If you want more showings and stronger offers in High Point, start with the photos. Most buyers begin online, so your first impression happens on a screen, not your porch. You may feel unsure where to focus or how much to spend, but a clear plan can make staging simple and effective. In this guide, you’ll learn how to prep for high-impact photos, create a great in-person experience, and use local High Point resources to your advantage. Let’s dive in.
Why online-first staging matters in High Point
Online is where buyers discover homes. The National Association of REALTORS reports that about 51% of buyers found the home they purchased on the internet, which means your photos and media must do the heavy lifting early in the process. NAR quick stats confirm this trend.
Professional, complete media sets tend to generate more clicks and faster offers. Industry analyses show that quality photography often improves engagement and can speed up sales for many price bands. See Redfin’s summary on how professional real estate photos boost results.
High Point has a unique edge. As a national hub for furniture and design, the city’s Market and showroom ecosystem create better access to staging rentals, local stagers, and quick styling support. Learn a bit about High Point’s furniture legacy and timing for Market weeks here.
Stage for the camera first
Prioritize high-impact rooms
Start where buyers focus most. Surveys highlight the living room as the top staging priority, followed by the primary bedroom and kitchen. If you are budgeting time or dollars, stage these rooms first. See the NAR report summary on staging’s impact on time to sell.
Declutter, depersonalize, and define flow
Remove excess decor, collections, and personal photos so buyers can picture their own lives in the space. Clean deeply, especially kitchens, baths, and windows. Then edit furniture for scale and sightlines so rooms read larger on camera. A simple conversational layout usually photographs best. Agent surveys consistently point to these steps as high ROI; see RealTrends’ overview of staging and prep that reduce days on market.
Neutral color and layered lighting
A fresh neutral paint can unify spaces and feel move-in ready. For photos, turn on overheads and add lamps to avoid dark corners. Balanced, warm lighting helps rooms feel welcoming in images. Learn how lighting and thoughtful editing support better results in PhotoUp’s piece on boosting property sales with better photos.
Photo day checklist
Right before the photographer arrives, open blinds and curtains, turn on all lights, and remove cars and trash bins. Clear countertops and add a few simple accents like fresh towels or a bowl of fruit. If the yard or patio is a selling point, mow, sweep, and tidy for the exterior shots. Redfin outlines helpful day-of tips in their guide to getting the most from professional photos.
Build a complete media set
Must-have visuals that drive clicks
At minimum, include a hero exterior, living room, kitchen, primary bedroom and bath, and the backyard or outdoor living. When layout is a strength, add a floor plan. Drone images can help when the lot is a highlight. A short video walk-through and a 3D tour can significantly increase engagement on listing pages. Redfin’s analysis of professional media and results supports building a robust set.
3D tours for remote and busy buyers
3D tours and digital twins are now mainstream and often increase time-on-page and lead quality. They complement, not replace, great still photos. They are especially useful if your layout is a selling point or if many buyers may tour remotely. See engagement insights in CoStar/Matterport reporting summarized on earningscall.biz.
Smart virtual staging and MLS rules
Virtual staging is a cost-effective way to show scale and function in empty rooms. Transparency is essential. Always label virtually staged images, and never edit out defects or change permanent features. Keep original photos available when required by MLS policy. For ethics and disclosure best practices, see NAR’s guidance on avoiding misleading edits in “Are You ‘Catfishing’ Buyers?”
Prepare for live showings
Create a comfortable, neutral experience
Before each showing, open window coverings, turn on lights, and set the temperature to a comfortable level. Remove strong odors and avoid heavy fragrances. These simple steps keep focus on your home’s best features. See common agent recommendations in RealTrends’ overview of showing and staging practices.
Safety and ease of access
Clear walkways, secure prescription meds and small valuables, and make parking and entry straightforward for the showing agent. Small operational details reduce friction and help your home feel easy to buy.
How staging can influence offers
Agent surveys suggest staging helps buyers visualize a home and can modestly increase offer amounts, with many sellers’ agents also reporting reduced time on market. While results vary, this pattern appears consistently in NAR’s staging research summarized here.
High Point advantages you can use
Tap the furniture and design network
High Point’s furniture ecosystem means access to showrooms, staging inventory, and design pros who understand quick turnarounds. Contact vendors early, especially around the April and October Market dates, to confirm availability and delivery windows. Read about the city’s design heritage here.
Hire local photo and media pros
The Triad offers bundled packages for listing photos, drone, floor plans, and 3D tours. Typical pricing can range from basic photo sets to comprehensive media packages depending on size and add-ons. Always request sample galleries and confirm usage rights and turnaround times in writing. For context on media quality and impact, PhotoUp explains how professional editing supports better sales.
Your staging timeline and checklist
Use this as a quick, practical plan. Adjust for vacant, luxury, or estate sales.
3 to 4 weeks before listing
- Handle simple repairs like leaky faucets and burned-out bulbs. Verify major systems are in good order.
- Declutter and depersonalize. Consider short-term storage for extra furniture.
- Paint high-impact spaces neutral if needed, especially the living room and hallways.
1 to 2 weeks before listing
- Stage priority rooms: living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen. Confirm rental deliveries if using a stager.
- Book a professional photographer. Ask for sample galleries, confirm experience with HDR and twilight, and share your shot list.
1 to 3 days before photos
- Deep clean carpets, windows, baths, and kitchen. Clear counters and remove fridge magnets.
- Style simple accents like pillows and fresh towels. Set the thermostat to a comfortable level.
Photo day
- Leave the house if possible so the photographer can work efficiently.
- Turn on all lights, open blinds, clear driveways and yards, and remove pets.
- Provide keys or codes and a list of features to highlight. Consider a twilight exterior if the lighting is appealing.
After photos, before going live
- Review the gallery and captions. If you used virtual staging, label those images and follow local MLS rules.
- Upload the full media set, including floor plan and 3D tour, to the MLS so all portals display your best assets.
Day of showings and open houses
- Lights on, neutral scent, comfortable temperature. Tidy surfaces and close toilet lids.
- Remove pets and put away small valuables. Leave a simple feature list and recent upgrades for visitors.
Ready to build a tailored staging and media plan for your High Point home? Connect with Lori Teppara for a free valuation and a step-by-step listing strategy.
FAQs
Do professional photos and staging really help in High Point?
- Industry analyses show professional photography and thoughtful staging tend to increase engagement and shorten time on market, with some listings also seeing modest price improvements. See Redfin’s overview of photo quality and results.
Is virtual staging allowed, and what must I disclose?
- Yes, it is widely used, but you must label virtually staged images and avoid edits that change permanent features or hide defects; local MLS and state rules vary, so confirm requirements. NAR addresses transparency in “Are You ‘Catfishing’ Buyers?.”
What if I have a small budget for staging?
- Prioritize professional photos of key rooms, deep cleaning and decluttering, a staged living room and primary bedroom, and a compelling exterior hero shot. These steps usually provide the biggest online lift for the money. See Redfin’s take on maximizing impact with photos.
Should I add a 3D tour for my High Point listing?
- A 3D tour can boost engagement and attract qualified remote or busy buyers; it works best as a complement to great still photos when your layout and flow are selling points. See usage trends summarized on earningscall.biz.
