Tips for Preparing Your Home for Stunning Real Estate Photos

Home prep
Written By Sarah Strunk
 

Are you ready to attract potential buyers and sell your home fast? One of the most crucial steps in the process is preparing your home for real estate photos. These photos will be the first thing that catches a buyer's eye, so it's essential to make a great first impression. Don't worry, it doesn't have to be stressful or overwhelming. With a few simple tips, you can ensure that your home looks its best in photos and stands out from the competition. So, let's dive in and get your home ready for its close-up!

 
 

Home Interior

  • Deep clean whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, countertops, windows)

  • Remove any sign of pets (bowls, toys etc.)

  • Declutter and depersonalize

  • Replace all burned out light bulbs (use the same light temperature throughout house)

Home Exterior

  • Remove vehicles from driveway and front of house

  • Put garden hoses, tools, toys, basketball goals and bikes out of sight

  • Lawns should be manicured; trim shrubbery if necessary

  • Clear pool of debris, toys and cleaners

  • Clear back yard of pet waste/toys

 

Bedrooms

  • Clear out items from under the bed that are visible

  • Put clothes, shoes and laundry baskets out of sight

  • Declutter nightstands, remove personal items

  • Put portable fans, heaters and trash bins out of sight

  • Tidy up desks, remove excess toys and posters

Kitchen

  • Clear counters of food, dish racks and cutting boards

  • Remove magnets, photos and papers from refrigerator

  • Hide garbage cans, brooms, mops etc.

  • Remove any large countertop appliances

  • Remove dishes from sink

 

Staging Tips

  • Put out fresh, lightly colored or white towels , hang neatly

  • Use a bowl of fruit or vase of flowers to add color in the kitchen

  • Use lightbulbs of the same temperature in every room

  • Use light colored or white bedding

Bathrooms

  • Clean counters of toothbrushes, razors, medications, deodorant jewelry etc.

  • Remove excess shampoo bottles and soap from shower and tub

  • Hide trash bins, scales, and laundry baskets

  • Hide toilet bowl brush and spare toilet paper rolls

 

Day of your photos, before we arrive:

  • Turn on all lights

  • Turn off all fans, TVS and computers

  • Clear driveway of all vehicles

  • Hide anything that you don’t want photographed

  • Hide outside garbage cans

  • Secure pets so that it is safe for your photographer to enter

  • Keep pets locked up during photos so that they don’t get in photos

  • We will not move personal items like shampoo bottles, razors, toothbrushes, etc. Please make sure that those items are out of sight.

Need to cancel or reschedule? Our photographers accept a limited number of appointments per day to allow for quality editing and fast photo delivery. If you need to cancel or reschedule your photo appointment, please give a minimum of 24-hour notice so we can open your time slot to another client.

Sarah Strunk