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How to Prepare for Your Listing Photos

Is Your Home "Camera-Ready"?


The vast majority of home shoppers today begin their search online. That means the first impression most potential buyers will have of your home will be based on your listing photos. Your listing photos will affect a potential buyer's opinion of your home and the listing price.

Here is a checklist to ensure your home will look its absolute best!

General Tips Throughout

  • Thoroughly clean entire home (vacuum all carpets, mop all hard floors, clean all countertops, furniture, and windows)

  • Replace all burned out bulbs

  • If possible, all light bulbs should be the same color temperature. Interior bulbs with a temperature between 2800K and 4000K look best in photos.

  • Have all window treatments open. Blinds and drapes should all be even.

  • Remove personal photographs and photographs of children (or replace with generic landscape/still life photos

  • Remove all noticeable political and religious images, posters, artifacts

  • Remove all small rugs and mats to reveal actual flooring

  • Remove/hide all trash cans

  • Remove/hide all indications of pets, including pet supplies, cages and toys

  • If possible remove all children's toys

  • Remove as much general clutter as possible, including shoes, jackets, wires, etc.

  • Close all closet doors

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Exterior Tips

Front Exterior

This is usually the very first photo potential buyers will see!

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  • Close all garage doors and front door

  • Remove all cars from driveway and in front of home

  • Hide all trash cans and debris from view

  • Clean up landscaping (mow lawn, trim shrubs, rake leaves, etc)

  • Remove any visible cobwebs from eaves, windows and doorways

  • Remove all toys, bikes, pet supplies, sports equipment, garden tools and other loose items from porch and front yard

  • Remove visible water hoses

Back Yard

  • Clean deck/patio, tidy up outdoor furniture

  • Remove cover from BBQ grill and open patio umbrella if there is one

  • Hide all trash cans and debris from view

  • Clean up landscaping (mow lawn, trim shrubs, rake leaves, etc)

  • Remove all toys, bikes, pet supplies, sports equipment, garden tools and other loose items from yard

  • Remove visible water hoses

  • Clean pool

  • Remove all pool supplies, chemicals, vacuum, hoses, etc

  • Turn on pool fountains/water features

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Interior Tips

Kitchen

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  • Clear countertops completely (No knife blocks, cooking supplies, mail, etc)

  • Leave maximum one small appliance (ie. coffee maker)

  • Remove all fingerprints from stainless steel appliances and other shiny surfaces

  • Clear refrigerator and other appliances of magnets, loose papers, mail, photos, coupons, etc

  • Remove dishes from sink and hide all cleaning supplies, sponges, etc
  • Remove/hide trash cans and floor mats

Dining Room

  • Clear table; dust and polish tabletop

  • Place one decorative centerpiece if available

  • Straighten all chairs and space evenly

  • Remove booster seats, high chairs, toys, pet items, loose wires, etc

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Living / Family Rooms

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  • Remove stacks of magazines, mail, papers, etc

  • Clean fireplace interiors and repaint if needed

  • De-clutter all shelves, mantles and tables

  • Fluff and arrange furniture and pillows

  • Remove all children's toys, pet items, loose wires, etc

Bedrooms

  • Make beds with decorative pillows/shams if available

  • Iron bed linens and skirts. Pull tightly after making beds to remove wrinkles

  • Clear all night stands and dressers of all clutter and personal items including photos, alarm clocks, Kleenex, phone chargers, jewelry, etc

  • Remove family photos from walls

  • Clean under beds; remove shoes and all items that may be seen in the photos

  • Remove personalized names from walls, posters, stickers, etc

  • Remove diaper genies, baby supplies

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Bathrooms

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  • Clear countertops completely. No soap, tooth brushes, deodorant, etc

  • Remove ALL personal hygene items from showers and tubs, including shampoo, soap, sponges, brushes, etc

  • Put toilet lid down and remove shag cover, if any

  • Remove everything from the floor, including trash can, toilet brush, plunger, floor mats, etc

  • Remove all dirty or used towels. Leave only fresh clean towels

Laundry

  • Remove all laundry supplies including detergent, fabric softener, etc

  • Remove folded laundry, all loose clothing

  • Remove laundry baskets, hampers, hangers, racks, etc

  • Remove all children's toys, pet items, sporting equipment, shoes, jackets, etc

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The Photo Shoot

How Long Will It Take?

The average home takes about 2-1/2 hours to photograph
and should be done during daylight hours.

Cancellation

To ensure the best possible photos of your home, we may, at our discretion, cancel and reschedule in case of inclement weather. There is no cancellation fee for photo shoots rescheduled due to inclement weather.

Prior to photographer's arrival, please DO the following:

  • Have all cleaning, staging and arranging completed

  • Turn ON all lights and lamps throughout the entire home

  • Turn OFF all ceiling fans (leave lights on)

  • Turn OFF all TVs and computer monitors

  • Open blinds and window treatments to allow natural light inside and make sure all blinds and treatments are even.

  • Rmove all vehicles from garage, driveway, and front of house

Our Photographers DO NOT:

  • Move or rearrange furniture, or provide staging services

  • Pick up toys, pet supplies or yard items

  • Touch personal bathroom items

  • "Photoshop" to remove vehicles, wall damage, power lines, pictures, sloppy wires, refrigerator magnets, clutter, etc

  • Remove our shoes. Booties can be worn over shoes if supplied by the homeowner

  • Interact with pets or children

Questions about Your Photo Shoot?

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