If you’re selling or renting your home, then a picture really is worth a thousand words. Photos are an essential part of any listing and could be the difference between getting an interested buyer to make a sale, or just keep scrolling by. You only have a split second to catch their attention, so photograph your home to make it look as good as possible.

Use a good quality camera

Many of the leading smartphones now have great cameras on them. They’re better quality than some of the professional ones used in years gone by. If you don’t have access to a good camera, buy rent or borrow one. It will make a huge difference to the final result. When it comes to someone cross country moving, who won’t be able to see the property up close unless they travel, the photographs will be the main draw for them.

Learn how to edit

The great thing about digital photography is that you can edit your photos once they’ve been taken. Of course, you don’t want to edit out any features of the property that are actually there, as they should be a true representation but you can adjust color levels, lighting, or remove cars people, or pets who might have been caught in the shot.

Lighting source 

Photograph your home during the day with as much natural light as possible. This gives the property a larger, airier look. If you can’t get natural light then use a separate photography light in order to get a professional look.

Choose the best angle

You only have a few images in order to showcase your property, which means that you can’t waste time photographing every inch of every room. Find an angle than includes as much of the room as possible while still showing off its best features. Not only will it give an idea of scale, but will help people to visualize the room as a whole.

De-clutter

An untidy, cluttered space isn’t going to attract potential buyers or renters and could put people off. Have a good clear-out and organization of each room before you photograph it. Consider giving it a redesign to bring it up to date. It can be difficult for people to visualize themselves in a space if all they can see are piles of other people’s belongings.

Don’t take seasonal photos

Unless you’re putting your property on Airbnb for the holiday season, don’t take photographs with any themes or decorations. No matter how great it looks, it’s better to go with as neutral a look as possible.

Give the outside of your home some love

An image of the exterior of the property is the one that’s most often used first in any listing. It’s important to make this image look as inviting as possible. Make sure all of your curtains or blinds are open, remove any window stickers or items on window ledges. Give the outside a clean-up if you need to and remove any junk or trash bins out of shot. Take your car off the driveway too.

Photography is key to getting eyes on your property. If you aren’t confident about taking images yourself, then hire a professional to do it for you. By following these tips you’ll improve your chances of finding a buyer.