Seemingly these days when you are having photos taken for a house sale, you don't just hide the clutter, you have to hide the everyday!!
The house was valued yesterday, I'll tell you the result when I share the estate agents details with you, but don't worry you won't have to wait long, things are moving at the speed of a hungry leopard.
As soon as the estate agent left our phones started pinging with forms to fill in, instructions of what paperwork we needed and instructions from the photographer, videographer and social media wizard on what we should do to prepare for the photos being taken later on today.
You are advised to put away anything but the main component parts of each room, so that any viewers can imagine their things and themselves in your space. I am now of the opinion that some people have very little imagination. 😄
We got up early and started almost immediately, now I can't find anything!!
Happily you are 'allowed' to leave a kettle out.
It did spur me on to finally remove the two Winter jackets that were still hanging by the front door though. 😁
Pet food bowls and all traces of animals are to be removed, but we won't do that until ten minutes before they are due to arrive ... we don't want to upset Ginger. Cars have to be off the driveway or off-road parking area, but we won't do that until just before they come ... we don't want to annoy the neighbours.
All the paraphernalia off my desk and from the bathroom is in the boot of my car along with a myriad of other things. Happily I know where my glasses and my current book are, but I am not sure what to have for my lunch, it will have to be something very simple, as all the bits and bobs from the kitchen have been stashed away into the drawers, so no pans are accessible.
It will be nice to get back to normal, still tidy ready for viewings but just more normal.
Have you moved home recently and were you instructed to do all this?
Sue xx
That's very interesting, and very rigid. There are some things I won't be doing when we finally come to move. Actually, one of the things I won't be doing is having any sort of video of my home. Far too much information being presented. Decent photos and a good floor plan. If people are seriously interested they will make a viewing appointment.
ReplyDeleteI will say that the agent that we are using is one we have worked with before, and they have a remarkably good turnover rate, so we decided to go along with this new type of instruction. The videos are to capture younger purchasers imagination, static photos don't grab attention as much on Instagram or TikTok, which seemingly is where young couples and families house hunt these days. How times have changed eh!! 🤔
DeleteI can't imagine you using anyone who wasn't good 😁. I've never even had a sign outside any property that I've sold despite all the agent bleating, and it's never been a problem. I'm sure my refusal to indulge the TikTok generation won't be a problem either. Not something to look forward to though. Like you, I've moved a lot. Thought this was the 'forever' home but there are changes around us that may mean it isn't.
DeleteWe're looking forward to the sign going up, it will give us something else to talk to the neighbours about other than the hot weather. 😄
DeleteAs ours is potentially a multi-generational property because of the annexe, we both agree that Instagram and TikTok marketing is a good idea ... as well as the conventional ways of course.
I can't imagine clearing our shelves kitchen surfaces for photography! They'd have to photograph one room at a time while ran ahead we shifting everything from one place to another!
ReplyDeleteI didn't have to clear the kitchen shelves, books and the things in the header photograph etc. It was just all the signs of everyday life, washing up liquid, oven gloves, tea towels, condiments, blogging camera etc ... it took me five minutes to find my tinfoil this morning!! It's surprising what you have around you without even realising.
DeleteI was dreading them saying 'Could you moved the extra books off the sideboard and radiator shelf and put them in a cupboard please? The cupboards are all full ... of books. :-)
We weren’t given any instructions - but I did it anyway. I don’t think agents give enough instructions tbh. Or I wouldn’t see so many photos on rightmove with a draining board full of dishes or, my personal ‘ick’, the loo seat up!
ReplyDeleteAnna.
Putting the loo seat down was on the list of instructions. 😄
DeleteWell done in getting everything ready! Catriona
ReplyDeleteThankfully it's a one-time job. 😄
DeleteNo moving in our future. It is quite the hassle and especially for the pets. I hope it sells fast so that you can get back to normal.
ReplyDelete"Put away everything" - good grief, thank Crunchy I have no plans to move.
ReplyDeleteAnd you are right - this is house staging to the lowest common denominator because as you say, sadly too many people seem to have no imagination these days.
Here in the US it's called staging. All family photos put away, etc etc. It works though house sold in three days! One daughter just went through this recently and her house sold quickly and above asking price.
ReplyDeleteFunny you mentioning this, lately I have seen pictures of houses with stuff all over. Then there are those that are so sterile that I wonder if someone actually lives there.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
In New Zealand it would seem no buyers have any imagination at all! Houses have to be completely cleared of any personality, photos, nicknacks, 3/4 of the furniture removed, and ofter the owners' furniture removed and replaced with hired, white of grey nonentities! Art replaced with bland stuff. Cupboards cleared (2/3 linen removed, so the cupboard looks larger!) and the kitchen stripped. But, there is evidence that those "Staged" houses sell for a lot more than cluttered, badly presented ones. We downsized 17 years ago, from HUGE to moderate and even back then it was a nightmare. But we got a record price, so perhaps it was worth it. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI would have to seriously declutter if I were to ever move and sell my house! When my neighbor sold her house, her daughter rented a storage unit for all the stuff!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pain and YES I remember having to have the house clean and tidy with only 30 minutes notice and three small children. I was constantly cleaning. Luckily, the house sold fast. We were told to take down framed portraits and knick-knacks, too.
ReplyDeleteWe have had several homes. Back long ago we made sure everything was shining clean and we put away jewelry and other important items. But nowadays you need to super clean out your house. Box up and if necessary take to a rental storage unit. Or stack all in garage if realtor says ok. They know which homes sell quickly so take their advice.
ReplyDeleteI send you my best wishes for the selling of the house. Our experience has gone on and on. Quite disheartening.
ReplyDelete