Once you decide to put your home on the market, hopefully with The Trisha Cook Team, it is time to stage your home and get it prepared for photographs. Photographs are usually done as soon as you choose your Realtor.

Side note: These days, I do hope you don’t settle for a listing agent who takes his/her own photographs.  I have spent thousands of dollars on cameras and lenses over the years and nothing has ever compared to the brilliant photography of the professional that I hire for my listings.  HDR photography is the way to go; Stitching together multiple shots to ensure that every picture has the best possible angle and the best lighting possible. 

Ok, back to the point of this post now!

Here are a few good tips to have your home ready to photographs:

Interior:

• Less is Best.  Please remove all clutter!

• Replace all blown light bulbs, in both lamps and overhead lighting

• Place garbage cans out of sight.

• Your kitchen sink (and all sinks for that matter) should be empty.  Hide sponges, drying racks, scrubbers, towels, etc.

• Remove all magnets and photos off of the refrigerator.

• Remove all items from on top of the refrigerator as well.

• Remove the majority of countertop appliances in your kitchen & wipe down your countertops.

• Minimize, or completely remove, all personal photos in frames on table tops

• Hide dog/cat bowls, crates, and beds

• remove tissue boxes.

• Hang only decorative bathroom towels, neatly.

• Remove toothbrushes, razors, shampoo/conditioner, soaps, make-up, perfume, and any other personal items from countertops, tubs, showers, floor, etc.

• Put your toilet seats DOWN (for showings too).

• Clean off nightstands, end tables, and coffee tables.

• All toys should be minimized and organized neatly.  Nothing should be on the floor or under beds unless in storage bins & out of sight.

• Wires and cords should be hidden, if possible.

• Ceiling Fans should be dusted and off for pictures.

• Remove paperwork from desks, and dust the furniture.

• Beds should be made, and use a bed skirt if possible.

• Open all blinds and turn on lights for the photographer.

Exterior:

• Lawn mowed, edged, and blown off

• Leaves raked and bushes trimmed

• House clean and freshly pressure washed if possible.  Also, freshly painted shutters & doors make a home look great!

• If possible, seasonal flowers can add a gorgeous pop of color!

• Remove all cars from the driveway and front of the house. Close garage doors & gates

• Hoses rolled up nice and neatly

• Exterior garbage cans out of view for exterior front shots.

• Security Yard Signs and for sale signs temporarily removed

• Remove anything that looks seasonal, such as Christmas wreaths, pumpkins, etc.

If you haven’t already chosen a Realtor to sell your home in the Greater Savannah, GA area I would love the opportunity to earn your business.  Please give me a call.  912-844-8662, or you can reach me at trishacookrealtor@gmail.com.

Find out what your home is worth here!

**Big Thank you to Amy Greene, at Creative Images Real Estate Photography, for helping me comprise this awesome list of helpful hints.  Amy is the best!