Author Archives: maylynda

Sellers Photo Checklist

Sellers may be worried about having the home photographed. First-time sellers may be feeling more than a little overwhelmed by the process. But even experienced sellers can use a few pointers. Ease their stress and yours, save time and make sure everything goes well by using this helpful checklist

Exterior Front and Back

  • Remove cars from driveway
  • Close all windows
  • Sweep walkways
  • Pick up leaves, sticks, branches
  • Put toys, bicycles away
  • Store seasonal décor
  • Stow garden tools, supplies
  • Remove all hoses
  • Straighten and arrange deck furniture
  • Clean pool area

Interior: Main Areas

  • Remove personal items/photos
  • Remove all visible clutter
  • Open shades/blinds
  • Replace burned out light bulbs
  • Tidy up or put away all children’s toys
  • Empty waste baskets
  • Hide pet dishes/toys/beds
  • Vacuum carpets
  • Sweep hard floors
  • Remove newspapers, mail
  • Display attractive books
  • Turn off televisions
  • Turn on all lights

Interior: Kitchen

  • Remove all items from refrigerator door
  • Store food in cabinets
  • De-clutter counters, stove
  • Stow small appliances
  • Hide soaps, cleaning items
  • Hide dish towels, sponges
  • Clear sink of dishes
  • Put away draining rack
  • Organize items on open shelves
  • Place bowl of fruit on counter

Interior: Dining Room

  • Straighten/push in dining chairs
  • Add centerpiece, candles
  • Set the table for dinner
  • Add a vase of flowers
  • Add a bottle of wine, glasses

Interior: Bedrooms

  • Make the beds
  • Arrange decorative pillows
  • Put away clothing, shoes
  • Clean under the bed
  • Clear surfaces of clutter

Interior: Bathrooms

  • Make the bathrooms sparkle
  • Hang fresh towels
  • Clear counters of toiletries
  • Clean mirrors
  • Clean toilet and close lid
  • Remove all items from tub and shower

How “clutter” is actually hurting your Real Estate Listing.

Selling Tips

When preparing your home for real estate photos, you can try to make it look showroom-ready so that buyers can imagine themselves living there. Here are some tips to consider:

Depersonalize 

Remove personal items like photos, family items, and keepsakes. You can also put away family photographs.

Clear surfaces 

Remove clutter from countertops, including soap, toothbrushes, and other items. This can help avoid privacy issues in high-resolution photos.

Remove furniture 

Remove excess or large furniture to open up floor space and make the home look more presentable. You can also remove some furniture to make rooms look bigger.

Hide items 

Store wastebaskets in laundry baskets, and hide electrical cords and cables. You can also put away pet dishes, toys, and beds.

Prepare the bathroom 

Remove everything from countertops, including soap, toothbrushes, and deodorants. Place toilet seats down, and hang only clean, unused towels.

Prepare the outside 

Hide large garbage cans and lawn equipment in the garage, and keep the lawn free of toys and pet items.

Remove floor coverings 

Remove mats, area rugs, and runners to allow for better light reflection and show more detail in the photos.

Adjust window coverings 

If a wall has multiple window coverings, adjust them all the same.

Clean 

Clean mirrors and windows, vacuum carpets, and polish floors.

I want to dive a little deeper into the one area that seems to hang up clients every time. That is clutter.

Now clutter doesn’t have just one meaning. To some it’s just a few items out of place while to others, it could put them on the edge of approaching “hoarder” status. Either way lets talk about some of those specific items that could actually be impacting the “Sell-ability” of your listing in a negative way. 

Why is hiding the clutter important for your listing? 

Well let’s think about a house from a buyers prospective. Most likely the buyer has been perusing houzz or pinterest and has this grand vision of their future home. They may know it’s not realistic, or maybe it is. But you want to present your listing as close to that vision as possible. It’s done with two goals in mind.

1) Make sure they see a clean, beautiful home that will improve their quality of life.

2) Make sure they can see themselves in the home.

These goals may seem pretty obvious but they often get overlooked by sellers. It’s my job to educate sellers on what they can do for the best results. You want the property to be as “show ready” as possible to feature the selling points of the home. Getting rid of clutter is going to be one of the easiest ways to do this because clutter in a home only serves as a distraction to buyers.

What is Clutter?

Before we get too far into what needs to be done with clutter, let’s first identify it. I describe clutter as anything that is “extra” in a space. Beyond your typical sofa, chairs, tables, rugs, etc, items that a buyer may not necessarily add to the space can become clutter. Clutter is often sentimental items, it can be knick-knacks on the counters, even items that are nice may be adding “visual clutter” to a space.

So what do we do with it?

1st off, we can walk thru the home together and talk about what items should be put away and why. Grandma’s photo is lovely, but it could distract buyers from seeing themselves in the home. It’s not personal and you can bring the items back out as soon as photos and showings are done but until then, the house really needs to showcase itself without these items. 

Do a walk-through with the Sellers

We can look at each area, one-by-one, and try to address everything that can be distracting. Here are some of the top clutter areas I see when photographing a listing.

