ALGARVE PROPERTY PHOTO & VIDEO SHOOTS?
ALGARVE PROPERTY PHOTO & VIDEO SHOOTS?
It's that time of year again...Summer has come and gone and you are already making plans for next year as to changes to make to your property for a rental basis, or you may even be thinking of putting it on the market. Whichever your situation, one thing is certain, you should seriously be seeking professional photos being taken or even a stunning video walkthrough done.
Capturing quality photographs is perhaps the most important step in marketing your property. At least results from recent studies suggest that images can be more powerful than endless lines of descriptive copy.
Great photographs enable prospective guests an unbeatable insight into the property that you are looking to rent, sell, promote. Images will let them see for themselves the size, condition and presentation of your property, and these images will generate more leads and possible guests.
Wherever you’re thinking of advertising, be it online, in a shop window or a glossy magazine, the photographs will be the first impression your next guest or eventual buyer will get so you have to make sure it’s a good one.
Remember, "Second chances at first impressions never happen!"
With this in mind, it is vital that you make sure your property looks it's very best for the photo shoot. I have compiled a few tips to help you prepare your property to help me deliver a successful photo/video shoot and some awesome results:
Outside The Property (Where applicable)
- Sweep paths and driveways
- Lawns and hedges nicely trimmed.
- Clear up any fallen palm leaves and remove any obvious weeds especially if nearby a swimming pool.
- Cut back any overgrown shrubs and trees
- Make sure all outside lights are working, especially for a late afternoon or evening shoot.
- If you have kids, see that their bikes, skateboards and toys, in general, are out of site.
- Park any cars outside the driveway.
- Ensure any trash cans are moved out of sight
- Pool equipment (loungers and cushions, umbrella) are by the pool and ensure the pool is treated and cleaned so water is crystal clear. Treating the pool on the day of the shoot would not be advisable.
- BBQ area is clean as if ready to be used.
KITCHEN (Where applicable)
- Clear kitchen bench tops of clutter removing toasters, kettles, bread makers if for a sale shoot). You can leave them for rental shoots as they’ll be part of the property and available to guests.
- Clean all bench tops and surfaces, oven and dishwasher doors
- Turn on all lights including extractor fan lights (they should be the same colour temperature too)
- Clean windows inside and out
- A couple of bowls of fresh fruit for table/counter tops, a nice touch.
- Again for rental shoots, a selection of drinks to use both inside and outside (Red wine looks better in photos, or red wine sangria is also a good choice and fresh orange juice for kitchen shots)
- Remove fridge magnets, notes, photos and calendars from the fridge
DINING ROOM (Where applicable)
- Ensure the area is clutter free (not a word I like to use, but it works!)
- Add a centrepiece such as fresh flowers
- Turn on all lights (they should be the same colour temperature too).
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Clean windows inside and out
- For rentals, it’s an option to make the table with place settings, plates and so on.
LIVING & FAMILY ROOMS / AREAS (Where applicable)
- Ensure all lights and table lamps are working and try and ensure that they are all the same colour temperatures.
- Remove any general clutter, books, magazines CD's from tables
- Try and hide any extension cables or speaker cables
- Remove any general clutter on shelves
- Turn off the television and any ceiling fans
- Clean windows inside and out
BEDROOMS
- Ensure all beds are made and, for rental shoots
make a matching bath towel and face towel
available for each bed (ideally matching towels
for each bed) - Remove any bedside alarm clocks books, posters and so on.
- Turn on all lights including bedside lamps (they should be the same colour temperature too)
- Clean windows inside and out
BATHROOM & EN-SUITES (Where applicable)
- Remove shampoo bottles and other personal hygiene items from shower recess or bath
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Remove toothbrushes, toothpaste, shavers from bench tops
- Clean all mirrors, shower screens and bench tops
- Fold towels neatly over towel rails or remove completely. (Personally, I like to roll them in a unique way, especially if they compliment the décor!).
- Turn on all lights (they should be the same colour temperature too)
A FINAL NOTE
If you can stand back and be sure that after addressing the above elements where applicable, your property is at its best for viewing or a guest can arrive tomorrow and stay for a week with no reason to be dissatisfied, then we’re good to go!
I also work with a number of Rental Agencies and Real Estates so if you are either and would like to really get the best from your portfolio, please feel free to contact me for further information.
Until next time, Take care!