Hello There!

Does he come with the house?

A key point of an internet listing is to show your home at it's best all the time. Knowing that you may not keep it pristine 24/7 you can still have it shown 100% of the time in the best shape. Before you plan to have your photos taken make sure that your house is ready. Here are a few hints you will want to ensure you pay attention to for your photos:

• Demagnetize - Although the kids art work is dear to you a buyer wants to see the fridge! Take all magnets and associated artwork, pizza coupons, to-do lists, and extended family photos off the fridge and into a drawer.
• Zamboni the Counters - You are selling space, especially in the kitchen. Feel free to leave one, maybe two small appliances if you have more than three counter spaces (U shaped kitchen or L shaped with an island). Photos have a tendancy to make things look restricted. Clearing off the counter tops will assist in opening up the kitchen and giving the perception of having a larger kitchen. This goes for bathrooms as well.
  
• Reflect When Selling - As in the photo above you need to be very cautious of where mirrors are in relation to the camera. Sometimes it is darn near impossible to avoid having the camera in the shot, but that's why they have tripods and self timers on cameras. Don't get caught in the mirror!
• Tall and Skinny - No not a Starbucks order. Landscape (wide) versus portrait (tall) should be the standard shot. The only exceptions that I would use would be in a small powder room or the front shot of a townhouse where you pick up 3 units when trying it landscape.
• Sleeping In - Make sure you have made the bed! Don't laugh I've seen it more than you would think. The bedroom is a personal space but not so much when you are loading it onto the internet. Underwear, bras and "personal items" should be taken into consideration before the thought of a camera as well.
• Pee Wee's Playhouse - Toys everywhere worked for Pee Wee but not for selling your home. Even in the kids to room hide most of the toys in closets or out of the room to take the picture. Even the neatest, most organized room with 300 toys looks cluttered.
• The Dungeon - Call it a man cave or parlor or games room any way you slice it you need to appeal to both sides of the relationship. Not sure too many people will want to walk into the "Private Club of the Satan's Helpers!"

Now you have been hipped to that dude!

M