How to Stage a Home for Listing Photography

Listing photos for a home can make or break the potential of getting prospective buyers to book a viewing appointment. Do you know the real estate photography and home staging tips and tricks for playing up the strengths of your saleable listings?

Want great listing photos? These tips and tricks are tried and true:

Lose the clutter.

When professional stagers prep a home for market, they typically get rid of half of a home's "stuff." This includes too much furniture, one of the main contributors to a cluttered look, as well as closets, a high priority sales item. Sellers reluctant? Ask what's worse: Clearing clutter – or missing an opportunity to sell?

Lighten up.

Great lighting adds a warm, welcoming feel. Ditch a dreary ambiance by aiming for 100 watts per 50 square feet.

Don't fear furniture relocation.

Temporarily moving furniture, art, and accessories can help you set the stage for superior real estate photography.

Repurpose catch-all spaces.

Most homes have a room that's the equivalent of the kitchen junk drawer. Repurposing it to an office or reading space, for instance, adds value and helps buyers better envision space.

Practice the art of illusion.

Paint smaller rooms the same color as adjacent rooms for a seamless look that'll make the space seem bigger. Matching drapery to wall color will also accomplish this.

Be a little odd.

Accessory groupings of three items of varying sizes and textures are more appealing to the eye, as is wall art that varies by pattern, grouping, and height.

Don't be too bold.

Neutral and soft wall colors are more appealing than bold ones, which can turn-off buyers.

Finish what you started.

Nothing scares buyers away faster than unfinished projects, missing floorboards, and huge drywall holes. Fix it. It's less than price reductions.

To view the original article, visit the Properties Online blog.