Blitz the backyard - Set up for the perfect shot

I just love my backyard. Back gardens in my opinion are a place to unwind relax and entertain. Of course if you have children you want a safe environment for them to play in.

You want your potential buyers to imagine themselves having fun and creating lots of great memories in the garden. Birthday parties with the kids, barbies with your friends and long Sunday lunches under that great big oak tree!

Before the photographer arrives:

• Mow the lawn
• Trim the edges, get rid of anything that is dead or tired looking
• Scrub the paths
• Clean up after the animals, put their food bowls out of sight
• Tidy up the toys
• For a real "wow" add some fairy lights to the pergola or veranda
• Clean and tidy the BBQ area
• Weed the gardens and trim any overgrown bushes or shrubs
• If necessary add some colour to the gardens with some lovely bright flowering plants
• Set the table as if you are entertaining
• If you have large paved or concrete areas invest in some big pots for that instant WOW
• Add some cushions and throw rugs to seats and benches, for instant colour

Presto a garden that any buyer would love to own!

                                                              Great use of the lanterns

                                                     Lets relax

Create the cosy shot

We want to create a homely feeling, we want the buyer to imagine him/herself sitting in your living room playing with the children or entertaining their friends and family.

Ask yourself these couple of questions

Are the walls and floors clean?
How do the window treatment's present, are they clean and in working order?
Can I bring the view inside, open the blinds let the sunshine in?
Does my sofa look clean and inviting? If not cover it with a throw rug and some new cushions
Can I rearrange the furniture to make the room flow better?
Can I add some colour, perhaps a new piece of art work and some matching vases or jars?

Some more great ideas to help you create the perfect picture:

Get rid of all them loose DVDs hanging around
Throw out the old magazines and papers
Remove clutter from cupboards and coffee table
Remove any unwanted furniture or pieces that are cluttering up the space

Now get to setting the mood for the perfect picture

 If you have a fireplace light the fire
Light some candles
Straighten up the cushions and position the throw rug
Treat yourself to a bunch of flowers
Open the blinds and curtains
Turn on the lights

Your photographer will create the right light for the perfect picture.

                                                    check out this blog

                                                      see more

Wonderful comments from some gorgeous clients!

Sharon Ford epitomizes everything that is professional in a real estate agent, with a balanced, friendly approach. Her honesty and integrity instills trust in both vendors and purchasers and her forward thinking dissipates potential obstacles before they become a drama. Would I recommend her, yes!

S.L.

Purchaser Knights Hill

Sharon we would like to thank you very much for all the hard work you put in to find us the home of our dreams. It was unfortunate that we didn’t get there in the end but we would have no hesitation at all in recommending you to friends and family who are looking to buy and sell.

 Many thanks

B & N T.

Sharon was fantastic so in touch with me!

Byron gave me confidence to hang in there!

Reception staff so polite!

Other sales reps so courteous!

Thank you

A.M. Sold in Oxley Ave, Kiama Downs

I am so proud to show your face on my For Sale Sign showing SOLD!

You have been a wonderful confidence giver and support to me Sharon.  Thank you so very much!

To Byron for saying it only takes one!

Your whole staff have always been so considerate and helpful.

Thank you Ray White Kiama

A.M.  Sold Oxley Ave, Kiama Downs

Quote of the week

Bathroom photography ideas

Bathrooms can be a little tricky to photograph, however it is one thing a buyer really wants to see a picture of. A great bathroom can really entice a buyer.

See below some bathroom tips to ensure great photographs:

• Please make sure you have thoroughly cleaned the shower screen, bathtub, vanity and mirrors
• Remove any clutter eg shampoo bottles, soap, razors,kids toys and sponges
• Add some freshly laundered towels
• How about a small vase of flowers or a pretty bottle to the vanity top
• No bath mats please
• Remove any laundry baskets and scales from the floor
• Imagine that you are walking into a brand new bathroom, except for the towels that's all we really want to see in the bathroom

More ideas

Bedroom blitz

Bedroom shots generally are not one of my favourites. I am always skeptical about publishing pictures of bedrooms. Quiet often all that tends to be in the picture is the bed.

 If you have plenty of room to move about in your bedroom the photographs will look much better than those of a very small bedroom. See examples below

 In saying that, some quick tips to get your bedroom ready for the photographer

• Play around with the cushions and pillows on the bed, so that they present at there very best
• Clear all clutter from bedside tables and dressing tables
• Add some pretty flowers to the dressing table or side tables
• Light some candles to soften the room
• Please remove any nude shots from the walls. Yes I did say nude and yes people do leave them there for all to see! Not a good look at all.
• Keep walls fairly uncluttered
• Remove any clutter that can be seen from under the bed and surrounding areas
• Turn the bedside lamps on
• Freshen up dull linen with some cheap colourful cushions and maybe a throw rug
• If you have mirror robes, clean the glass
• Take a look at your window furnishings,will they present well in the picture
• Make sure your linen is clean
•  Sheets and blankets are tucked in properly
• Your doona or quilt sits evenly on the bed

                                                click here for more great bedroom ideas

Some happy and satisfied clients

 

I would like to personally thank all of your staff, particularly Terry & Sharon, their persistence enabled the sale to eventuate.  At all times I felt comfortable with the proceedings based on excellent communication.

