With site visits now transformed to virtual tours and digital walk-throughs, owing to the enforcement of social distancing norms following the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it is imperative for sellers to make their unit look beautiful in reality and on screen. If you are looking to list property online for sale, it’s important that the property looks appealing to buyers to get them to contact you.
How to improve your home’s screen appeal for a video walk-through?
Here are a few tips for enhancing the screen appeal of your home to make it more attractive to prospective buyers.
Do a thorough cleaning
Ensuring your home receives some tender loving care will enhance its appearance in photos and videos. Take the time to clean all surfaces, including countertops, tables and shelves, and thoroughly sweep, mop and vacuum the floors. Use this opportunity to spot any minor imperfections that require attention, such as small wall holes, cracked surfaces or scuff marks. Ensure your windows are unobstructed and clean to maximise natural light, as dimly lit rooms can detract from your visual media. Opening blinds and shades can create an illusion of space, while checking that all lightbulbs are functional and consistent in colour will elevate your lighting.
Remove the clutter
Organise your place as you would have done, if there would be an actual site visit. Be it a toy box or your personal belongings, remove it from sight, allowing the buyer to see and imagine the space as is, instead of seeing your stuff everywhere.
Turn on all the lights
For videos, it is advisable to switch on all the lights, as this will make the space look brighter and bigger. Moreover, this will keep the video shoot consistent in terms of lighting. You would not want a video, where certain elements of a home are shot in the dark.
Keep pets out of view
Avoid including family members, pets and personal items in your video walk-through. Instead, keep the space as empty as possible.
Depersonalise the space
Create a neutral atmosphere in the space by removing personal touches. Stow away items that distinctly reflect your personality or identity. When a home remains strongly personalised to its current occupants, it can hinder prospective buyers from picturing themselves residing there. These personal items encompass awards, family photographs and framed certificates. It’s advisable to eliminate anything potentially contentious or politically charged. Additionally, store away any collections you may possess, as they can clutter the house and distract from its unique features.
Apply a fresh coat of paint
Give your home a makeover with a fresh coat of paint, enhancing its appeal to potential buyers, especially for online listings. When choosing paint colours, opt for neutrals like white, cream or light grey to appeal to a wide range of tastes. Before painting, attend to any necessary touch-up work such as sanding down chipped paint or removing stains with soap and water, ensuring your home looks its best.
Stage the house
Prepare your home for optimal presentation by staging it effectively for photographs or videos. Assess the arrangement of your furniture, considering whether rearranging it could maximise space and create a more appealing layout. If you’ve repurposed rooms, such as turning a bedroom into a family room or a dining room into a home office, stage them back to their original functions for the online listing. Pay attention to the exterior of your home too, as it’s often the first image prospective buyers will encounter online. Enhance curb appeal by tidying up the landscaping, addressing any necessary repairs, power washing your deck or porch and removing clutter from the yard.
Start the video at the front door
If you are shooting the video tour with your smartphone camera, start from the main door and then plot your route through each part of your home. Also, you can do a background narration about the features, flooring and other things related to your property.
The panning of the camera should be smooth
Try using a selfie stick or a tripod for shooting the video, to avoid blurred scenes. This will also help in smooth panning when showing overhead storage space, etc.
How to make your home look good in photos?
Take low angle shots
Keep your shots a little lower than eye level. This will make your house look bigger and grander. Most architectural magazines use low-angle shots, to give a vast look to the space.
Shoot straight
Do not tilt your camera up or down but try to set it straight. Tilting the camera results in distorted vertical lines on your photo, making it look unprofessional. Keep the camera sensor parallel to the space and you will get beautiful pictures. You can use the ‘Grid’ option in your camera settings, to help keep your smartphone straight.
Using smartphones for pictures
You do not have to buy a DSLR camera for the photoshoot. These days, even smartphone cameras are well-equipped, to give you professional-looking pictures. If you want, you can add a watermark to your pictures. If you are using a professional camera, avoid using the wide-angle lens, as it makes items appear closer to the camera.
Do not use a flash
Always take pictures with natural light but avoid harsh sunlight, as well as flash. Smartphone cameras are well-equipped to click decent shots, even in low light. You can use a tripod and put a timer, for a nicer click. This way, you can avoid getting blurred images.
Do shoot the important part of the house
Always include chest-level shots of the master bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom and an exterior shot. This will help the buyer understand the interiors of the house. These shots will also have a lasting impression on the investor. If the unit is empty, you can shoot the vacant room with lights on, to show the vastness of the space.
Focus on home’s unique details
Highlight the distinctive features of your home that set it apart from traditional properties. Whether it’s a hidden closet, a charming coffee corner or an extra home library, showcasing these unique spaces can significantly enhance your home’s appeal on screen. Not only are these areas visually appealing, but they can also inspire buyers to make swift decisions in your favour. When listing your home for sale online, ensure to give special attention to highlighting these areas, captivating potential buyers with their visual allure.
Hire a professional photographer
Invest in professional photography services when selling your most significant investment. Mobile phone images simply won’t suffice. Seek out a photographer specialising in capturing homes for listings and 3D virtual tours. These professionals excel at framing and lighting spaces to accentuate their unique qualities.
Housing.com POV
Presenting your house in the best possible light through photos and videos is essential for attracting potential buyers, especially in today’s digital age where virtual tours have become increasingly common. By following the tips outlined in this article, including decluttering, enhancing lighting, depersonalising the space and staging effectively, you can significantly improve your home’s appeal in visual media. Remember to pay attention to both the interior and exterior of your home, and consider investing in professional photography services for optimal results. Ultimately, creating visually appealing photos and videos will not only attract more interest but also increase the likelihood of a successful sale or rental transaction.
FAQs
How can I prepare my house for a photoshoot or video recording?
Before the shoot, declutter your space, tidy up surfaces, and remove personal items. Ensure proper lighting by opening curtains and turning on lights. Consider staging furniture and decor to enhance visual appeal.
What are some tips for improving lighting in my home for photos and videos?
Maximise natural light by shooting during daylight hours and opening curtains or blinds. Use additional lighting sources like lamps or softbox lights to fill in shadows and create a brighter, more inviting atmosphere.
How can I highlight the best features of my home in photos and videos?
Focus on showcasing key selling points such as architectural details, spacious rooms, and unique features. Use strategic angles and composition to emphasise these elements, and consider adding pops of colour or focal points to draw the eye.
Are there any common mistakes to avoid when photographing or filming my house?
Avoid shooting in cluttered or poorly lit spaces, as this can detract from the overall appeal. Additionally, be mindful of distracting background elements and ensure that your camera is level to avoid skewed perspectives.
What editing techniques can I use to enhance my photos and videos of my house?
Basic editing tools like cropping, adjusting brightness and contrast and enhancing colours can help improve the overall look of your photos and videos. Experiment with filters and presets to add style while maintaining a natural appearance.
Dhwani is a content management expert with over five years of professional experience. She has authored articles spanning diverse domains, including real estate, finance, business, health, taxation, education and more. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Dhwani’s interests encompass reading and travelling. She is dedicated to staying updated on the latest real estate advancements in India.
Email: [email protected]
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