The majority of home buyers start their search online, so it is important to make the first impression count! Follow these tips to prepare your home for the best real estate photos possible.
The first tips in each category are recommended and the ones in italics are pro-tips to make your home look its best in photos.
General:
⦁ Thoroughly clean whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean counter tops, clean windows)
⦁ Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON
⦁ Turn all ceiling fans OFF
⦁ Turn all TVs OFF
⦁ Turn all computer screens OFF
⦁ Open blinds/window treatments to let in outside light
⦁ Open all doors
⦁ Make all beds
⦁ Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring
⦁ Place all shoes/jackets in closets
⦁ Remove personal photographs (or replace with general landscape/object photographs)
⦁ Replace all burned out light bulbs
Front Exterior:
⦁ Close garage doors
⦁ Remove cars from driveway and front of home
⦁ Move trash cans to the side of the home
⦁ Remove visible water hoses
⦁ Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc
⦁ Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)
⦁ Remove empty planters
⦁ Use broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames
Back Yard:
⦁ Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions
⦁ Remove visible water hoses
⦁ Remove trash cans
⦁ 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
⦁ Pillows/cushions should be fresh, not faded
Kitchen:
⦁ Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
⦁ Remove dishes from sink, place in dishwasher
⦁ Clear countertops as best you can
⦁ Remove dish rags and towels from stove
⦁ 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.
Dining Room:
⦁ Clear table, dust and polish the table top
⦁ Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
⦁ Remove child seats/booster chairs
⦁ Use decorative place setting if available
⦁ Feature one center piece such as a bouquet of flowers
Living / Family Room:
⦁ Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, remotes, etc.
⦁ Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
⦁ Remove kid’s toys
⦁ De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than 5 items, including art)
⦁ Clean interior of fireplace/glass and re-paint if needed
Bedrooms:
⦁ Make bed, 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
⦁ Press bed linens and bed skirts
⦁ Remove family photos / stickers / posters from walls
Bathrooms:
⦁ Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.
⦁ Put toilet seats down
⦁ Close closet doors
⦁ Either remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs OR close shower curtain
⦁ Remove dirty towels – leave out only new, unused towels
⦁ Remove floor mats
Laundry:
⦁ Remove everything off the machines
⦁ Hide laundry baskets
⦁ Remove any laundry
Matterport tips:
⦁ The camera will scan your whole house, if you need to hide anything hide it behind closed closet doors.
⦁ Leave all doors open to any areas you would like scanned, including laundry area, mechanical room and any storage rooms you feel add value to the home.