Online
It’s where buyers and renters start
The majority of home buyers and renters 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.
Selling or renting your home is like selling a product – it must be marketed correctly to reach a specific buyer or renter. Although your furnishings and decor are great for your lifestyle, it’s important to optimize your home for maximum appeal to the future buyer or tenant.
General
Tips for all areas in the home
- 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
Online “curb appeal” – the front exterior is usually the first photo buyers see
- Close garage doors
- Remove cars from driveway and front of home
- Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)
- Remove empty planters
- Sweep driveways, walkways and patios
- Use broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames
- Remove visible water hoses
- Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.
- Remove trash cans
Back Yard
The back yard should be an oasis to relax
- Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions
- Sweep walkways and patio area
- 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 and fire features
- Remove visible water hoses
- Remove trash cans
Kitchen
The kitchen deserves attention to detail
- Clear countertops except for the best looking items for staging. No food, knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.
- Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
- Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
- Remove dishes from sink, place in dishwasher
- Hide dish soap, sponges and towels
- Remove floor mats
Dining Room / Table
Allow buyers to imagine a nice family meal
- 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 / Family Room
The space to enjoy conversation, relax and spend quality time with family
- Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.
- De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than 5 items, including art)
- Hide remote controls and exposed TV wiring
- Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
- Remove kid’s toys
Bedrooms
Rest for you and guests
- 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 trash cans/diaper genies from sight
Bathrooms
To be spa-like, the bathroom must be clear of all personal items
- Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.
- Put toilet lids 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, they rarely look good in photos due to the camera angles needed for bathrooms.
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, outside or out of the home
- Clear backyard of pet waste/toys
Community Common Areas
- If community or building photos have been requested, the homeowner may need to contact the HOA or management company in advance to get permission to photograph common areas.
- The photographer will not photograph community areas while people are using the spaces, especially gyms or pools.
What to Expect
Expectation During the Photo Shoot
The house should be shoot-ready when the photographer arrives
- If the home is not ready, please reschedule at least 24 hours before your scheduled photo shoot. You will not have time to tidy up or do any staging after the photographer arrives.
- If video or 3D tours are being captured along with photos, there may be 2 photographers working at the same time in opposite areas of the home and yard.
- Interior shots usually take 10-20 minutes per 1000 square feet. 3D tours, video, drone photography, etc will increase the time needed.
- Occupants and pets should avoid getting in the picture including shadows, reflections, and through windows.
Do not expect the photographer to do any of the following:
- Move or re-arrange furniture
- Be liable for window treatments that fall apart or break during normal operation.
- Make beds, clean, dust or de-clutter
- Pick up toys, yard items, or pool vac/hoses
- “Photoshop” vehicles, walls, damaged walls, power lines, wall pictures, cords, etc.
- Touch personal bathroom supplies (shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant, towels)
- Wait while you tidy up or move things from room to room
- Come back later to re-shoot any areas that were not photo-ready
