Preparing Your Home for the Photographer

There are a lot of moving parts in getting your home ready to put on the market and preparing your home for the photographer to take pictures is just one step, but a big one. Professional photos of your home will help drive potential buyers to your house and you want your home to be shown in the best possible way.

In preparing your house for the photo shoot please prepare your home with the following in mind.

General

  • Replace burned out bulbs and make sure your bulbs match, not only the types of bulbs but the color temperature of the bulbs
  • Turn on all lights in the house including lamps, ceiling fan lights, can lights etc.
  • Turn off all ceiling fans
  • Clean windows inside and out
  • Stash any and all children’s toys.
  • If you have temporary child fencing, take it down for the photo shoot.
  • Remove pet bowls, toys and litter boxes from rooms that will be photographed.
  • Put away newspapers and magazines.
  • Make sure all light bulbs work. Clean light bulbs and light fixtures to remove dust.
  • If you are going to be home, help the photographer by keeping pets and people out of the way.
  • Open window coverings to let in the natural light and neighborhood views (turn vertical and Venetian blinds to open position).
  • Remove / hide any personal items such as family photos, identification of personal information such as certificates, diplomas etc.
  • MOST IMPORTANTLY: De-clutter your home!
Image of an upstairs nice room with a ceiling fan

Kitchen

  • Take off any items which may be taped or otherwise fastened to the refrigerator.
  • Remove everything from sinks including soap dispensers, dishes etc.
  • Hide trash cans from kitchen if visible.
  • Remove all you can from countertops in kitchen to include (bread, dishes, dishtowels, paper napkin holders, phones, answering machines etc.) You want your kitchen to look as clean as possible and decluttered.
Picture of a kitchen with bar stools

Bathrooms

  • Clean all mirrors in bathrooms
  • Remove toothpaste, toothbrushes including electric, combs, soap, toiletries, hand towels, etc.) Decorative hand towels in bathroom are OK as long as they are hung straight.
  • Remove shampoo, conditioner and anything else including washcloths and sponges from the shower stalls and bathtubs.
  • If bathroom rugs are not in good shape or hide a nice floor, remove them
  • Remove trashcans from bathrooms
Picture of a nice bathroom

 Bedrooms

  • Make all beds and tidy up bedrooms.
  • Hide all clothes. Hang them up nicely in closets. Or just stuff them under your bed.
  • Turn on bedside lamps in all rooms.
Picture of a nice bedroom

Outside of Home

  • Remove all vehicles from driveways and try not to park directly in front of the house
  • Get the lawn mowed and edged, the weeds pulled, and leaves picked up and the trees trimmed.
  • If you have a pool or spa, make sure the pool and pool area is sparkling clean. Turn on the pumps for waterfalls/spillways.
  • Roll-up or hide garden hoses and hide all garden tools.
  • Put trash into outside trash bins. Conceal all trash containers
Red Brick Home with Tree