LEN WORTHINGTON’S REAL ESTATE TIPS
preparing for photography “PROFIT FROM MY KNOWLEDGE” A checklist and tips to provide some assistance in preparing your property for great photos. This will help to make the marketing as good as it can possibly be, in order to attract plenty of good buyer interest!
LEN WORTHINGTON
REAL ESTATE Selling the area’s finest homes! 0402 297 355
|
www.lenworthingtonrealestate.com.au |
lenworthington@remax.com.au
INTRODUCTION Dear Valued Client, Selling your property is all about presentation and buyer perception. When pictures say a thousand words you want them all to speak positively. Well presented suggests well maintained. To get the most out of your photo shoot with us, I recommend following a few easy tips to prepare your home before the photographer and I arrive. By doing so, you will ensure your home is presented in its best light, increasing the likelihood of it being sold quickly for a premium price. I look forward in working with you over the coming weeks in finding that right buyer for your property, who becomes emotionally connected to your home and can see themselves enjoying life in the home as much as you have. I hope that this checklist will provide some assistance for you in preparing your property for great photos, and helping to make the marketing as good as it can possibly be to attract plenty of good buyer interest! Regards,
Len Worthington Mobile: 0402 297 355 Email: lenworthington@remax.com.au
PS - You can contact me with any questions at any time!
www.facebook.com/lenworthingtonrealestate
Copyright 2016 Len Worthington If you see any inaccuracies in this publication please email Len at: lenworthington@remax.com.au
Page 2 - Preparing for Photography
LEN WORTHINGTON
REAL ESTATE Selling the area’s finest homes! 0402 297 355
|
www.lenworthingtonrealestate.com.au |
lenworthington@remax.com.au
GENERAL TIPS TO HELP YOU PREPARE Declutter and depersonalise throughout, removing personal items such as personal or family photographs. Replace old light globes and keep spares handy for all lights. This includes globes for lighting on the exterior & interior walls, ceilings, pool, lamps, oven & rangehood. Clean windows & blinds and check they open properly. Wipe away marks on walls, cupboards and light switches. Hide electrical cables, put away pet bowls & dog beds etc. For dusk photography, make sure all lights indoors and outdoors are working.
Just before the photographer arrives, please fully open all curtains and blinds. Turn on all lights inside & out. This includes lamps, your pool light and the range hood. Please also remove all pets, put away pool cleaning equipment & remove any washing off the line. This ensures our time with the photographer is utilised to it’s maximum potential.
Page 3 - Preparing for Photography
LEN WORTHINGTON
REAL ESTATE Selling the area’s finest homes! 0402 297 355
|
www.lenworthingtonrealestate.com.au |
lenworthington@remax.com.au
PREPARING LIVING AREAS Turn off TV. Declutter shelves and surfaces. Ensure books, DVDs and CDs are arranged neatly. Remove TV remotes, magazines, newspapers, tissue boxes. Remove lounge covers (unless there is visible damage beneath). Remove exercise equipment, loose children’s toys & pedestal fans. Remove personal items such as family photos, birthday cards and Xmas decorations.
PREPARING THE DINING ROOM Remove table cloths. Set tables with your best cutlery or an attractive centerpiece such as candles or flowers. Ensure objects in display cabinets or on shelves are arranged neatly.
Page 4 - Preparing for Photography
LEN WORTHINGTON
REAL ESTATE Selling the area’s finest homes! 0402 297 355
|
www.lenworthingtonrealestate.com.au |
lenworthington@remax.com.au
PREPARING THE KITCHEN Declutter and clean all surfaces. Ensure sink and benches are empty. Clean cook top, rangehood (make sure light works) and any splashbacks. Remove benchtop appliances such as toasters and kettles (larger coffee makers are OK). Remove all stationery (pens, mail, paper) and loose items (coins, wallets, mobile phones & chargers). Remove from view all tea towels, soap, cleaning products, plugs, dish rack. Remove bins, floor mats and pet bowls. Remove keys from key rack. Clear fridge of magnets, photos and paperwork. Remove items stored on top of fridge & cupboards. Neatly arrange fruit, flowers, ornament or display (ie. cookbook, flower centrepiece)
Page 5 - Preparing for Photography
LEN WORTHINGTON
REAL ESTATE Selling the area’s finest homes! 0402 297 355
|
www.lenworthingtonrealestate.com.au |
lenworthington@remax.com.au
PREPARING BATHROOMS Remove bathmats, bath toys, bins and scales. Clean all mirrors, surfaces, shower screens and tiles. Remove toiletries, cosmetics and cleaning products from bench surfaces and the shower/bath (including shampoo bottles, soaps, toothbrushes etc). Ensure towels are matching and hung neatly (invest in new towels if necessary).
PREPARING BEDROOMS Tidy walk-in robes and remove clothes and clutter from the floor. Ensure bedside lamps work. Clear all personal items from bedside tables and dressers. Neatly make beds and smooth out bed linen. Remove soft toys, kids posters and stickers off walls and mirrors. Ensure items stored under beds are not visible.
Page 6 - Preparing for Photography
LEN WORTHINGTON
REAL ESTATE Selling the area’s finest homes! 0402 297 355
|
www.lenworthingtonrealestate.com.au |
lenworthington@remax.com.au
PREPARING OUTSIDE AREAS Mow the grass and trim the edges. Also weed, mulch and prune the garden. Remove pets and their evidence. Remove washing and pegs from the line. Make sure all outside lights are working. Remove garden equipment and tools, put away children’s toys and roll up garden hoses. Wash outside areas early enough so that everything is dry for photos. Park cars, trailers, bikes etc out of sight.
PREPARING POOL AREA Clean the pool from dirt and leaves. Remove and store the pool cover and pool toys. Turn on any water features and the pool pump/filter. Remove the automatic pool cleaner and all other pool cleaning products/equipment. Be careful splashing water around the pool unless there is enough drying time.
Page 7 - Preparing for Photography
LEN WORTHINGTON
REAL ESTATE Selling the area’s finest homes! 0402 297 355
|
www.lenworthingtonrealestate.com.au |
lenworthington@remax.com.au
PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL OPEN HOUSE INSPECTION The finishing touches for an open house inspection can make all the difference to how potential buyers view the property, so make sure you tie up all the loose ends. The following points are extra things to think about, on top of the previous checklists! Take care to remove and protect mobile
Take dogs (and any cats that may escape)
phones, tablets, money, jewellery, house and
with you in the car or for a walk during the
car keys before you open your house up to
open house.
strangers. We will do a security check prior to the open house and put away anything you may have forgotten. Don’t forget to clean inside ovens, cupboards and wardrobes, in case potential buyers take a look inside.
Consider buying fresh flowers for the open house. Straighten any photographs and art on walls. Leave toilet seats down.
Air out your home thoroughly before the inspection, so it feels fresh and clean. Deodorise to remove any pet smells. Keep an eye on the weather and heat or cool your home so it’s optimal when buyers walk through. Open curtains and blinds and turn on a few lights in key areas. Park the cars in the garage, or drive away in them. Don’t park them on the driveway.
Page 8 - Preparing for Photography
Tips for Storing Excess Clutter Start packing early for your new place! Use the space under beds with neat rollaway storage. Use one side of your garage for storage. This may save you having to hire a storage shed.