Strategies for Exterior Pictures

Prepare your house for impressive on-line pictures to  generate a positive emotional response from buyers, and inspire them to see your house in person.

Did you know that over 90% of buyers will first see and evaluate your house on the internet? Compelling on-line pictures are crucial marketing tools and your first opportunity to create a positive emotional response. The most important image is the “beauty shot” of the exterior front, and a strong, simple impression works best.

Prepare for more effective pictures by looking at the house from a distance and asking some questions:

•  Is the house clearly visible, or is it hidden by overgrown landscaping? Overgrown plants indicate deferred maintenance and suggest that caring for the property is too much work.

• Does the lawn look healthy and attractive? Maintain the lawn at a height of at least three inches.

•  Is there a focal point to draw the eye and add impact, like a special tree? 

•  Is there a well-defined path to the front door?

• Is the front door painted a special accent color to create a warm welcome?

• Are the exterior lights and hardware appropriate to the architecture, and are they in good condition?

• Is the entryway immaculately clean?

• Are planting beds well-designed? Create a more spacious, natural look where needed by redefining beds in elongated curves. If space is limited by a walkway, add an elongated curved bed on the other side of the walkway to create the impression of a large single bed.

• Do all planting beds have crisp edges? Crisp edges make better pictures. Create them with a simple half moon shovel.

• Have you applied good quality mulch to all planting beds? Use 100% un-dyed double or triple ground red oak or pine mulch to a depth of three inches.

• Are there seasonal flowers in beds or containers to add impact? Make sure the flower colors harmonize with the paint colors and plant single colors in mass for better pictures.

• Have you removed all trash and debris?

• Have you stored all small decorative accessories? Simple images without distractions will showcase the house.

• Are functional items hidden? Store hoses and trash cans out of sight. Screen heating and air-conditioning units.

Smart Selling Tip:
The most important picture of your house is the “beauty shot” of the exterior front. When you’re preparing to list, pay special attention to the details that can create impressive on-line pictures. Vibrant, well-defined images will generate a positive emotional response from buyers.