So here we are at another day of clouds and drizzle, not our most auspicious weather for those who have asked me to photograph their listings. However, since almost every cloud has a silver lining, it’s a great day to talk a little about Staging for Real Estate Photography and share my favorite 21 Tips For Real Estate Photography.

These are some of my best tips to guarantee that you have an awesome photo shoot for your real estate listing.

My 21 Tips To Prepare Your Home For Your Real Estate Photo Shoot are divided into Exterior  and Interior Photography  Tips.

Exterior Real Estate Photo Tips:

1. All cars need to be in the garage with doors closed. No parked cars in front of the house.
2. Remove trash cans, garden tools, hoses and sprinklers.
3. Sweep driveways, patios and sidewalks.
4. Put Deck/Patio umbrellas up in season and remove barbeque covers.
5. Pool Equipment out of the pool and out of sight.
6. All windows closed and blinds set to the same height, usually half mast is best.
7. Mow the lawn, clean up yard debris, store mower out of sight.
8. Bushes and trees trimmed to show a clear view of the house.
9. Enhance curb appeal with a front door wreath, pots of greenery or flowers.

Interior Real Estate Photo Tips:

1. All interior lights on; replace non-working bulbs.
2. Clear off counter tops in kitchens and bathrooms, removing tissue boxes, soap containers and paper towels.
3. A bowl of apples, oranges and lemons gives a nice touch of color to the kitchen table.
4. Turn on fireplace in season if possible.
5. Remove notes pictures and magnets from refrigerators.
6. Turn off ceiling fans and televisions.
7. Put away any evidence of “work” including buckets, trash cans, sponges, soap bottles and cleaning cloths
8. Remove newspapers and stacks of magazines.
9. Windows and mirrors clean and streak free.
10. Carpets vacumed and hard wood floors polished.
11. Beds freshly made; freshly folded towels in bathrooms.
12. De-clutter and de-personalize so your buyer can imagine themselves in their new home!

Bonus:   Real Esatate Photography Tip #22 - Call me, Judy Peterson Real Estate Photography, 484-431-7195. I love “Making You Look Good”!

Premier Philadelphia Main Line North Side Villanova Location!

Do you love “old house, old world charm” PLUS distinctive custom architectural design? If so, don’t miss this opportunity to live in one of the Philadelphia Main Line areas most distinctive neighborhoods, while enjoying old house charm PLUS modern design features!

Custom Architectural Design With a Touch of “Wow”!

As you can see in our slide show, 1105 Brynlawn Rd in Villanova Pa 19085 offers a wonderful location and charm galore!

Architect Helena van Vliet implemented the conversion of the open Carriage area into a dramatic new Entry Hall, Family Room addition and Master Bedroom Suite, featuring hardwood floors, a unique floor to ceiling stone fireplace, matching stone pillars, new windows, custom lighting and a charming circular staircase.

Built in 1850 and featuring a charming and authentic Ludowici clay tile roof, the property is rich in the history of Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County and The Philadelphia Main Line area, having once been a part of the original Red Rose Farm and Mitchell Estates.

Historic Home Property Features-Offers some Wow Factor!

• First Floor Master Suite; whirlpool tub;stone fireplace, marble floor; french doors to yard
• Dramatic Entry Hall to Family Room Addition; floor to ceiling stone fireplace, charming circular staircase; hardwood floors, new windows
• Library/Den with custom wood cabinetry
• 4 Bedrooms; 3 Full Baths
• 1 Acre Lot as shown on Plot Map
• Updated Kitchen, hard wood floors
• Charming Breakfast Room area
• Formal Living Room (brick surround fireplace) and Formal Dining Room, hard wood floors
• Approximate 4400 square feet as indicated by Appraisal
• Unfinished rooms over Master Suite and Garage for potential expansion
• Community Features: Minutes to King of Prussia Mall/Corporate Centers; Center City Philadelphia, Gladwyne, Bryn Mawr, Main Line Pa Shopping delights; Lower Merion Schools: Gladwyne Elementary, Welsh Valley Middle School and Harriton High School.

Note: All property information deemed accurate, but subject to errors and omission; buyers encouraged to do due diligence, surveys and inspections as needed.

