It happens in bed at 11 PM ✨

Three times, I saw then scrolled on by a house online that I later fell in love with and bought. It kept coming up in my search, but it didn't "call my name" from the first few photos, so I didn't look any further. Only after two friends sent me the link did I even venture to look more at the rest of the photos.

Oh my gosh, I almost missed out on it as a buyer! (...and I'm sure the sellers were glad, too!)

When was the last time you thought about preparing a home specifically for photography, not just in-person showings? Most agents don't. They may focus on making sure the house looks neat and tidy.

But here's what they're missing: The first showing doesn't happen in person. It happens online.

It's 11 PM and buyers are scrolling Zillow in bed. Your listing pops up. In 2.3 seconds they'll decide: Keep scrolling or click for more photos? And that decision is based entirely on how your listing photographs, and what is IN the photographs.

There's a difference. A room can look light in person but photograph like a dark cave. A space can feel large in person but look cramped online. A home can connect emotionally in person but look stale in photos.

Online, you don't get the benefit of walking buyers through the story of the house, explaining things, setting context. You get one shot, one thumbnail, maybe two if you're lucky, so it's a slim window for a great first impression. And if that first impression doesn't stop the scroll? They're gone.

The Takeaway for you: So how do you prep specifically for photography? You think like a marketer. From what angle will the main photos be taken? Try them with your phone yourself — what do you see?

• Pay special attention to light. Is this room bright enough to photograph well? Natural light is king, but if a room is dark, you need lamps on, curtains open, and lights turned on before the photographer arrives.

• Watch for clutter. One random item, especially in a bright color, can alter the focus of an entire room, so make sure it draws the eye only to important features.

• Think about scale. Does this room feel appropriately sized online? Empty rooms can look smaller or larger (if a very wide-angle lens is used). A bed in a bedroom shows scale. A rug under a dining table defines the space.

This is what separates good listings from great listings. When you prep with photography in mind, you're not just making homes look better — you're making them irresistible to the buyer scrolling at midnight, to the couple comparing 20 listings at once. You're marketing. And marketing wins.

Because that's where the first showing happens. And first impressions are everything. 💙