Professional staging for real estate is often a service used by Real Estate agents to enhance interiors for photography and showing. Sometimes, however, the staging can be adjusted for photography to better serve the finished images used in listings. Most stagers require a minimum term of 30 to 90 days, with many vacants requiring a 3-month minimum to reserve inventory.Factoring in the prep time needed before going live for showing, the last step before showing is a real estate photography date.After 1800 properties photographed, we're providing these helpful, low stress staging adjustment tips that can allow professionally taken photos to draw prospects in and motivate them to tour the home in person:
1. DECLUTTER, CLEANING, AND GENERAL PREP
The decluttering and cleaning effort should always be dealt with far in advance of staging, photography and showing, and is probably the most common and usually the most difficult phase of preparing a home for selling. TIP: The garage or outdoor patio can always be the fallback storage area before having a photographer show up. Just make sure the storage items are not visible through screen doors from main (1st floor) common areas.
2. WIPE DOWN SHINY SURFACES TO REMOVE SMUDGES AND DUST
Not every square inch of the interior has to be smudge and dust free. Usually the shiniest surfaces are found in the kitchen on or around counter tops and appliances. It is a given since bathrooms are the most personal and hygenic of spaces to make them as clean as possible.
TIP: Use Sal Suds is a biodegradable, detergent-based cleaner that cuts grease better than Castile soap and avoids the scummy residue it can leave behind.
3. STRIVE FOR EVEN COLOR TEMPERATURE IN INTERIOR LIGHTING.
Turn on all of the lights in the home, identifying the ones that need replacing. Achieving the exact same color temperature throughout rooms and open spaces is not always possible but if you notice wildly different colors, try a few low tech fixes:TIP 1: To get consistent lighting across open spaces, remove a functioning bulb with the most attractive light and take it to the hardware store or home center to find a match. Ask a floor person at the store to help. Purchase only the number of replacement bulbs needed for full lighting - including floor lamps if staged.TIP 2: For the more technically savvy, consider a FREE TRIAL mobile phone app like Lux Light Meter.TIP 3: Since overhead / ceiling fixtures are harder to replace, set aside more time to replace all the bulbs that are blown out, as these can be more challenging and may require the help of a maintenance professional.
4. REMOVE LINE OF SIGHT OBSTACLES (LIKE INDOOR PLANTS) TO IN-BUILT FEATURES
Possibly counter intuitive to those familiar with interior design, but placing large floral arrangements on a coffee table in the living room may block photographer "money shots" of the fireplace, built in bookshelves or outside views. Use floral arrangements sparingly, or remove them altogether for photo shoots, so the photographer can capture details and features without too much on site adjustments.TIP: Upon request Express-Photo is able to capture shots both with and without plants if floral / indoor plants are heavily used in staged interiors. This requested option gives the agent choices to see what works best.
5. REMOVE OR TIDY UP LOOSE WIRES AND CABLES
Usually unavoidable, but if loose cables and wires on floors or walls can be coiled up it does make a difference!TIP: Use Paintable Cord Covers (Raceways) or Cable Sleeves and Zip Ties
5. LUXURY HOMES MAY NOT NEED STAGING
Depending on how the sellers feel about having their personal furnishings used for showing their home, if the home has tasteful and up-to-date interiors, convince them it is the most convenient and cost effective to use their furnishings at least for photography!TIP 1: Show your clients real estate photography samples from Express-Photo luxury home portfolio, to illustrate how sellers' furnishings enhanced their listing photos.TIP 2: Vacant Homes may be staged virtually, but research your options before commiting to any particular virtual staging solution, as these may look too phony.
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