©Judy Peterson Real Estate Photography and Design

• Waterloo Gardens Pet Night With Santa – December 8, 2011 at the Exton and Devon locations from 6pm to 8pm. Bring your pets and a camera to have their photo taken with Santa. Children’s Photo’s With Santa December 10, 11, 17 and 18th from 1-3pm. Bring your own camera.
• The Longwood Gardens Christmas features a Gingerbread Fantasy this year. Note that tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific day and time. – November 24, 2011-January 8, 2012
• Breakfast With Santa At Longwood – December 10, 11, 17 and 18th 8:30am to 10am at the Terrace Restaurant for a breakfast buffet and a visit with Santa
• Festive Christmas Fountain Shows in the Open Air Theatre at Longwood featuring holiday music. Shows are every hour from 10:00am to 3:00pm and again at 10:00pm except for Sunday’s Show which is 9:00pm
• The annual classic Pennsylvania Ballet production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is one of the greatest traditions of the holiday season at the Academy of Music – December 10 through December 31st at the Academy of Music 

• The Macy’s Holiday Light Show is a Center City Philadelphia holiday tradition featuring the historic Wanamaker Organ Concert and more than 100,000 lights – November 25th through Christmas Eve from 10am to 5pm. The Dickens Village brings the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol to life with fully animated characters reenacting  the story.
• A special free call from Santa for your little ones when you enter your information into the Christmas Dialer.
• The Radnor Hotel host the Children’s Holiday Tea December 10 and December 17thy
• The Philadelphia Orchestra presents the Glorious Sound of Christmas Concerts December 15, 16 and 17th 2011 at 7pm. The Messiah will be performed December 18th at 7:30pm, an annual tradition since 1961.
• Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge performs seasonal music of Advent and Christmas Saturday December 17th at 4pm.

Baking holiday breads, many varieties of cookies, gingerbread houses and in December of 2004 we added this fun to decorate and delicious to eat Frosty The Snowman Cake. What’s your favorite family tradition? Know of any other fun things to do in our neighborhood. Add them to the comments or send me an email and I’ll post them here.

Or feel free to call me, Judy Peterson 610-889-5509 with all your real estate questions.

Tredyffrin 

Median Sold and For Sale Prices Tredyffrin/Easttown Township: 

• Comparing November of 2010 to November of 2011, shows that the Median Sold price was up 14.5% from $380,000 to $435,000 in 2011, while
• the Median For Sale Price was down only .2% from $449,950 to $449,000.
• Our local Tredyffrin Easttown homes under contract compares favorably with the National Pending Home Sales Index for the month of October 2011. Updated stats will be available the end of this month. 

Months Supply of Inventory for homes Under Contract Increased 16.9% from 2010 to November 2011 in Tredyffrin/Easttown:

• 2010 Homes Under Contract was 9.9 months
• 2011 Homes Under Contract was 11.5 months

Months supply of Inventory For Tredyffrin-Easttown Sold Homes dropped 19.6%:

• 2010 Homes Sold MSI 9.6 months
• 2011 Homes Sold MSI 7.7 Months

In the past 12 months, 370 homes have sold in Tredyffrin Township and 133 homes have sold in Easttown Township, which once again illustrates how all real is Local. 7.7 Months for Sold Homes is still a Buyers Market but not as much so as a year ago. 

 Morning Moon Walk :

It was a beautiful, clear day for Daisy’s early morning walk as the sun was beginning to rise. Just as I turned around to follow Daisy, I was startled by the beauty of a silvery moon hovering over the trees. I ran for my camera hoping to capture a bit of the magical light emanating from the sun and the moon being in the morning sky at the same time. Thanksgiving and November – a good time to count blessings and be grateful!

Gingerbread House Fun at The Easttown Library – Tuesday and Wednesday, November 29th and November 30th 4:15pm – 5:15pm-Pre-registration is $10.00 a person.

The Willow’s Mansion Antique Gift and Craft Extravaganza 11/18/201 – December 4, 2011- 490 Darby Paoli Road, Villanova – Mon to Fri 10am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sun 10am to 6pm -Holiday Crafts and Gifts will be featured in addition to an Art Gallery and collectibles. Admission is $3.00 484-582-1166

Wayne Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – Friday, December 2nd – 5:30 to 7:30pm, with face painting, carriage rides and tree lighting at the Wayne Train Station

Wayne Santa Parade, Saturday, December 3rd 10am – Parade begins at the Wayne Acme and Ends at the Wayne Hotel – visit with Santa on the front porch of the Wayne Hotel until 11:30am.

