WHY IT MATTERS

Your first showing happens online.
Strong photos make all the difference. Here’s how to prepare.

EXTERIORS

Often the first photo your buyer will see is an exterior shot. Think curb appeal!

› Close garage doors

› Remove cars from driveway and front of home

› Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)

› Remove empty planters

› Use broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames

› Remove visible water hoses

› Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.

BACKYARDS

› 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

INTERIORS

› 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 Daylight or all Soft Yellow. Avoid different kinds of bulbs. Example: Fluorescent + LED on Same room)

› 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

KITCHENS

People spend a lot of time looking at kitchen shots. This is where yes or no decisions are often made

› Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.

› Leave out max of one small appliance (ex. coffee maker)

› Clear outside the refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.

› Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet

› Remove dishes from sink, place in dishwasher

DINING ROOMS

Let them imagine a nice family meal here

› 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

FAMILY / LIVING ROOMS

› Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.

› Declutter 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

PRIMARY 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

GUEST / KID'S ROOMS

› Remove personalized names from walls

› Remove wall stickers/posters

› Remove diaper genies

› Clean under 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

PETS

We love pets! But their presence should be minimal during the photoshoot

› 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

› Clear back yard of pet waste/toys