How do you entice homebuyers to WANT to come to your home? First, think about where they start their homebuying search, which is increasingly online. According to the National Association of REALTORS, in 2008, 87% of homebuyers began their search online. Think of what that figure is today! And what do we like to see online? Pictures, of course.....lots and lots of pictures. 
Not only are they online at home but an increasing number of folks are using their smartphones to search for listings and view Virtual Tours. Again, what are they looking for? Lots of pictures!
So it always makes me scratch my head when I see a listing with only one or two photos. Especially an expensive home. Our Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, gives us the capability of uploading as many as twelve photographs. While not mandatory that agents place a photo of their listing in the MLS, it begs the question 'why wouldn't you'?
So Mr. and Mrs. HomeSeller, if your agent is not posting lots of photos online then he or she is doing you a disservice. But I have a question for YOU. Is there a reason why your agent doesn't want to take pictures? Is it because they just don't see the value.....OR is it because your house is not picture-ready?
Selling your home requires an enormous amount of work on the part of your agent. I would try to dispel the notion that agents 'just stick a sign in the front yard' but that's another article for another time. They need your help! So here is what you can do to get your home 'picture-ready'.
- DE-CLUTTER! Please, please, please listen to your agent when they say how important this step is. Buyers are very easily distracted by your STUFF. Put away the doll and baseball hat collections. You're moving anyway, so now is the time to throw away, give away and sell.
- REMOVE UNUSED FURNITURE! Do you really need both nightstands during this transition time? Can you store that desk that is just a catch-all for yesterday's mail? Rent a storage unit if necessary and clear out anything that you can do without for now. This step will also make your rooms look bigger which will impress the buyers.
- NO MORE THAN THREE ITEMS TO A SURFACE This is a classic staging technique. The three items should be of varying heights to add visual appeal. Don't buy anything new, just use what you've got.
- CLEAN THE WINDOWS AND OPEN THE CURTAINS On a very sunny day, though, you will want to close the curtains so as to prevent glare in the photos.
On Picture Day: These sound like givens but again I see these things not done routinely.
- CLOSE THE CLOSET DOORS AND PLEASE PUT THE TOILET SEAT DOWN! It amazes me to see both of these offenses in photos on the MLS. Your agent may be shy and not want to touch your toilet. Do it for them.
- HANG FRESH TOWELS IN THE BATHROOMS
- MAKE THE BEDS
- TAKE THE MAGNETS OFF THE REFRIGERATOR! Gives a nice clean look.
- MOVE YOUR STUFF AROUND AS THE AGENT TAKES PHOTOS...now move them back when they are done. I know you live there and life must go on. So at least for the photos, move the garbage can, the plastic dish drainer and the bottle of Dawn on the kitchen counter.
I would remove everything from this kitchen including the bottle of Dawn on the counter and the solda can on the table. Sounds like common sense but this is an actual photo from our MLS.
You may also consider having your home staged if all this seems too overwhelming for you. Ask your agent for a home stager in your area. Many will do free consultations and give you some tips to get you started. The cost of hiring a stager, though, is far less than your first price reduction!
