Online, it's where the buying process starts. 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 real estate photography.

GENERAL TIPS

• Thoroughly clean whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean countertops, 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
• Open blinds/window treatments to let in outside light
• 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
  
  

  FRONT EXTERIOR

• Close garage doors Remove cars from driveway and front of the home
• Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)
• Remove empty planters
• Use a broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames
• Remove visible water hoses
• Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.
  
  

  BACKYARD

• Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions
• Pillows/cushions should be fresh, not faded
• Clear out kid's toys, balls, frisbees, etc.
• Clean pool Remove pool vacuum/cleaner hose
• Hide pool cleaning supplies Turn on pool fountains/water features
• Remove visible water hoses
• Remove trash cans
  
  

  KITCHEN

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

  DINING ROOM / TABLE

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

  LIVING / FAMILY 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
  
  

  MASTER BEDROOM

• 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 the bed, removing items that may show in the photos
  
  

  KID/GUEST BEDROOM

• Remove personalized names from walls
• Remove wall stickers/posters
• Remove diaper genies
• Clean under the bed, removing items that may show in the photos
  
  

  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
  
  

  FUR BABIES

• Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet
• Place pet beds/toys in pantry or closet
• Use a lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair
• Clear backyard of pet waste/toys

  The tips above are best practices to prepare your home for real estate photography. Staging is an alternative service that makes this process painless and simple. Our stats show that a properly staged home sells faster and for a higher amount versus if you did not prepare your home for real estate photography.