The start of a new year is a popular time to start thinking about future plans and for many people this includes their home. Whether it’s upsizing, downsizing, relocating for work, being nearer good schools, changing your circumstances, improving your lifestyle or settling for retirement, life can present any number of reasons for making a move this year.

The internet has a well established role in selling properties now, putting thousands of homes in front of potential buyers so if you want to sell you have to get your house noticed.

I shoot properties every day and there’s nothing more frustrating than seeing quality properties that are being undersold because they’ve not been properly prepared for marketing.

Remember, once a buyer has set their price range in a search, they’ll be using the property images almost entirely as a guide to decide which homes to look at in more detail and booking a viewing for. For the sake of some preparation you could be turning away potential buyers without realising it.

Here is my guide for making a property attractive to buyers:

Top tips for preparing your home for sale

  1. Declutter. It’s difficult to impress how much of a difference this makes to property photography. Even a few items on surfaces will distract from the space and potential of a property. A buyer wants to be imagining themselves in the house not be put off by personal items everywhere.
  2. Lights. Check they’re working and replace any blown bulbs. Blown bulbs will make a property look uncared for and they make for even lighting of the property in images.
  3. Set tables. This is a neat trick that makes a big difference. Setting the dining table helps buyers imagining themselves enjoying the space and it puts them a step nearer to buying. Outside, make sure garden seating is set out, even if it’s wintertime!
  4. Clear the view of the house. The property frontage is often the first image buyers will see of a house. Make it look its best by keeping it clear of cars and free of bins when being photographed.
  5. Quality photography. Alas all your efforts to prepare your home will only get you so far if the photography you use is poor. Interiors are tricky to photography well and casual snaps of a house will normally give you dark rooms with wonky walls – not an accurate representation of your home and sure to put off buyers. Professional property photographers will compose and light rooms to make your home look bright and inviting to potential buyers. Don’t accept poor photography and lose out.

Daniel Atkinson Photography provides property photography services across South Buckinghamshire, South West Herts and the wider Chilterns area. I work with estate agents and private sellers alike. Get in touch to find out more.