homeowner Helpful Tips Before Your professional Photo Shoot:

Your Realtor has made the investment in making sure your home stands out among the competition.  They want to give you every advantage in the market to get you to the closing table sooner.

The majority of home buyers start their search online, so it is important to make the first impression count!   Follow these tips to prepare your home for the best real estate photos possible.

Please take the time to prepare your home prior to the photo shoot.  Remember the entire world will see your home so we want it looking its best.  

GENERAL:

  • Thoroughly clean whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean counter tops, clean windows)
  • Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON
  • Replace all burned out light bulbs
  • Use bulbs of the same temperature (ALL incandescent or ALL compact fluorescent)
  • Turn all ceiling fans OFF
  • Turn all TVs OFF
  • Turn all computer screens OFF
  • Remove personal photographs (or replace with general landscape/object photographs)
  • Make all beds
  • Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring
  • Place all shoes/jackets in closets
  • Remove any seasonal/holiday decorations.  This will quickly out date your photos

KITCHEN:

  • Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.
  • Leave out max of one small appliance (ex. coffee maker)
  • Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
  • Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet

DINING ROOM:

  • Clear table, dust and polish the table top
  • Use decorative place setting if available
  • Feature one center piece such as a bouquet of flowers
  • Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
  • Remove child seats/booster chairs

LIVING ROOM:  

  • Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.
  • De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than 5 items, including art)
  • Clean interior of fireplace and re-paint if needed
  • Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
  • Remove kid's toys

BEDROOMS:

  • Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available
  • Press bed linens and bed skirts
  • Clear nightstands of all personal items
  • Store away phone/tablet charging cables
  • Remove all clutter from top of dressers
  • Remove family photos from walls
  • Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos
  • Remove personalized names from walls
  • Remove wall stickers/posters
  • Remove diaper genies

BATHROOMS:

  • Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.
  • Put toilet seats down
  • Close closet doors
  • Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs
  • Remove dirty towels - leave out only new, unused towels
  • Remove floor mats
  • Towels should be neatly positioned to compliment the decor.  

PETS:

  • Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet
  • Place pet beds/toys in pantry or closet
  • Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair
  • Contain pets in hidden crate or outside during photo shoot