for photographs and really show your property at its best.

Take a look at our Seller Guide to find out more about the process of selling your property. 

Get the outside right

• Choose the time of day when the front of the house is shown in a good natural light
• Try to choose a clear, bright day
• Move any vehicles from the outside of the property
• Remove any clutter from outside the property such as bins and hoses
• Mow the lawn and tidy round the garden including weeding and removing leaves
• Clean the windows

Reception rooms

• Remove scruffy throws from sofas
• Arrange cushions to look smart and tidy
• Set dining room tables
• Remove rugs, especially where you have wooden or tiled floors
• Any children’s toys or piles of magazines, DVDs etc should be out of sight

Set the scene inside

• Moving furniture around may help to make a room look more spacious
• Make sure your home is well lit, and replace any light bulbs that have gone out
• Open all curtains and blinds
• Fresh flowers help to breathe life into a property

Bedrooms

• Make the bed and choose bed clothes that compliment the room
• Anything stored under the bed should be completely out of sight
• All drawers and wardrobe doors should be shut

Kitchen

• Clear all work tops and make sure there are no tea towels or chopping boards on show
• Move bins out of sight
• Clear away appliances
• Close all cupboards
• Hide all fridge magnets
• Clear the sink (no dirty dishes!)
• If you have pets, hide their food bowls and beds
• A full, fresh fruit bowl can add a flash of colour

Bathroom

• Keep the toilet lid down
• Remove clutter like shower gels and tooth brushes
• Close the shower curtain
• Remove toilet paper from its holder
• Any towels should be neatly arranged and folded, and chosen to compliment the room