Preparing Your House To Be Professionally Photographed
Most buyers start their home search online, that’s why your agent has hired Listing Marketing Pros as your professional real estate photographer.
The first step in making your first impression count! Our team wants the photos of your home to be the best they can be. This reauires teamwork and cooperation that will result in an outstanding online presence when your home goes LIVE on the market.
Let’s Get Started
Things We Want You To Know
Although we would love to help you stage and design your home, we, unfortunately do not have the skill set required to do so. When the real estate photographer arrives to take the photos of your property we ask that all staging and cleaning is complete before our arrival, so we can maintain our daily schedule and deliver the high quality service our clients expect from us.
PLEASE NOTE: We are not responsible for and will not partake in any of the following duties while photographing your home:
- Move or re-arrange furniture
- Make beds, clean, dust or declutter
- Pick up toys or yard items
- “Photoshop” vehicles, damaged walls, power lines, wall pictures, cords, etc.
- Touch personal bathroom supplies (shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant, towels, etc.
Please DO NOT turn off any lights until your photographer is done photographing the home.
Your Deep Cleaning Checklist:
Don’t Miss a Spot!
EXTERIOR (FRONT AND BACK YARDS)
Create ‘curb appear to bring attention to your home.
- Close garage doors
- Remove cars from driveway and front of home
- Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, etc.)
- Remove empty planters
- Remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames
- Remove visible water hoses from front/back yards
- Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals. etc.
- Clean porch, outdoor tables, chairs, cushions, etc.
- Pillows/cushions should be fresh, not faded
- Clean pool
- Remove pool vacuum, hose, and cleaning supplies
- Turn on pool fountains/water features
- Remove trash cans
INTERIOR
A focal point, the kitchen deserves attention to detail.
- Clean entire house (vacuum carpet. mop hard floors, clean countertops, clean windows)
- Replace all burned out light bulbs
- Use bulbs of the same temperature (ALL incandescent or ALL compact fluorescent)
- Turn ON all overhead lights and lamps
- Turn OFF: all fans, TVs, and computer screens
- Open window treatments to let in outside light
- Remove personal photographs (or replace with general landscape/object photographs)
- Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring
- Place all shoes and jackets in closets
KITCHEN
A focal point. the kitchen deserves attention to detail
- Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, add comma after mail as well.
- 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
Help buyers imagine sitting down to a nice family meal.
- Clear table, dust, and polish the table top
- Use decorative place setting if available
- Feature one centerpiece such as a flower bouquet
- Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
- Remove child seats/booster chairs
LIVING OR FAMILY ROOM
The space to enjoy conversation and spend quality time with family.
- Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.
- DE-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than five items, including art)
- Clean interior of fireplace and re-paint if needed
- Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
- Remove kid’s toys
MASTER, CHILDREN AND GUEST BEDROOMS
A good nights rest can recharge the body and mind.
- Make all beds, including any decorative pillows and 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 all beds and remove any items that may show in the photos
- Remove personalized names, stickers and posters from walls
- Remove diaper genies
BATHROOMS
To be a spa-like oasis, the bathroom must be clear of all personal items.
- Clear countertops completely. No toothbrushes, soap, medications, deodorant, etc.
- Put toilet seats down
- Close closet doors
- Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc from showers and bathtubs
- Remove dirty towels – leave out only new, unused towels
- Remove floor mats
PETS
Pets are loving, but their presence should be minimized.
- Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet
- Place pet beds/toys in pantry or closet
- Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair
- Contain pets in hidden crate or outside
- Clear back yard of pet waste/toys