-Countertops: Clean off the counters. Put appliances, knife blocks, paper towel holders, soaps, and just about everything else, under a cabinet. Buyers like to see lots of counter space, whether it’s in a bathroom or kitchen, and clean counters are the only way to show that.

-Sitting Areas: Personal touches are great but, like I said, photos of grandma don’t always resonate with buyers. Remove family photos to stay anonymous. Keep your chairs “sittable” by only having 1-2 pillows as decor and keep your tables tidy. 

-Outdoor Areas: Mow that grass, rake the leaves, and emphasize the importance of hiding the garden hose. All of these things add visual clutter that can make the house feel sloppy.

These are just a few things to do to reduce clutter in a listing, but there is always more to do. For more ideas my “Sellers Photo Checklist”“Sellers Photo Checklist” can help sellers to be prepared to show the home.

How are you helping the buyers see themselves in the space?

Webster, MA Colonial

Enjoy the calmness and serenity of Webster Lake from your stunning 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath home.
This home has a tiled 2 car garage, walk-in basement which includes ample size storage. Additionally, relax and unwind from the day within the comfort of your home with a hot tub spa room with attached full bath! Head up the stairs and enter into your gorgeous light drenched, open concept kitchen. A generous eight foot long island, an abundance of cabinets, granite counters, nine foot ceilings complimented by rich solid hardwoods. Flow seamlessly from the kitchen to the spacious dining room encased in windows. Lounge in the open concept family room with lake views. The main floor includes a dedicated laundry room, pantry and half-bath and coat closet. Perfect for hosting events and family gatherings, an oversized slider opens into a back deck for entertaining. Solid hardwoods continue upstairs throughout the landing area and bedrooms. Enjoy watching the Indian Princess float around the lake from three casement windows in your versatile landing area. Make it your own as living, lounge, office, or exercise space. Easily accommodate a California king bed into the sizable master bedroom. Store clothes in an organizer’s dream of a walk-in closet. A double sink and walk-in shower round out the master bedroom’s full bath.

Indulge in vibrant sunsets from the windows offering stunning views of Webster Lake. Move down the hall and find two additional bedrooms with large, double-door closets. A tiled, full bath with an oversized linen closet completes the floor.

This property includes deeded access to an easement a short walk from the front door! Launch kayaks or lounge in the sand on Webster Lake!

The property is propane fueled with two zone A/C, heat, and hot water. Town water and sewer.

Upgraded electrical, stainless steel appliances, Harvey windows,

Come and visit this open yet warm house. You’ll fall in love!

Buyer/Buyer agent to verify information contained herein.

CLICK HERE for MLS Listing Sheet

Kingston Massachusetts Colonial

A commuters dream! Gorgeous Colonial at the end of cul-de-sac, freshly painted thru out, with high ceilings, huge eat in Kitchen w/island, Step down family room, formal Livingroom & dining room. 3 bedrooms upstairs, the main bedroom features walk-in closet, full bath. Lower level has full bath & potential kitchen area with French doors to back yard & a bedroom. 2 car attached garage. Tesla Solar panels power purchase agreement is transferred as is. 1 mile to commuter rail, 1 mile to ocean, and 1 mile to route 3 access. Shops & restaurants, minutes away. First showing is at Open House August 14th.
I can’t wait to meet you!

Contact Us for your Real Estate needs!

New Beginnings New Memories

New beginnings

New beginningsYesterday August 1, 2022 the sweetest couple I know became first time
home owners!  It was an absolute pleasure showing them houses and finally
being able to “win a bid” and actually see them getting this home!
“It’s not real until you get the keys in your hands!”

This doesn’t happen too often, but this was a very smooth transaction from
beginning to end. And I could not be happier for this sweet family.
May this home…

Wishing them many years of happiness in their new home!!

Contact Us for your Real Estate needs!

Cape Cod Saltbox

New Listing!!  Be the first to view this Cape Cod Saltbox!!!

Cape Cod saltbox

Come and view this great Saltbox Colonial. Updated kitchen, with stainless steel
appliances and granite countertops. Dining room with fireplace. Office on first
floor. Upstairs has a front to back master bedroom with a huge walk in closet,
and other separate closet. Other two bedrooms very good size, with a spacious
hallway. Great fenced in yard with beautiful plantings.Stone patio and side deck
for entertaining. !
Give Karen a call to set up a showing!!!

Townhouse Mansfield
Beautifully maintained 55+ Condo Complex w backyard view
of the Reservoir, so pretty! Quietly nestled by the water yet close to Rte’s 495
& 95/ Open floor plan/Gas fireplace/Tiled kitchen + baths/
Brand new granite counter tops in kitchen/1st floor consists of master bedroom/
Master bath w/laundry/Full walk-in closet/Half bath/ 2nd floor offers guest bedroom/Full
bathroom/Family room overlooking first floor/Office.
PLENTY of closet space here!!
Features$299,900.00 Located at
15 Reservoir St., – Unit 33
Mansfield, MA 020485 Rooms-2
Bedrooms-2-1/2 Bath Unit.
MLS#: 71277551
Additional InformationGary Stein
M.J. & Associates