Real estate photos in 2021: Ultimate guide to get you prepared (with download!)

In 2019, 5.3 million homes were sold in America according to the National Association of Realtors.  In the Oklahoma City Metro region, which includes Oklahoma City, Edmond, Guthrie, Midwest City, Moore, and surrounding towns, just shy of 30,000 homes were sold in 2020. If you’re reading this article, then chances are you’re gearing up to be one of the thousands preparing to put your home on the market. 

Real estate photos will be one of the first steps in getting your home to market. When prepping your home for your photos, your realtor will provide you with advice to make sure your home has the best chance for success.  

How important are real estate photos?

In 2020, the share of home buyers that utilized internet searches as part of the home buying process was at an all-time high of 97% according to a study by the National Association of Realtors. 

Photographs are often the first thing that a potential buyer will see. We are all aware of how quickly we make judgement calls and how quickly we can determine whether we ‘like’ something or not. Princeton psychologists noted that humans make a judgement in as quick as a tenth of a second. 

First impressions online are important in making sure that your home has its best foot forward, and that the buyer can see if the home is right for them.

In 2017, a report by NAR noted that buyers looked for new homes for around 10 weeks, and looked seriously at around 10 individual homes. Photographs is the first step in making sure your home receives the attention it deserves during the selling process. Let’s dive into common questions, and how to prepare your home for the real estate photographer.

Should I remove family photos when selling a house?

Yes, you should remove family photos and other personalized decor (such as your child’s artwork off the refrigerator). Remember when you were home shopping, and you wanted to imagine yourself and your belongings in certain rooms?

Your buyers will want to do the same thing. The buyer will need to be able to envision their future self in that household, and it’s your job to make that process as easy as possible.

Additionally, removing personally identifiable photographs and belongings can help you maintain your privacy both online and during home showings. 

How do I prepare for real estate photos in Oklahoma?

Decor that looks good in real life may come across as clutter in photographs. It is better to err on the side of removing as much as possible. Knick-knacks or other decor on counters, photographs on walls can attract too much attention in a photo where you want the buyer to see your beautiful home. 

Remember, garages, interior of sheds, inside of closets, drawers are typically not photographed, so you can hide your extra belongings there while the photographer is doing their magic. It may be necessary to find a storage unit for a temporary time while photographs and home showings are taking place.

Becky Marple from BeeNeat.com also has provided several tips on decluttering that you may find helpful.

A key phrase to remember as you are preparing is, less = more. 

What to do the day-of your real estate photo shoot 

Preparing your home for photographs is a lot of work. If your photographer is coming in the morning, you’ll need to start at least a couple days in advance to ensure your home is ready.

Plan ahead so that kids, pets, and any additional family has another place to go for around an hour while the photographer is present. The process will go smoother and the photographs will turn out better if family members aren’t trying to shuffle from room-to-room during the process. 

Photography of the outside of your home is important, so your photographer will try to set times with you in order to achieve the best lighting. If there is rainy or windy weather, a reschedule may be necessary in order to achieve best results.

As we know in Oklahoma, weather can be very unpredictable so it’s good to keep some flexibility on this. 

Ultimate checklist of how to prepare for real estate photos in Oklahoma

Exterior of Home

1. Front and Back Yard 
   1. Mow the yard 
   2. Freshen up the mulch 
   3. Tidy up bushes and trees, remove anything dead 
   4. Clean up garden 
   5. Broken fencing or other yard items are fixed or removed
   6. Remove all yard signs (school signs, political signs, decorative, etc.) 
   7. Remove all miscellaneous decor or other items 
2. Porches and Decks 
   1. Clear out any empty or broken planters
   2. Clear out any fallen leaves
   3. Open patio umbrellas
   4. Tidy up porch seating 
   5. Remove grill covers
   6. Clean off patio tables and furniture 
3. Pool and Hot Tub/Spa
   1. Clean and remove all toys
   2. Put away pool cleaner and accessories
   3. Remove covers 
   4. Ensure no debris is floating in water 
   5. Turn on pool lights and waterfalls 
4. Exterior Walls and Windows 
   1. If your home is lighter in color, power wash the red Oklahoma dirt off
   2. Clean windows and glass doors 
5. Other Miscellaneous 
   1. Hide away trash/recycling bins
   2. Put away toys 
   3. Put away water hoses, other gardening items 
   4. If you have a moveable basketball goal, put it away 
   5. Vehicles in drive need to be removed 

Interior of Home

1. Kitchen
   1. 100% clear off all counters and surfaces (remove appliances, visible cooking utensils, refrigerator magnets, etc.)
   2. Remove trash cans
   3. Remove pet bowls
   4. Any open-style shelving needs to be neatly arranged and de-cluttered 
   5. Hide all sink items such as soap, towels, scrub brushes, etc. 
   6. If the pantry is an important selling feature of the house, 100% remove everything or work with a professional organizer or home stager to help organize the space. It’s important that the pantry can clearly be seen. 
2. Bathrooms
   1. Clean all mirrors, windows, and surfaces 
   2. Clean bathroom sinks, tubs and showers
   3. 100% clear away all toiletries, appliances, tissue boxes, candles, etc.
   4. Remove trash can 
   5. Close toilet lids
3. Dining and Eating Areas 
   1. Remove child seats or boosters
   2. Chairs should be neat and pushed into the table 
   3. Tables should be clear, but a small stylish centerpiece is okay if it helps bring the room together 
4. Throughout the Entire House
   1. Match the color of your lightbulbs and turn on all lights
   2. Open all curtains
   3. Vertical blinds look best completely open, horizontal blinds can be left to a ‘flat’ position in order to see outside. 
   4. Remove all extra furniture that distracts from seeing the true bones of the house
   5. Make sure walkways are 100% clear of obstruction 
   6. Remove all personal photographs of your family and other personal items 
   7. Remove all rugs and floor mats
   8. All electronics should be off including computers and TV’s 
   9. Remove all pet items, and keep pets out during photography session 
   10. Turn off ceiling fans 
5. Bedrooms
   1. Make all of the beds very neat and tidy 
   2. 100% clear everything off of dressers, nightstands with the exception of lamps if they match 
   3. Put all shoes and jackets hidden away in closets, and close the closet doors 
6. Other Rooms 
   1. Laundry baskets and cleaning supplies 100% out of sight
   2. Remote controls put away
   3. Book shelves should be very neat and not overly stuffed. Less is more. 

Give yourself plenty of time to prepare your home for your real estate photos. If needed, there are numerous storage and rental companies which may be useful as you declutter and arrange your home in preparation for photos and moving. Preparing for your photos is a lot of work, but the end result is worth it if it helps your home sell faster. Your real estate agent will help guide you through the process to help you secure the best chance for success!