If you're getting ready to list your home for sale, it's time to start thinking about preparing your home for real estate photos. These images give potential buyers a look at what your home is like while also giving you the opportunity to highlight its best features. There's an art to taking these photos, though. Consult our list of tips to learn how to set the stage for real estate photos that will draw interested buyers from all over the Albany and Corvallis areas. 

• Choose the Right Lighting
  Lighting has a huge influence on color perception. The wrong light can make your staging pictures look washed out, dingy, or even dirty. For best results, use soft white LED bulbs (around 3000k). These bulbs will minimize color distortion in each room. 
  
  If you want to go above and beyond, you can use layered lighting to add more depth to your staging photos. This technique breaks each room's lighting up into three layers: ambient lights (overhead), task lights (at eye level), and accent lights (table or floor lamps). Placing lights on at least two of these layers draws the eye to different parts of the room and makes the space feel bigger. 
  
  
• Give Your Home a Thorough Cleaning
  It almost goes without saying, but your home should be virtually spotless for your staging photos. Wipe down all the surfaces, sweep, mop, and vacuum all the floors, and dust all the shelves, furniture, and even the corners of each room. You should also repair or replace any damaged fixtures or finishings. Aim to make your home look like a showroom. 
  
  
• Work With a Trusted Real Estate Agent
  Our real estate agents know what a good real estate photo should look like. They know which parts of your home your photos should highlight. In short, they're home staging experts whose help is essential during this process. Take advantage of their knowledge to make your home look its best on your listing. 
  
  
• Remove Evidence of Pets
  For you, your pets are a beloved part of the family. For buyers, they're a potential red flag for damage, strange smells, and all sorts of other issues. Put your pets' beds, toys, bowls, and other items away for your staging photos. You can easily take them out again when your pet needs them, but remember to stash them out of sight for any viewings later on!
  
  
• Declutter Your Spaces
  Everyone builds up some clutter in their home over time, but potential buyers don't need to see yours. The surfaces in your home should be neat and tidy, holding only the essentials or a few carefully chosen decor items. Since you'll be moving soon anyway, this is a great opportunity to pack up some of the things you won't need until you get to your new home. You'll get them out of the way for your staging photos and cross some tasks off your to-do list at the same time. 
  
  
• Depersonalize Your Rooms
  Potential buyers aren't interested in your life inside your home – they want to envision themselves living there. Putting away personal items like family photos, collectibles, and knickknacks helps the space feel more like neutral ground. Buyers will see the potential in your home without feeling like they're intruding on your personal life. 

Make selling your home easier on yourself by working with our expert real estate team. Our agents will be happy to help you with every part of the selling process, including your staging photos. Contact us today to get started.