N.M.

Sold in Love St Kiama

Both Sharon and Rob acted professionally and in a helpful and friendly manner to achieve the sale of the property.

L. C.

Sold in Millar Place, Kiama Downs

My agent was Sharon Ford, she is very helpful and was always available when I needed advice or feedback.

Sold in North Kiama Drv, Kiama Downs

Sharon has been very obliging and cooperative.  Good on you Sharon!

Purchased in Churchill St, Jamberoo

Sharon was a pleasure to work with and was always extremely professional when dealing with both ourselves and prospective buyers.  Communication between client and us, again was fantastic.

A & N J

Sold in Churchill St, Jamberoo

Some happy sellers!

I found the sales people very obliging and Sharon kept me informed on every aspect of the sale of my home.

P.G.

Sold in Charles Ave, Minnamurra

Sharon was fantastic with the sale of our home and then the purchase of land in Kiama.  We will always highly recommend her to our friends.  Thank you Sharon for your time and effort with us!

S &S D

Sold and bought in Kiama

Sharon has been very helpful in arranging additional inspections of the property and we would recommend her to prospective clients.

B & L C

Sold in Love St, Kiama

FREE Photography and styling tips

Yes that's right, tell me that you have seen this blog post and I will offer you Free photography and styling tips when you list your property with me.

When talking to my clients about professional photography I always stress the importance of it, especially on the websites, signboards and window displays.

It's really paramount to have great photography. If the pictures look unprofessional or dodgy, we find that buyers instantly form an opinion of the property before they have even stepped inside your home.

Professional photography can make all the difference to the final sales price of your home. List with me this month and I will pay for your professional photographs and give you some styling tips.
"Because I want to help you make a move"

Check out my Pinterest property styling page for some more great styling tips

More happy clients

10 out of 10 Sharon, thank you

B.A.

Purchased in Antrim St, Kiama

Super job Sharon

D.C.

Sold in Reid St, Kiama

Both Sharon Ford and Terry Dawson were excellent in informing us every step of the way on progress of the auction of our mothers’ home.  As it was our first time at an auction, Sharon talked us through the process, we were grateful for her guidance.

D.D. & D.B

Sold in Taylor St, Kiama

More happy clients

 

While we endeavored to restrict our inspections to scheduled times we did appreciate your willingness to fit us in as required. We were also pleased that you tuned in to our criteria and limited your recommendations accordingly.

R & J M

Purchased in Cathedral Rocks Ave

Sharon is very professional and very approachable, I will deal with her again in the future.

A.H.

Sold in Cedar Ridge Rd, Kiama

Sharon was very flexible and helpful, Thank you Sharon.

D. & G.S.

Purchased in Old Saddleback Mtn Rd

Awesome clients make for great results!

Sharon kept us up to date every step of the way during our marketing campaign and maintained a high level of professionalism at all times.

A.M

Sold in Tingira Crescent, Kiama

Not one complaint only grateful, thank you Sharon.

J.F.

Sold in Bong Bong St, Kiama

To the lovely Michele & Sharon two “Special Ladies” our heartfelt thanks for all your help.

P & M C.

Purchased in Manning St, Kiama

I was so impressed by the team at Ray White. I thought it was fantastic that the whole team came and viewed our property for their knowledge. The communication between Sharon Ford, Dave and I was amazing. We really appreciated all of Sharon’s effort selling our home we thought she was great and sold it so quickly.

B & D L

Sold in Flinders, Kiama Downs

Thank you for making the process of selling our home so relaxed with lots of communication and support.

We appreciate all of your help.

Many thanks

D & B. L

Sold in Flinders Ave, Kiama Downs

Lets get creative

I am inspired by finding creative ways to display a property to it's maximum potential. After all if your photographs look fantastic, they will help your property sell quicker. 

The photos are a marketing tool,and we don't want them to show any negatives."Our Ray White website will in most cases be our buyers first introduction to your property and I can assure you that I am not going to put you into cyber space without your make up on. 

Your property must be made up and ready for it's photo opportunity."

 This month I will be focusing on what to do before the photographer arrives and the benefits of professional photography and the difference that it can make to your property.

                                                         Very cool