Preparing Your Home for Photographs

Exterior

The front exterior shot of your home will be the very first image that buyers see on home search websites. Before scheduling photographs of your property, make sure that the lawn is mowed, flower beds are weeded, and any other yard maintenance is taken care of. Walkways, patios and decks should be swept, lawns should be raked in the fall, and snow should be shoveled from the driveway and walkways in the winter. Store any hoses, yard equipment, trash and recycling bins in the garage and shut the door, and make sure that cars are out of the driveway when the photographer arrives for photos. In the summer, open up any umbrellas and remove grill covers.

Interior

The interior of your home should be as tidy and organized as possible for photographs. It is important to dust, wash windows, vacuum, mop, and take care of any other cleaning that needs to be done. Declutter and put away any personal items, including photos and decor. Some tasteful decor is okay, but too much can make the room feel small and make it harder for buyers to envision themselves in the home. Pets and their food bowls, toys, beds/crates, litter boxes, and other items should be kept out of sight while the photographer is taking photos. If possible, rearrange furniture to make rooms appear as large as possible.

Lighting

The photographer will want as much light as possible in your home when taking photos. Be sure to turn all interior lights and lamps on, replace any burnt out bulbs, open all curtains and blinds, and keep ceiling fans off so they do not appear as a blur in photos. If possible, ensure that all light bulbs have the same color temperature so that your home will have a cohesive tone throughout.

Kitchen

Be sure to remove any papers and clutter from kitchen counters and islands, including small appliances (one or two are fine). The refrigerator should be clear of any lists, photos, magnets, etc, and the sink should be free of any dishes, soaps and sponges.

Bedrooms

All bedrooms should be as tidy as possible. Make all the beds and check the length of the comforter and bed skirts to make sure they are even. Excessive, mismatched decorative pillows and stuffed animals should be removed from the beds, and any items stored under the bed should not be visible from each corner of the room. Be sure to tuck any jewelry, personal items, and other valuables out of sight.

Bathrooms

Make sure to clean all bathrooms as much as possible, especially showers and bathtubs. Counters should be clear of all personal items, shampoos, conditioners, etc. should be removed from showers and tubs, and garbage cans should be concealed. Decorative matching towels should be displayed neatly, and toilet lids should be kept down. We also recommend placing a fresh roll of toilet paper on the holder.