Want to sell your home faster? Try these 4 real estate photography tips

If you want to sell your home faster, maximizing the potential of your photos is essential. The listing images are the first thing your prospective buyers will see, so they need to work hard to present your home in the best possible light. In fact, a successful image will more often than not make the difference between a buyer who keeps on scrolling to a buyer who picks up the phone to arrange a viewing. Whether you're taking your own photos or hiring a professional, follow these top tips from homebuilder Miller Homes to get your real estate photography just right before a sale.

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1. Choose the right time of day

Natural light can make a big difference to the look and feel of a home, and you can enhance the amount of natural light in your home by making a few small changes. Start by opening up your blinds and curtains, and take care to remove any objects that sit on your window sills, including picture frames or flowers, as these can be deceiving to the eye and make your windows appear smaller.

It’s also a good idea to temporarily move any furniture that may be blocking the windows, such as a sofa or television. It’s important to showcase as much space as you can, and allow the light to flow through.

Make sure you turn on any lights you have available too, even during the day. Not only will they help to brighten up a room, they’ll also make it appear cozier and more inviting.

2. Think of the bigger picture

Don’t worry about trying to cram every small nook or cranny into your photo gallery. Instead, to really catch the buyers’ eyes, you need to think about the bigger picture.

From your photographs, prospective buyers want to see how much potential your home has, and they’ll be thinking up ways in which they can benefit from the space as a whole. You’ll want to emphasize the space and layout, so to capture this try keeping the pictures at a wide angle and avoid focusing too much on the smaller spaces in your home such as closets or under the stair storage.

Also, don’t forget that some rooms may require you to take extra photographs from different angles – especially smaller spaces like en-suite bathrooms or powder rooms. When doing so, just be aware of any mirrors or large windows in the background where you might catch your own reflection or a glare from the ceiling lights in the pictures.

• Get more layout inspiration in our gallery of 10 small living room layout ideas to maximize your space

3. Be selective about what you show first

When taking photographs, be selective about which photographs best show off your home. Much like ‘putting your best foot forward’, the first photograph on your online listing should show off the best feature your home has to offer. So, it’s worth putting thought into exactly what you plan to photograph, and consider which image will be your main photograph to entice prospective buyers. Your real estate agent will offer have guidance about which photo might be best. 

Photographs that capture your home's character or special qualities, like built-in shelving, wooden or tiled flooring, or a unique entryway can all go a long way to help generate more interest. Not to mention creating a great first impression before potential buyers have even had chance to visit.

Think about your own first impressions of the home before you bought it and ask yourself, ‘what did I love most about the space?’ Whether it’s the living room’s large bay window, rear conservatory or traditional ceiling moldings, put yourself in the buyers shoes and think about what might catch your eye when endlessly scrolling on those listing sites.

4. Plan ahead

Once you’ve decided what areas you’ll photograph, it’s time to see how you can quickly and easily improve the space – both inside and out.

You might want to mow the lawn or trim the hedges in the garden, as well as remove any clutter from the front of the property such as bins or hosepipes. You’ll want to demonstrate that your garden has been well-cared for and wouldn’t require much maintenance for the buyer if they were to move in straight away.

In a similar vein, tidying up bedrooms and picking up stray toys all help to create a clutter-free environment. Ideally, prospective buyers want to see as much of a clean slate as possible in order to really imagine themselves living in your home, so tidying away personal items might help you clinch the deal.

If you’re not sure where to start, let these Marie Kondo tidying up tips help you.

*Tips kindly provided by new homes builder Miller Homes