Congratulations on your decision to sell your home and hiring a photographer to capture it! In the words of Elsa, "Let it go!". Studies have shown that buyers choose the homes they want to see based on the quality and quantity of pictures they see online. In order for me to get the best possible images of your home, I’ll need your help.  Here are some things you can do to prepare your home for a photo shoot:

General

**Great tips for the whole home**

  • 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
  • It would be great if you can 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 treatments to let in outside light
  • Remove personal photographs (or replace with general landscape/object photographs)
  • Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring
  • Place all shoes/jackets in closets
  • If the garage has some cool shelving, I will probably photograph it

 

Exterior

**Get that 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
  • Tidy up those water hoses
  • Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.
  • Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions

 

Interior

**This includes everything inside. The goal is to make it shine!**

Kitchen/Dining/Living

  • Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.
  • Leave out max of one or two small appliances (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, also do this on countertops with seating if you can! 
  • Feature one center piece such as a bouquet of flowers
  • Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
  • Remove child seats/booster chairs
  • Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.
  • De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth 
  • Clean interior of fireplace
  • Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
  • Remove kid's toys (at least half, I have small kids, I know it's hard, but after you move think of how much they will love their "new" toys!)

Bedrooms

  • Make beds, including decorative pillows/shams if available
  • 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
  • Remove wall stickers/posters
  • If the closets are awesome walk-ins, I will probably photograph them so try and keep them tidy

 

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, folded towels. Hanging towels on a hook makes them  look used. 
  • Remove floor mats

 

Pets

  • Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet
  • Place pet beds/toys in the garage if possible
  • Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair
  • Keep your pets in hidden crate or outside, but remember, I need to photograph outside too 
  • Clear back yard of land mines and toys

 

As much as I would love to help you stage your home, I am not quite as talented in that aspect. So here is a short list of things I don't do:

  • Move or re-arrange furniture
  • Make beds, clean, dust or de-clutter
  • Pick up toys or yard items
  • "Photoshop" vehicles, walls, damaged walls, power lines, wall pictures, cords, etc.
  • Touch personal bathroom supplies (shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant, towels, dirty clothes)
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