Malvern’s Annual Victorian Christmas – Friday December 2nd (6pm to 9pm) and Saturday December 3rd (10am to 2pm) – Purchase tickets at the Malvern Federal Savings Bank at 100 W King Street beginning 11/16/11, featuring free horse and carriage rides, the Philadelphia Boys’ Choir. Be sure to check the itinerary for dates and times.

Devon December Christmas Tree Sale – December 2nd, 3rd and 4th and December 9th, 10th and 11th in the Devon Horse Show Parking Lot on Route 30 featuring Devon Fudge, Hot chocolate and special treats! Fridays 4:30 to 7:30pm, Saturdays 8:30am to 6pm and Sundays 10am to 4:00pm

A “Seussified Christmas Carol” Presented by The Conestoga High School Drama Club at Tredyffrin Library – Saturday December 3rd 2:00pm and 7:00pm – Admission $3.00 at the Tredyffrin Public Library in Strafford on Upper Gulph Road, or call 610-688-7092.

Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Parade – Saturday December 10th 1pm-3pm on Lancaster Avenue beginning at Gable Ave and going East to Whiteland Avenue/Route 113, featuring discounts by local merchants and the award winning Downingtown Marching Band and string bands.

Old Fashioned Christmas Parade in West Chester and the “Jingle Elf Run”, tree lighting ceremony at 6:15pm with a Christmas Parade at 7:15pm

A Brandywine Christmas starts at Brandywine River Museum December 3rd, 9:30am to 4:30pm, with O-gauge model railroad and charming natural “critter ornaments” made by the museum volunteers, plus a new dollhouse display. Ends January 8th.

The Wayne Art Center at 413 Maplewood Avenue in Wayne, 610 688-3553’s “CraftForms 2011” Begins December 2nd through January 21st

Friday, December 2, 2011 and Saturday December 3rd

The Kimberton Waldorf School presents the 35th Annual Juried Craft Show beginning December 2, 2011 from 6pm–10pm, Adults Only and Saturday December 3rd from 10am-5pm for Adults and Children. Friday December 2nd, there will be fine dining in the Tea Room, Live Music and more! 

 Over 70 Fine Artisans will be presenting textiles, Jewelry, Pottery, Woodwork, Metalwork, Gourmet Foods and Handmade Toys.

 When: Friday, December 2nd 6-10pm Adults Only, $10 Admission and Saturday December 3rd, 10am–5pm, Adult Admission $5, Children Free. Special Children’s Festivities on Saturday feature a Crafters Room and more!

  Where: Kimberton Waldorf School 410 W Seven Stars Road, Kimberton, Pa 19442

It’s time to look forward to one of my favorite events The 7th Annual Tredyffrin Township Historic House Tour, Saturday, September 24th 12 Noon – 5pm. I always enjoy being an Historic House Tour Volunteer where I get to share some of our rich history with my neighbors on a beautiful Fall Day. Stop and say hello. But get your Tredyffrin Historic House Tour Tickets early since no tickets are sold at the door.

I believe that each of us stands on the shoulders of those who came before us in a way that often inspires a sense of gratitude. My family history has a few threads of it’s beginnings in Chester County and Tredyffrin Township. My Great Grandfather attended the Diamond

Rock One Room School House on Yellow Springs and Diamond Rock Road as a child. And my Grandmother related that she was engaged to be married at the Covered Bridge in Valley Forge Historic National Park, which I believe to be Knox Bridge.

Where:

Please Note ‘New’ Pick-up Location for House Tour Tickets:
Montessori Children’s House of Valley Forge-Ivy Hollow Farm
1630 Thomas Road, Wayne, PA 19087
(located in Valley Forge National Historic Park)
House Tour Ticket Pick-Up: 11 AM – 2 PM
House Tour Hours: 12 Noon – 5 PM

When: September 24th 12Noon – 5pm

Benefits: $35.00 Tour Tickets Benefits Restoration of the Jones Log Barn

Contact: Pattye Benson, President  610-644-6759 with any questions.

Five Realtors will present a Progressive Luncheon Open House Tour featuring 9 Listings in the Old Forge Crossing Condominium Community on Tuesday 8/23/11 from 11am – 2pm. Stop By for light refreshments. I’ll be serving yummy Chocolate Brownies at my listing at 161 Old Forge Crossing in Devon, Pa 19333.

