6 Staging Tips from a Photographer

Happy, Healthy New Year to you all!!!

I am not artistically inclined. I’m a good Realtor, but my artwork remains firmly at the stick-figure level. That’s why I work with a professional photographer on my purchase listings and even some of my Landlord listings. They have an eye towards color & light that I lack & they fill that gap admirably. That’s why I found the below article so fascinating. Items like decluttering, fresh paint, neutral colors, clean/unblemished flooring, curb appeal, etc. were no surprise for me. I’ve been preaching them for years. Science is a pretty much fact based, empirical evidence backed methodology. That’s how I look at the world. An artist, like a photographer captures and expresses the intangible “Feeling” of their subject (your listing) & communicates that vision to others (Buyers). That’s why I love the artist photographer that I’ve worked with for years, Alexis at https://alexismariephotographyanddesigns.hd.pics/. I don’t normally plug people in my posts, but she deserves the mention.

I saw this article on Homes.com & it made me look at the artistic aspect, with the scientific view I’m used to. I’m not sure I buy all of the suggestions, but many do make sense to me. Here’s the link to the article: https://www.homes.com/learn/6-tips-from-a-photographer-to-prep-your-home-to-sell/?

1. Decluttering and De-personalizing – Yep, I’m on board there(See my 1/4/25 – Post: https://lewmcconkeyhomes.com/2025/01/04/prep-for-selling-your-home-is-tough-but-vital/)

2. Remove red items & super bright non-LED lighting – Not so sure of the red thing, but again, I might just not have that artsy gift.

3. Let Natural Light in – Even I get that one.

4. Powerwash the patio – Amen there. Powerwash everything. I have my vinyl siding, walkways, fencing, driveway, decks, etc. done every two years. It’s a fairly low cost way to

restore a like new look and remove mold, moss and debris buildup.

5. Switch to LED light bulbs – Yes…Yes, A thousand times yes. Better, softer more natural light, less electricity used, longer life, Cool features(bulbs with batteries that allow lights to work when the power’s out & more).

6. Invest in Home improvements – A qualified yes here – Many popular home improvements don’t net you a positive return on investment(ROI). (See my 5/2/25 post: https://lewmcconkeyhomes.com/2025/05/02/remodel-for-your-own-joy-not-for-a-return-on-investment/ ). How you value the specific improvement may not be how buyers see it. Ask a Realtor if you have a question.

So in short, Art has a definite place in Real Estate, right up there with science. The attached pics show how it’s done right. Yep, Alexis did ’em. Take a peek and see what you think…