First impressions count!
Here are a few tips to help you prepare your house before the real estate photographer arrives for the shoot.
General tips
- Make sure the house is neat and tidy, stow away any items that you do not want in the images of your house;
- Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON;
- Replace all burned out light bulbs;
- 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). Where this is not possible, ask the photographer to blur your personal pictures which might end up in the photographs;
- Make all beds(!);
- Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring;
- Place all shoes/jackets in closets.
Outside of the house
- Close garage doors;
- Remove cars from driveway and front of home;
- Remove empty planters;
- Use broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames;
- Remove visible water hoses;
- Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc;
- Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions;
- Pillows/cushions should be fresh, not faded;
- 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 visible water hoses;
- Remove trash cans.
Kitchen
- Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc;
- Leave out max of one 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.
Dining room
- 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 room
- 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
- 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;
- Remove personalized names from walls;
- Remove wall stickers/posters;
- Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos.
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;
- Remove floor mats.
Tips with thanks to http://www.prepmyhomeforsale.com