6 Exterior Tips for Great Listing Photos

 What is curb appeal? What creates that first glowing impression with potential buyers? Curb appeal is defined as the attractiveness of a property for sale and its surroundings when viewed from the street.
There is plenty you can do to achieve the perfect look for your new listing. Check out our top picks to help boost curb appeal and get ready for listing photos!

Refresh
Whether that means making small cosmetic repairs so the exterior of the home shines, or if you need to power wash, or even repaint! Refreshing a home’s exterior can take it from drab to the new hot listing! If the paint on the siding is cracked or even missing in spots, that’s a good indicator it needs a repaint before hitting the market. If there’s no damage, but maybe there’s some mildew buildup a good power wash will do the trick!

Roof and Gutters
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised at how many homes we’ve seen this neglected. The roof is a big-ticket maintenance item, if it needs to be replaced it may be best to have it taken care of before listing. While homeowners don’t recoup all the cost to replace, the average ROI is over 65% for an asphalt shingle roof. Some homes just require the roof cleaned off, and with that the gutters cleaned out. If these items aren’t taken care of, it can give a prospective buyer an overall impression that the home has been neglected and leave them with a negative view on the home.

Landscaping
Depending on the size of the job, the best option here may be to reach out to a local landscaping company for some professional intervention. You will want to tame any overgrown trees or shrubs that might be impeding the view of the home. Also, if any trees are overhanging the home, you will want to address those prior to listing. Adding some vibrant flowers to garden beds will also help draw the eye!
Aside from trees and plants, you will want to show the lawn a little TLC, having it freshly mowed and edged.

Entryway Accents
You want to build a story for your prospective buyers. The right accents at a homes’ entryway can make it feels more inviting and leave a new buyer with a positive impression before even stepping into the home. If there’s a porch, having some seating or a bench with a small table with cut flowers might do the trick! If you are more limited on space, adding a planter or two on either side of the entryway can instantly boost the curb appeal. Heading into Fall, spring for mums for a great impact!

Lighting
Making sure all outdoor lighting is operational is another important exterior task. If there is an issue with any wiring, it should definitely be addressed. However, most outdoor lighting issues are just a case of changing a lightbulb. If this hasn’t been done for years, replacing all outdoor lighting will help give a cohesive look.

Stage Outdoor Spaces
This goes back to telling potential buyers a story. Outdoor spaces, whether it be decks, patios or gazebos, extend the living space of the home out into nature. Staging your outdoor dining area or sprucing up the seating with new cushions can really give off an air of luxury. If the property has a pool, proper staging of this area is key! Deflate the fun shaped floaties, and just let the pool area shine. Stage the seating around the pool to feel more resort like. Include rolled towels for an extra touch! The goal is to make all these spaces look clean, fresh and inviting!

There is so much that can be done in the exterior of the home in order to get it ready to list. When done properly, all these items will not only make listing photos shine, but it will also set the home up in tiptop shape come time for open houses and showings! Do you have a new listing you need photography for?