How can a real estate agent help you prepare your home for a virtual showing.

Despite many states and localities lifting stay-at-home restrictions on various levels, the days of in-person visits to a seller’s home may still be sidelined for now. With the real estate buying process largely going virtual, you’ll have to step up your game when it comes to prepping a home for sale.

It’s critically important that how a home shows online translates to the way it looks in person (or better). So, in our new normal of social distancing, how can you better prepare from afar? Here are ways to virtually prep a home for sale with the help of an agent.

1. Review pictures of your home

Take pictures and videos of your home and send them to your agent. This should include shots of the exterior as well as the interior of all rooms in the house.

Your agent will review these ahead of time, and make sure that parts of the house are damage free. He/she might ask you to try painting, decluttering, editing or removal of any decor or furniture items.

Also, if there are any issues that need attention or repairs, any areas where they’re particularly noticeable — stains or any discoloration on ceilings, cracking or peeling paint, fogged windows, cracked tiles, floor discolorations, faded, worn or loose carpet in need of stretching, scratched floors, etc, take a picture of them and send them to your agent so he/she can help you prepare for the second step.

2. Schedule a video walk-through

If you — or someone in your household — have the technology to communicate by video, schedule a virtual walk-through and take your agent through your home “live.” That’s when you can talk through the various areas of the house, and refer to your notes and your agent can offer suggestions.

This is why it’s important that your agent review the visuals ahead of time. By studying the space in advance, you’ll have specific actions items to talk through, and you’ll be able to better focus on that conversation.

Start the video meeting in a particular area of the house, and guide them room by room accordingly.

3. Follow up with a list of action items

Preparing a home for sale is not an easy thing to do in person under the best of circumstances, let alone virtually. There’s a lot of information flowing back and forth.

Your agent will email you a list of recommendations, room by room. Essentially, it's like creating a “prep for sale” checklist that you can refer to so you don’t forget anything.

Moreover, your agent will provide you names of any vendors that can assist with repairs, staging, landscaping, etc. They might offer you to connect with the vendors needed, and go over what has to be done so everyone is on the same page.



Also, your agent might include a general “prep for sale photo shoot” checklist as well. This will remind you of tasks like removing all magnets from the refrigerator, cleaning the kitchen counters of clutter, making sure all light bulbs in light fixtures work and more.

4. Remember that a picture is worth a thousand words

Whether in fashion or home decor, having visuals always helps. The same goes for getting a home ready for sale. Your agent might send you examples of competitive, well-presented properties that are active, under contract or recently sold within the last six months in the vicinity of your home. This will give you an idea of the look you’re trying to achieve.

Your agent will talk to you about what’s appealing in the photos of the listings and what they feel the sellers did well. For example, how lighter paint can make a space feel bigger, open and more airy. They might also send you examples of properties that don’t show well online and will explain why.



In other words, your agent will show the you what works and what doesn’t through pictures. It’s another way of saying, “here’s what to do, and here’s what not to do.” Also, they might send listings that have been staged so you can see the visual impact it makes if that’s something you’re discussing doing.

5. Provide feedback for post-prep-work photos

After the prep work has been done, send photos and videos showing the changes you’ve made. Your agent will make notes of any items that may need adjustments, and provide feedback.

6. Schedule an in-person visit before going live

Prior to having photos taken, your agent will schedule a walk-through to review everything in person and go over showing procedures. He/She will discuss how you will conduct showings and who will be responsible for protective gear.

Review prep for showing procedures, like having lights on and closet doors open so agents can minimize the need to touch anything around the house. This is also the time to assist you with any last-minute adjustments when it comes to arranging or staging anything in the home.

EXTRA TIP: Besides photos, consider video, aerial and 3D

In today’s market, many buyers are making decisions from afar. The more options you use to showcase the property virtually from all angles, the better chance the property has to sell faster and for top dollar. This is why the way sellers prep their homes matters now more than ever.

As we adjust to a blend of virtual and in-person environments, the agent assumes the role of a trusted advisor and coach, and must formulate a game plan to bring the seller from “for sale” to “sold” from afar and in person.