Screen Appeal is the New Curb Appeal
Gone are the days of driving from house to house and physically taking a tour with a real estate agent. Although some people still prefer this approach to buying their next home, the practice has led to a new way of showcasing homes online with images and videos.
Nowadays, potential buyers can peruse properties online. So, sellers should focus on upping their property’s screen appeal in addition to the curb appeal. And with home sales growing in 2022 by 6.6%, according to Realtor.com, there isn’t a better time for home sellers to get their homes picture-perfect.
The question remains: How do you improve the screen appeal to make your home seem as tempting to buy as in real life? Below are some easy tips on getting the best photo representation of your property.
Take Professional-Looking Photos
Before starting the photo session, ask for guidance from a real estate agent or have them take the photos instead. Knowing what potential buyers will look for when searching for a new home, a real estate agent can provide professional advice on staging the house.
Staging may include cleaning up cluttered areas and adding more appealing items like plants or fresh fruits to the rooms. People like to see and imagine how it would be to live in a home, so create those scenes for them with professional-looking photos.
Carefully Choose the Right Time of Day
Lighting could make a massive difference to pictures of the home. If the photos are too dark, people won’t be able to see all the details. On the other hand, too much light could cause a bright glare off smooth surfaces, affecting image quality.
Professional photographers and real estate agents agree there’s a ‘golden hour’ for taking these photos, which is around one hour before sunset. Not only will it eliminate glare issues, but it will also showcase the home’s light fixtures.
Create a Video Tour of the Home
Homebuyers love video tours of the home, especially 360° virtual tours. The videos give them a sense of touring the property from the comfort of their home or office.
One of the benefits of providing a video tour of the home is that buyers can watch it repeatedly and share it with friends. In addition, the video reminds them of features they may have forgotten when taking a personal tour while helping them share information about the home with family.
When interviewing agents to sell your home, ask if they will include a video with the MLS listing of your home.
Don’t Forget to Spruce Up the Exterior
Don’t be fooled into thinking that the exterior doesn’t need attention since it’s only featured online. Often, the first series of photos a potential buyer views online is the front of the home.
According to Zillow, 36% of homeowners regret buying a home and learning there are unexpected repairs. For this reason, presenting a well-maintained home often raises buyers’ interest in the property.
Remove Personal Items From View
Prospective homebuyers try to imagine living in a home they are viewing. Therefore, one objective of staging a home is to depersonalize it so that buyers are not distracted by the personal life of the current owner.
For example, remove anything that identifies you, such as pictures, awards, certificates, documents, and personal care items.
Painting the Final Picture
A picture paints a thousand words, so ensure that the screen appeal of your home is positive for potential buyers. Furthermore, having your home picture perfect also helps you prepare it for prospective buyers to personally tour the home, such as during an open house.