“First impressions are everything”

This will be the first viewing of your property by prospective buyers; it really is worth making the extra effort to prepare the property to make it look its best. The more effort is made in the preparation of your property the more appealing it will look and the more buyers you will attract.

I will be videoing and photographing both the inside and outside of your home, including all the major rooms. If your home has special features please let me know when I arrive so I can include them in the shoot. I normally do not shoot storage areas, attics or garage interiors unless you request me to do so.

Following all or some of these simple steps will help make your property stand out in today’s Property market. It can be a considerable effort to prepare your home well but with the huge amounts of money at stake it really is worth putting in the extra effort.

Buyers want to envision your property as their own, so it’s important to minimise personal effects such as family photographs, coats, etc. This can greatly improve the look of a photograph or video.

Our recommendations

Ensure you do not have any cleaners, gardeners, window cleaners etc. booked on the day of the shoot.

Before I arrive follow these steps to prepare your property:

General

  • Maximise space and minimise personal effects.

  • De-clutter rooms that have too much furniture. They do not photograph well.

  • Turn on all interior lights and replace any light bulbs that are not working.

  • Put pets and pet bowls and toys in the garage or out of sight.

  • Vacuum carpets and clean floors.

  • Put all bins out of view.

Outside

  • Remove vehicles from the driveway and avoid parking in front of the house.

  • Tidy both the front and rear gardens including mowing the lawn.

  • Sweep driveways, paths and patios.

  • Straighten patio furniture.

  • Potted plants should be neat and healthy or removed.

  • Barbeques should be covered or clean.

  • Remove all garden tools including hoses and sprinklers.

  • Move any refuse bins into the garage or out of sight.

Kitchen

  • Remove small appliances to maximise counter space.

  • Remove any clutter and clean the counter tops and islands.

  • Clear the refrigerator doors completely, including magnets, photos, and notes, etc.

  • Empty the sink and put the soap, sponge, etc. under the sink.

  • Kitchen towels placed out of sight.

  • Turn on all lights including the over counter lights and the cooker hood.

  • Move bins out of sight.

Living, dinning and family rooms

  • Arrange furniture cushions, fold or put away blankets.

  • Remove newspapers, magazines and tissue boxes.

  • Remove remote controls and any toys.

  • Dust electronic appliances.

  • Move bins out of sight.

  • Turn televisions and ceiling fans off.

  • Tidy away cables.

  • Arrange curtains and blinds in an appealing manner.

Bathrooms

  • Clear off counter tops, including toothbrush holders, soap pumps, pill bottles, etc.

  • Shower/bath items should be placed out of sight.

  • Shower curtains should be opened.

  • Clean mirrors, stainless steel bathroom ware and shower and bath doors.

  • Have fresh folded towels in your bathroom.

  • Toilet seat lids need to be down.

Bedrooms

  • Make all beds.

  • Remove all personal items from the dressers and bedside tables.

  • Remove all laundry and laundry baskets.

  • All bins and distracting items removed to create more open space.

  • Arrange curtains or blinds.

  • Make sure clothes are hung up or folded, and put away.

Stage your house: not essential but it does make it more welcoming.

  • Fresh flowers and filled fruit bowls can be arranged to add points of interest to pictures.

  • Lay your dining table with matching plates, glass ware and cutlery.

  • Fill you wine rack.

  • If you have a separate breakfast area, you could set it for tea, with tea pot, cups, saucers, a plate of biscuits, sugar bowl and milk jug.

Final check: Before I arrive its worth Walking through your property and looking at it from a buyer’s perspective, is there anything that you have missed or that could benefit from a quick change.

It’s been a lot of work but it really is worth the effort, you now have your home looking its best and in the best position to find your ideal buyer.

Kind regards

Tony Hickey