Home Preparation Guide

A well-prepared home ensures the best possible real estate photos. Follow these steps to get your space camera-ready before our photographer arrives.

General Home Preparation

  • 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 light 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

Exterior & Front/Back Yard

  • Close garage doors
  • Remove cars from driveway and front of home
  • Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)
  • Remove empty planters
  • Use broom or blower to clean driveways, walkways, and patios
  • Remove visible water hoses
  • Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.
  • Clean porch, tidy up outdoor furniture with cushions in place
  • 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 trash cans from visible areas

Kitchen & Dining

  • Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.
  • Leave max of one small appliance (like a 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

  • Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.
  • De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (leave max of 5 items, including art)
  • Clean interior of fireplace and re-paint if needed
  • Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
  • Remove kid's toys

Bedrooms & Bathrooms

  • 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 mirrors and glass surfaces
  • Clear countertops completely (no soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.)
  • Leave out only decorative items
  • Clear showers/tubs of all personal items (shampoo, soaps, loofahs, razors, etc.)
  • Clean tile, grout, and tub surfaces
  • Remove dirty towels - leave only new, unused towels
  • Remove floor mats

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 or outside
  • Clear back yard of pet waste/toys

Pro Tip

The photographer will be moving quickly to capture your home in its best light. Having everything prepared before their arrival ensures they can focus purely on getting the perfect shots rather than moving items.