161 Old Forge Crossing on Devon State Rd, first entrance from Rt 202 is a delightful first floor Condominium Home featuring real Hardwood Floors, new upgraded Gas Stove and fresh decorating. The location is ideal with private views, located adjacent to the Tennis Courts, the private Clubhouse and the community Pool. From the 202 entrance, drive straight back past the Clubhouse to “Old Glory” Building #11 on the left.

Thinking About Winning at Real Estate With An Investment Property or Owning Your Own Home?

Do you work at Vanguard, Chesterbrook Corporate Center, Great Valley Corporate Corporate Center or King of Prussia? Take a lunch hour break and stop by and say hello. Follow the balloons, pick up a map of the 9 home tours. Visit one or all. You might just find a new home or a great investment opportunity!

Realtors on Brokers Tour who sign into all 9 featured homes will be entered into a Gas Cards Gift Raffle!

The meltdown that passed for Summer in Tredyffrin Township broke a few“heat wave” records for all of Philadelphia. Be careful not to miss the belated Summer gift of the popular Cool Beans Band Concert at The Pavilion in Wilson Farm Park. The rescheduled concert will be a welcome transition into the month of September.

Wilson Farm Park is off of Lee Road and Chesterbrook Blvd,Tredyffrin Township, September 11, 2011 at 6pm. Bring a chair or a blanket. See you there! Be sure to say hello. Daisy’s the cute one. Thanks to Horizon, Main Line Health and Paoli Hospital for sponsoring these popular Tredyffrin events.

Call Judy Peterson, Realtor Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors, Devon Home Marketing Center 610-889-5509.

Other Fun Things To Do:

• Fun Things To Do End of Summer 2011

I have always enjoyed photography. In fact I can well remember the Christmas morning excitement as a kid when I got my first “Brownie” Camera and three rolls of film.

I do my own Real Estate Photography and also sometimes do photography work for other Realtors®. Good Real Estate Marketing begins with good Real Estate Photography.

Real estate photography has become increasingly important with the growth of social media sharing sites like Twitter and Facebook and property search portals like Realtor. com, Trulia and Zillow. 98% of all home buyers begin their home search online. Home buyers browse for homes on the internet using mobile devices like  iPhones and other smart phones.

My Best Real Estate Photography Tips:

• Tip #1 is to calculate the time of day that the sun will be shining on the front of the house.  My favorite iPhone and iPad Apps for real estate photography are LightTrac and Focalware.
• For most homes the best time of day is in the morning before noon. I like to avoid what I call the Harry Potter look of cast shadows.
• Try to plan photos to show the best angle of the room. With the Sellers permission, we might do some light “staging” to remove distractions. If I’m working for another Realtor®, I share my “21 Tips To Prepare For a Real Estate Photo Shoot” beforehand.
• Sometimes Sellers have a favorite room or view and I ask about that and I try to include it.
• A Telephoto Lens comes in handy to feature unique architectural details.
• I’m constantly on the lookout for my reflection or flashback in mirrors, glass cabinetry, glass mounted photos and windows. What not to do was etched in my memory the first time I got home and saw my reflection in the otherwise perfect photo of the Dining Room.
• Open doors, especially French Doors, should be closed to avoid that about to take off, “flying room” look
• I’m usually shooting with my Wide Angle Lens and ALWAYS straighten and correct any vertical distortions in editing.
• MLS Photos look best if a little lighter and brighter than usual. While I don’t shoot RAW photos for real estate, I do the next largest file size because I want my photos fill the screen in good resolution when viewed. 
• Sometimes it seems like the best shot involves shooting near or into a window, so I use off camera flash to equalize the light.
• Photoshop helps me put the icing on the cake. It’s where I tweak and lighten, brighten and straighten every photograph and sometimes even remove cars and trash cans! But never power lines. That’s a story for another day. . .

I still have my first digital camera, a Kodak DC4800. It was better than any of the “point and shoot” cameras for real estate photography, but it can’t hold a candle to the Nikon Digital SLR’s and a wide angle lens. The Sigma 10-20mm Lens is so good, I feel like it can almost see around corners!

Call me, Judy Peterson Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors when you’re ready to buy or sell real estate in the Philadelphia Main Line areas of Chester County, Delaware County and Montgomery County. I love “making you look good”. 

Previous Real Estate Photography Posts:

• 3 Home Staging Mistakes To Avoid
•  Photography For Real Estate Listings