Get Your Home Camera-Ready: Tips for Preparing for a Virtual Tour
If you’re planning to showcase your home in a virtual tour, it’s important to make sure it’s camera-ready.
From tidying up to staging the space, there are lots of steps you can take to ensure your home looks its best for the tour.
In this blog post, we’ll go over some tips on how to get your home camera-ready and make sure it looks great in the virtual tour. Keep reading!
Declutter
Before beginning to prepare your home for a virtual tour, the first step is to declutter.
The camera should be able to capture the main features of the room without focusing on all the small details. Take a few minutes to clear away the extra knick-knacks and unnecessary items. Having too much in the room can make it appear too busy and distract from the highlights of the space.
Get your home camera-ready by clearing out the clutter and making sure only the essentials are left behind. If you need to store things, put them away in closets or drawers for the time being so that you don’t have to worry about them being in the frame when the camera is rolling.
Clean
One of the most important aspects of preparing for a virtual tour is to make sure your home is sparkling clean.
This means tackling all those pesky dust bunnies and washing windows until they shine. It’s also important to make sure your floors are clean. If you have carpets, make sure they’re vacuumed and steam-cleaned if necessary. If you have hardwood or tile floors, make sure they are swept and mopped. Don’t forget to clean your baseboards and ceiling fans as well!
In the bathrooms, make sure all surfaces are wiped down, and give your tubs, showers, and toilets a good scrub. Be sure to pay special attention to your mirrors and chrome fixtures, as these will really stand out in the tour. If you have any artwork on display, take a few minutes to dust off the frames and artwork.
Finally, make sure you give your kitchen a thorough cleaning. Make sure the counters are wiped down, the appliances are polished, and any dishes in the sink or dishwasher are put away. A sparkling kitchen will look great on the tour and show potential buyers that you take pride in your home.
De-personalize
When preparing for a virtual tour of your home, it’s important to de-personalize the space.
This means taking down family photos and other items that reflect your personal taste, such as knick-knacks or decorations. De-personalizing allows potential buyers to envision the space as their own, which can help with the sale.
Start by going through each room and removing any items that are deeply personal to you or your family. Photos, awards, or personal memorabilia should be tucked away for the virtual tour. If you have art on the walls, make sure it’s neutral and won’t distract from the features of the room.
It’s also important to declutter and organize the space. Buyers should be able to get a good sense of the layout without being distracted by clutter or extra furniture. Clear surfaces and tidy up closets, cabinets, and drawers to make sure that everything looks its best.
Remember that you don’t have to completely erase all traces of yourself during the virtual tour. You can still leave some subtle reminders of who lived there before, like an area rug or a houseplant that adds a touch of warmth to the space. By taking the time to de-personalize your home, you will be allowing potential buyers to imagine living in the space themselves.
Stage
Staging your home for a virtual tour can be just as important as staging it for an in-person tour. You want potential buyers to be able to imagine themselves living in your home and that’s difficult to do if it looks disheveled and messy.
Start by making sure all furniture is placed in the most visually appealing and organized manner. Rearrange your furniture so that it accentuates the space, rather than making it look cramped or cluttered. Remove any furniture that may take up too much space, or furniture that you feel may not be necessary for the virtual tour. If there are any rooms with an odd layout, try to make the most of it by rearranging the furniture in a way that is most aesthetically pleasing.
Next, create some visual interest and depth in the space. Place pillows and blankets on beds and couches to add pops of color and texture. Layer area rugs, add accent pieces such as sculptures or artwork, or hang some curtains or blinds. If you have any bookshelves, use them to display books, photographs, and other decorative items. If you have any plants or flowers, make sure they are clean and well taken care of – they can add life to a space!
Finally, focus on little details to add a sense of coziness. Place small décor pieces such as vases or jars filled with colorful trinkets on tables and countertops. Hang mirrors or other wall art. Place candles around the house to give it a warm glow. Anything that adds a sense of comfort and hominess will help potential buyers imagine themselves living in your home.
Lighting
It’s no secret that lighting can make or break a photo.
Whether you’re creating a virtual tour of your home or just taking some pictures for your website, the quality of your lighting will be key. Camera-ready lighting doesn’t have to be complicated. Natural light is usually best, but you can also use lamps and overhead lights to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
If you’re doing a virtual tour, avoid harsh overhead lights and point any lamps or sconces toward the walls rather than at the camera. You may also want to consider adding a dimmer switch to give you more control over the brightness of the room. Just remember that the goal is to create a balanced, inviting look in each room of your home.
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