When preparing for real estate photography and measurements, it’s important to get a head start on the details and showcase your home at its best. I’ve created a checklist for you and your agent that covers general details, pets, exterior, living room, dining room, kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, office & what to expect on photo day.
General Details
- Clean mirrors
- Vacuum carpets
- Sweep/mop floors
- Test lights & replace burnt out bulbs
- Use identical colour temp for light fixture bulbs
- Turn OFF all ceiling fans
- Declutter as much as possible
- Touch up any wall damage & paint
- Open curtains and blinds
- Clean all windows, patio doors (both sides)
- Empty garbage & hide garbage cans
- Remove small floor mats to reveal flooring
- Hide shoes and jackets
- Remove personal photos & calendars
- Remove clothing from washer/dryer
- Add suitable art/photos for blank walls
- Straighten lampshades & picture frames
- Hide all evidence of pets
- Store away seasonal items & decor
- Store unnecessary items in garage or rented storage
- Identify & make any repairs that are required
- For winter, keep driveway & walkways clear of ice & snow
Exterior
- Mow lawn and manicure gardens
- Remove any yard clutter
- Remove automobiles from front of home, just prior to photography
- Hide garbage cans & garden hoses
- Tidy any patio furniture, open patio umbrella
- Clean pool, remove & hide cover
- Hide bicycles and toys
- Clean & sweep all driveway, walkway & patio areas
- Rake leaves
Living Room
- Turn OFF all TV and monitors
- Hide remote controls
- Declutter as much as possible
- Arrange furniture making room appear larger
- Hide garbage cans
- Hide cables/wires
Kitchen
- Empty sinks & put away all dishes
- Declutter as much as possible
- Clean windows
- Clear countertops, hide small appliances
- Clean the appliances
- Clean or replace range hood filters
- Remove tissue boxes, paper towels
- Hide towels & draining racks
- Remove all items from fridge door
- Straighten chairs/stools (set to even height)
- Hide garbage can & kitchen mats
Dining Room
- Clear table, dust & polish
- Declutter as much as possible
- Clean windows
- Use decorative place setting if available
- Straighten all chairs and place them evenly
- Remove child/booster seats
- Turn OFF ceiling fan
Bathrooms
- Clean windows & mirrors
- Clean exhaust fans
- Declutter as much as possible
- Swap out toilet paper for full roll
- Clean bathtubs/showers
- Hide shampoo bottles, shavers, soap, etc.
- Hide garbage cans
- Hide toilet brushes
- Lower toilet seats
- Hide tissue box
- Fold & hang hand towels neatly from racks
- Remove floor & bath mats
Bedrooms
- Make beds
- Declutter as much as possible
- Remove visible items from under bed
- Clear nightstands of personal items
- Hide Garbage cans
- Hide cables/wires
- Turn OFF ceiling fan
Office
- Hide garbage cans
- Declutter as much as possible
- Turn OFF all TV and monitors
- Remove chair underlay & small mats
- Hide cables/wires
- Turn OFF ceiling fan
Pets
- In general, hide all evidence of pets
- Hide water/food bowls
- Hide pet toys
- Clean up furniture with lint roller
- Clear back yard of pet waste/toys
- Pets will need to be contained and out of sight
What to Expect
- Home should be shoot-ready when the photographer arrives
The Photographer Will Not;
- Move or re-arrange furniture
- Wait for ‘stage as you go’
- Make beds, clean or declutter
- Hide cables/wires
- Pick up toys or yard items
- ‘Photoshop’ to remove vehicles, cords, wall damage, power lines, etc.
Double Check Before Photoshoot
- Open blinds and curtains
- Turn on main room lights
- Turn OFF ceiling fans
- Close all drawers & cupboards
- Lower toilet seats
- Remove plug-in air fresheners
- Remove any pest control items
- Wipe dry bath/shower area
- Straighten chairs
- General walk-around & tidy
Download our complete Photo Day Checklist here: https://qrcodes.pro/yW6kiS