Prepping for Pictures

Preparing for Your Home to be Photographed Prior to Listing

Listing photos are the best way to make a great first impression! In today’s market approximately 85% of home searches are done online, so attractive listing photos that showcase the features of your home will draw in more potential buyers.

Before the listing appointment, take some time and follow these steps. By doing so, you will ensure your home’s features shine through!

Exteriors

Your home’s curb appeal is the first impression buyers get! Make it a great one by following the steps below:

• Close garage doors
• Remove cars from driveway & front of home
• Clean up landscaping (mow, trim, rake)
• Remove or wind up watering hoses
• Clean up dog waste
• Remove any tie outs
• Store trash cans in garage or shed
• Clear now from driveways, walks & decks
• Clean deck furniture, straighten & tidy cushions
• Clean pool, remove cover and store hoses (if applicable)
• Remove kid’s and dog’s outdoor toys

Interiors

• Open window shades or curtains
• Turn on lights in each room
• Replace any burnt out bulbs
• Hide all shoes & coats from entry
• Clean the windows
• Extra: Fresh flowers or greenery make a great impression!

Living | Family | Great Room

• Remove stacks of magazines, papers, and remotes
• De-clutter fireplace mantle and any end tables
• Arrange furniture pillows neatly
• Remove toys and store away video games

Dining Room

• Clear table & dust
• Straighten all chairs
• Remove high chairs & booster seats
• Extra: Stage the table with dishes, place mats, linens, glasses & silverware

Kitchen

• Clear off counter tops completely
• Clear off refrigerator
• Hide garbage cans in closet or pantry
• Put all dishes away
• Remove rags & sponges from sink
• Remove area rugs to showcase flooring

Bedrooms

• Make beds
• Tuck in all sheets, straighten comforters
• Clear nightstands of personal items, remotes
• Hide all computer & phone chargers
• Remove clutter from tops of dressers
• Clean under bed, remove items that may show
• Remove posters/stickers from walls & doors

Bathrooms

• Clear off counters completely
• Put toilet seats down
• Close cabinet doors
• Remove shampoo, soap, razors, etc from showers & tubs
• Leave out neatly arranged, clean or new towels
• Empty visible garbage cans
• Remove towels and robes from back of doors
• Remove area rugs to showcase flooring

Pets

As much as we love our pets, there should be no evidence of them in your listing pictures.

• Store away food bowls, beds, litter boxes & toys
• Remove hair from furniture

Hide your dirty secrets!

The photographer will not be taking pictures of the inside of most closets (sometimes master closets are photographed if the closet is a selling feature of the home), inside your washer, dryer or dishwasher, or the inside of your shed, so these are places you can store things without worrying.

Please be sure to bring up any questions or concerns with your listing agent while photos are being taken. If you feel like you could use some professional help in any of these areas, we would be happy to connect you with reliable companies our clients have received great service from in the past.