According to the National Association of Realtors®, more than half of home buyers now find their real estate listings online. The first thing they’ll do when finding your listing is review the photos. Therefore, high-quality, carefully planned photos will make all the difference. Know what to do and what to avoid when taking real estate photos so they’ll show your home in the best possible light.

Do

Show off the exterior.

• Curb appeal is important to real estate buyers, so it’s important that you take the time to prepare a photo. Don’t just snap a quick picture with your phone. Clean up the front yard, move all cars that are in front of your home, and move potential eyesores, such as trash cans. Take a photo of the front of the house from the street. If your home has landscaping lights, take another photo at twilight with the lights on.

Prepare the home.

• Dpn’t take any pictures until after you’ve done your staging. If you aren’t going to have the home staged, de-clutter and clean the house before taking any pictures. Wash the windows and clean up your yard. Remove all personal items, such as family photographs or religious décor, to help buyers picture themselves living in the home.

Don’t

Forget lights.

• Good lighting makes a home look cheerful and larger. Turn on every light in your home, even smaller ones such as desk lamps or that light under your microwave. Open up all the window coverings such as curtains and blinds. For the most possible natural light, remove the screens from your windows as well.

Photograph yourself or pets.

• You want your real estate photos to look professional. Make sure your pets aren’t in the photographs, and take care not to catch yourself in the mirror. If there’s a mirror in your picture, ensure that you’re an angle that keeps you out of the shot.

For the best results, have a professional take your real estate photos. Your real estate agent can connect you with the best photographer for your needs. Mary Vann: Coldwell Banker Gundake guides her clients through the entire process of selling property in the greater St. Louis area. She has more than 20 years of experience in the area and speaks both English and Spanish. Visit her website or call her at (314) 574-3030 to schedule a consultation.