Contrary to what you might have heard, a buyer’s first impression is no longer that special moment when they first pull up to check out your home’s curb appeal. In nearly all cases, they’ve already checked out your place from front to back online—and for all you know, they may have decided to cruise right by.
Most buyers spend weeks perusing online listings, making Pinterest dream boards, texting must-see homes to their agent, and, well, judging.
And what is the key difference between a home designed to make buyers swoon and one doomed to be mocked on social media? Photos.
Photos are the curb appeal of the digital age, and those shots of your beloved residence must be great to earn a buyer’s interest. Freaking out? Don’t. Check out these pro secrets instead.
1. It doesn’t matter how many megapixels your (or your agent’s) smartphone has
To get a great photo, you need the right equipment, including a high-end camera and some full-featured editing software.
The bigger sensors of a professional-grade camera capture more information, which results in richer, more flattering photographs. Part of that is the technique: With HDR (high dynamic range mode), the camera takes multiple exposures to maximize the quality of the final photo.
Yes, you can use HDR settings on your mobile device, but trust us—it’s not as good. And the right editing program such as Photoshop will make your home photos look their very best.
Unless you already have the equipment—and the know-how—it might be more prudent to hire a pro.
2. Your knickknacks aren’t photogenic
All those knickknacks that make your house feel homey (to you, anyway) won’t translate well online.
“Photos tend to look best with the least amount of stuff as possible,” says Darryl Glade, CEO of IMOTO, a professional real estate photography company in New Orleans, LA.
Aim to store away everything personal (even wall art) before your photo shoot—don’t forget the small kitchen appliances and, yes, your shampoo. You want your house to convey a model home feel. Think blank slate where a new owner can envision their own collection of knickknacks taking root.
3. Dirt really shows
High resolution photos can be a blessing—and a curse. On the one hand, the camera captures everything. On the other hand, the camera captures everything.
A missed stain on the kitchen floor, dust on the mantel, slight discoloration in the carpet—it’s all going to be visible in the photos. Happily, a pro can edit most of those things out, but your house needs to be as clean as possible before the shoot.
Seriously, we want to be able to eat off those floors, soldier.
4. It isn’t just the weather on the big day that matters
You’ve had the foresight to check the weather: clear skies on the day of your shoot. But what about the day before?
“If your yard maintenance crew comes Monday, and there is a storm Monday night, maybe it is a good idea to reschedule your Tuesday photos so that the yard is in perfect condition for the shoot,” Glade says.
If possible, always aim for a day where your home can truly shine. Don’t let stormy weather, less-than-ideal landscaping, or snowdrifts hide your home’s beauty.
5. Little things can make—or break—the photo
The ceramic pig is in the closet, the house is spotless, and there hasn’t been a windy day in weeks, so you’re ready to go, right?
Not so fast. The day of your shoot, do one final sweep and look for anything you might have missed.
“During your run-through, pay extra attention to blinds, curtains, bedspreads, and shower curtains, making sure they are in place and smooth,” Glade says.
And don’t forget the bathroom. “Make sure the toilet lids are closed. Refresh the toilet paper rolls,” he says. “These little things can make a big difference!”
Article originally appeared on Realtor.com.
