Preparing your home to get top dollar

WHY PREP FOR PHOTOS?

Make the 1st Impression Count

Online – It’s where buyers start

The majority of home buyers start their search online, so it is important to make the first impression count! Follow these tips in preparing your home for the best real estate photos possible.

GENERAL

Tips for all areas in the home when preparing your home

  • Thoroughly clean whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean counter tops, clean windows)
  • Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON
  • Replace all burned out light bulbs. Use bulbs of the same temperature (ALL Incandescent or ALL compact fluorescent)
  • Turn all ceiling fans OFF
  • Open blinds/window treatments to let in outside light
  • Turn all TVs OFF
  • Turn all computer screens OFF
  • Remove personal photographs (or replace with general landscape/object photographs)
  • Make all beds
  • Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring
  • Place all shoes, jackets in closets

Online “curb appeal” and a relaxing oasis

Front Exterior
Online “curb appeal” – the front exterior is usually the first photo buyers see

  • Close garage doors
  • Remove cars from driveway and front of home
  • Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)
  • Remove empty planters
  • Use broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames
  • Remove visible water hoses
  • Remove toys, sports balls, basketball nets, soccer goals, etc.

Back Yard
The backyard should be an oasis to relax

  • Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions
  • Pillows/cushions should be fresh, not faded
  • Clear out kid’s toys, calls, frisbees, etc.
  • Clean pool
  • Remove pool vacuum/cleaner hose
  • Hide pool cleaning supplies
  • Turn on pool fountains/water features
  • Remove visible water hoses
  • Remove trash cans
  • Preparing your home to get top dollar-2

KITCHEN

Sometimes the focal point, the kitchen deserves attention to detail

  • Clear counter tops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.
  • Leave out max of one small appliance (ex. coffee maker)
  • Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
  • Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
  • Remove dishes from sink, place in dishwasher

DINING ROOM / TABLE

Allow buyers to imagine a nice family meal

  • Clear table, dust and polish the table top
  • Use decorative place settings if available
  • Feature one centre piece such as a bouquet of flowers
  • Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
  • Remove child seats/booster chairs

Online “curb appeal” and a relaxing oasis

  • Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.
  • De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than 5 items, including art)
  • Clean interior of fireplace and repaint if needed
  • Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
  • Remove kid’s toys

BEDROOMS

Rest for you and guests

  • Preparing your home to get top dollar-3

Master Bedroom
A good nights rest recharges the body and mind

  • Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available
  • Press bed linens and bed skirts
  • Clear nightstands of all personal items
  • Store away phone/tablet charging cables
  • Remove family photos from walls
  • Clean under bed, removing items that may show in photos

Kid/Guest Bedrooms
Don’t forget about guest bedrooms

  • Remove personalized names from walls
  • Remove wall stickers/posters
  • Clean under bed, removing items that may show in photos
  • Remove diaper genies

Also read: 5 Factors To Consider When Relocating

Call Team Bush Home Selling Team at 905-297-4885 to find out how much your property is worth!

Team Bush has the experience, knowledge, and tools to help buyers and sellers make those big decisions.

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