6 Real Estate Photography Tips

We see a lot of really terrible property photos, which is a travesty since every homebuyer now looks at photographs online before going to see a place. So here are some easy tips for making your home the best it can be in pictures.

1. Stage the property. Make sure that your home is ready for it’s big photo shoot. Clear out the clutter, clean the countertops, and get the property looking great. For more tips on staging see my home staging tips here:

2. Use natural light as much as possible. Open the blinds and shoot at the start or end of daylight to get the best photography conditions. Avoid using flash when possible because it can distort colors and make images appear washed out, especially in smaller rooms and rooms with lighter paint colors.

3. Frame the shot. Be sure to frame the image to include as much of the room as possible. Don’t cut corners of furniture items, counters, windows and doors. Get each entire object in frame as much as you can. One way to do this is by following the next tip.

4. Use a wide-angle lens. Don’t go so wide that you distort the image, but wide enough that you can get the feel of all the rooms in a house, both large and small.

5. Edit. In today’s digital age, it’s easy and free to use basic photo editing software. Dark rooms often need more fill light. Lighter rooms might need more color saturation to really pop.

6. Hire a professional. Your real estate agent should either be competent enough to create excellent marketing images using the above techniques, or savvy enough to hire someone who is.

Clark Hill, e-PRO

Broker/ Assistant Manager
Century 21 All Moves
Mobile:  (818) 384-1622
Fax:  (818) 477-0660

CA BRE License: 01461661

ClarkSellsHomes@gmail.com
www.ClarkSellsHomes.com

7 TIPS FOR ARTFULLY STAGING YOUR HOME

Not all homes are created equal. If you want to maximize the sale price of your property, it’s essential to appeal to buyers’ feelings. Keeping your home in a constant show-ready state is not always easy, but it is always good for your bottom line. You can hire a professional stager, or you can use these free tips to maximize your home’s desirability.

Declutter. Put everything away. Books and movies should be neatly stored on shelves. Any children’s or pets’ toys should be put away. Consider moving large non-furniture items to the garage or storage so they don’t take up floor space.

Depersonalize. Family photos, posters, and religious items can put off potential buyers. Consider removing these items or replacing them with clean artful items from a home decorating store. Strong or unusual paint colors should be replaced with something neutral.

Clean. This one seems obvious, but consider having a maid service scrub those bathroom and kitchen surfaces. Have carpets professionally steam cleaned. Use air fresheners in areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and pet areas.

Maximize counter space. Take everything off of your counters and any other flat surfaces like mantles, tops of refrigerators, and tables. It’s not convenient, but it makes the space look larger and cleaner. Consider keeping your toaster in a cupboard. Dry and put away dishes immediately so you don’t need a drying rack, and keep food in the pantry.

Repair. Do you have a small project that you have been putting off? Replace all lightbulbs, fix all leaks, and repair any safety hazards. You know that you should have done it a while ago, so don’t wait.

Arrange. Rooms with no furniture and rooms with oversized furniture both appear smaller. Arrange so that you can easily move from one space to the next. Consider swapping furniture from one room to another so that all rooms have the right amount.

Define. Every room should have a purpose, whether it is bedroom, office, den, game room, etc. Empty rooms look like they have no purpose and cluttered rooms cause confusion. Which bedroom is the master? Which is the guest bedroom? Is your largest room a living room, family room, or other? Work with your agent to help decide what makes the most sense to the most potential buyers.

How to Avoid Common Homeowner Maintenance Mistakes

This month’s update includes just a few tips for regular home maintenance. They will keep your home in better condition, save you money, and keep you more safe.

Replace your air filter. After a hot summer, you should replace the filter if you have not already done so. It will make your HVAC system last longer and run more efficiently if you replace every 3 months.

Seal your grout and natural stone. Grout in wet areas and most natural stone should be sealed regularly, preferably every year.

Check for leaks. Run all your faucets for 10 seconds and take a quick look under the sinks to make sure there is no water leaking from supply or drain lines. A small leak can turn into a big leak without attention. For bonus points, get under the house and check the crawl space :)

Earthquake-proof. It’s been too long since a major temblor, so it’s easy to forget earthquake safety. Bookshelves, mirrors, and other heavy objects should be tightly secured. Ensure that heavy objects are not over areas that you regularly sleep or sit.

For any questions, please feel free to call or email. And remember that I will always take excellent care of your referrals. Thank you.

Excellent Remodeled Home in Van Nuys!!!

7112 Willis Ave.

Van Nuys, CA 91405

Listed at $399,950!

Gorgeous remodeled 3 + 2 home in residential Van Nuys. Great curb appeal in a great neighborhood. Central air and heat, new flooring and paint throughout the house. New landscaping in the front and in the oversized backyard. The kitchen features beautiful dark wood flooring, luxury granite counters with under-mount stainless sink and upgraded appliances. Other great features include a true master suite with private bathroom, walk-in closet, and french doors to the large backyard; upgraded dual-pane vinyl windows throughout, large laundry room, covered patio area, and more!

For more information or to schedule a private showing, please feel free to contact Clark Hill at 818.384.1622 or email at ClarkSellsHomes@Gmail.com

Just Listed in Van Nuys!

Gorgeous remodeled 3 + 2 home in residential Van Nuys. Great curb appeal in this adorable mid-century neighborhood. Central air and heat, new flooring and paint throughout the house. New landscaping front and back. The kitchen features beautiful dark wood flooring, luxury granite counters with under-mount stainless sink and upgraded appliances. Other great features include a true master suite with private bathroom, walk-in closet and french doors to the large backyard; upgraded dual-pane vinyl windows throughout, large laundry room, covered patio area, and more!

For more information, please feel free to contact me at ClarkSellsHomes@Gmail.com or call me at 818.384.1622

Fantastic Condo For Sale in Panorama City!

Just Listed!

14435 Plummer St. #14
Panorama City, CA 91402

$218,900

Fantastic interior unit with pool view. This home features an open living area, private patio, private garage, laundry in unit, vaulted ceilings, and more. The kitchen features good counter space and stainless steel appliances. True master suite features double closets and en-suite bathroom with rain-style shower head and custom tile design. Second bedroom features a private balcony and second upstairs full bathroom. Come take a look before this fantastic unit is sold!

For more information on this beautiful unit, please feel free to contact me at ClarkSellsHomes@Gmail.com or call me at 818.384.1622

JUST LISTED in Porter Ranch!

11225 Wilbur Ave. Porter Ranch, CA 91326

Listed at $629,900!

This gorgeous 5 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom, 2,432 Sq.Ft. home in Porter Ranch was built in 2006, modern design with high ceilings, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, open floor plan and sports a large 10,020 Sq.Ft. lot in a very private gated community!

For more information, please feel free to contact me at ClarkSellsHomes@yahoo.com or call me at 818.384.1622