Preparing Your Home for a Real Estate Photo Project
Generally Speaking
▪ 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 coverings to let in natural, outside light
▪ Remove excessive personal photographs and declutter
▪ Make all beds.
▪ Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring.
▪ Place all shoes/jackets in closets.
Front Exterior
AIM FOR “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 or replace dead plants.
▪ Use broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames
▪ Remove visible water hoses
▪ Remove clutter- toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.
The Back Yard
THE BACK YARD SHOULD BE A PLACE TO RELAX
▪ Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions
▪ Clear out kid's toys, balls, frisbees, etc.
▪ Clean pools/ hot tubs ect.
▪ Turn on pool fountains/water features
▪ Remove visible water hoses
▪ Remove trash cans
The Kitchen
THE KITCHEN IS A GATHERING PLACE AND OFTEN A FOCAL POINT OF THE HOME.
▪ Clear countertops completely. No empty glasses, baking supplies, mail, etc.
▪ Leave out max of one -two small appliance (ex. coffee maker)
▪ Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
▪ Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
▪ Remove dishes from sink, place in dishwasher
▪ 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
THIS SPACE IS TO ENJOY CONVERSATION AND SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS
- 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
Bedrooms
MASTER BEDROOM-A RELAXING OASIS
- 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
KID/GUEST BEDROOM
- Remove personalized names from walls
- Remove wall stickers/posters
- Remove diaper pails and cleaning supplies
- Clean under bed, removing items that may show
Bathrooms
THINK SPA. CLEAR OUT THE PERSONAL ITEMS AND MINIMIZE FOR EFFECT.
- 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 ALL LOVE MAN’S BEST FRIEND, BUT YOU’LL WANT TO MINIMIZE THEIR IMPACT
- 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