Prepare for Photos
Prepping your home to MAXIMIZE photo potential
General
Tips for all areas in the home
Thoroughly Clean the Whole House
Vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean countertops, clean windows
Turn On All Lights
Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON
Replace Burned-Out Light Bulbs
Replace all burned out light bulbs
Use Uniform Bulb Temperature
Use bulbs of the same temperature, ALL incandescent or ALL compact fluorescent
Turn Off Ceiling Fans
Turn all ceiling fans OFF
Use Uniform Bulb Temperature
Use bulbs of the same temperature, ALL incandescent or ALL compact fluorescent
Use Uniform Bulb Temperature
Use bulbs of the same temperature, ALL incandescent or ALL compact fluorescent
Front Exterior
Online “curb appeal”, usually the first photo buyers see
Garage Doors
Close Garage Doors
Driveway and Front
Remove cars from driveway and front of home
Clean Up Landscaping
Clean up landscaping: mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves
Planters
Remove empty planters
Remove Cobwebs
Use broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames
Water Hoses
Remove visible water hoses
Remove Equipment
Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.
Back Yard
The back yard should be an oasis to relax
Clean Porch and Outdoor Furniture
Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions
Refresh Pillows and Cushions
Pillows/cushions should be fresh, not faded
Clear Out Toys and Play Items
Clear out kid’s toys, balls, frisbees, etc.
Clean Pool
Clean Pool
Remove Pool Vacuum/Cleaner Hose
Remove pool vacuum/cleaner hose
Pool Cleaning
Hide pool cleaning supplies
Fountains and Water Features
Turn on pool fountains/water features
Trash Cans
Remove trash cans
Kitchen
Sometimes the focal point, the kitchen deserves attention to detail
Clear Countertops Completely
Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.
Limit to One Small Appliance
Leave out max of one small appliance, such as a coffee maker
Clear Refrigerator Exterior
Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
Hide Garbage Cans
Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
Remove Dishes from Sink
Remove dishes from sink, place in dishwasher
Dining Room / Table
Allow buyers to imagine a nice family meal
Clear and Polish Table
Clear table, dust, and polish the tabletop
Use Decorative Place Setting
Use decorative place setting if available
Feature a Centerpiece
Feature one centerpiece, such as a bouquet of flowers
Straighten and Evenly Space Chairs
Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
Remove Child Seats and Booster Chairs
Remove child seats/booster chairs
Living / Family Room
The space to enjoy conversation and spend quality time with family
Remove Stacks of Magazines and Papers
Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.
De-Clutter Fireplace Mantel and Hearth
De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth, leaving no more than 5 items, including art
Clean and Repaint Fireplace
Clean interior of fireplace and re-paint if needed
Fluff and Arrange Furniture Pillows
Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
Remove Kid’s Toys
Remove kid’s toys
Master Bedroom
A good nights rest recharges the body and mind
Make Bed with Decorative Pillows
Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available
Press Bed Linens and Skirts
Press bed linens and bed skirts
Clear Nightstands
Clear nightstands of all personal items
Store Charging Cables
Store away phone/tablet charging cables
Remove Clutter from Dressers
Remove all clutter from the top of dressers
Remove Family Photos from Walls
Remove family photos from walls
Clean Under the Bed
Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos
Kid/Guest Bedroom
Don’t forget about guest bedrooms
Remove Personalized Names from Walls
Remove personalized names from walls
Remove Wall Stickers and Posters
Remove wall stickers/posters
Remove Diaper Genies
Remove diaper genies
Clean Under the Bed
Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos
Bathrooms
To be spa-like, the bathroom must be clear of all personal items
Clear Bathroom Countertops
Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.
Put Toilet Seats Down
Put toilet seats down
Close Closet Doors
Close closet doors
Remove Items from Showers and Tubs
Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs
Remove Dirty Towels
Remove dirty towels – leave out only new, unused towels
Remove Floor Mats
Remove floor mats
Pets
Pets are loving, but their presence should be minimized
Place Pet Food and Water Bowls in Pantry
Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet
Store Pet Beds and Toys
Place pet beds/toys in pantry or closet
Use Lint Roller on Furniture
Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair
Contain Pets
Contain pets in hidden crate or outside
Clear Backyard of Pet Waste and Toys
Clear back yard of pet waste/toys