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Use the following tips to ensure your home is prepared for the best possible photos.

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GENERAL (Tips for all areas of the home)

Thoroughly clean whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean countertops, clean windows)
Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON
Replace all burned out light bulbs
Use bulbs of the same temperature (ALL incandescent or ALL compact fluorescent)
Turn all ceiling fans OFF
Turn all TVs OFF
Turn all computer screens OFF
Open blinds/window treatments to let in outside light
Remove personal photographs (or replace with general landscape/object photographs)
Make all beds
Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring
Place all shoes/jackets in closets

 

FRONT EXTERIOR

Online “curb appeal” - the front exterior is usually the first photo buyers see

Close garage doors
Remove cars from driveway and front of the home (leave this until last minute so nobody else parks there.)
Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)
Remove empty planters
Use a broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames
Remove visible water hoses
Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.

 

BACKYARD

The backyard should be an oasis to relax

Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions
Pillows/cushions should be fresh, not faded
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
Remove visible water hoses
Remove trash cans

 

KITCHEN

Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.
Leave out a 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 the sink, place in dishwasher

 

DINING ROOM / TABLE

Clear table, dust, and polish the table top
Use decorative place setting if available
Feature one centerpiece such as a bouquet of flowers
Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
Remove child seats/booster chairs

LIVING / FAMILY ROOM

Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.
De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than 5 items, including art)
Clean interior of fireplace and re-paint if needed
Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
Remove kid's toys

 

MASTER BEDROOM

A good nights rest recharges the body and mind

Make bed, including decorative pillows/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
Cleanunder

bed, removing items that may show in the photos

 

KID/GUEST BEDROOM

Don’t forget about guest bedrooms

Remove personalized names from walls
Remove wall stickers/posters
Remove diaper genies
Clean under the bed, removing items that may show in the photos

 

BATHROOMS

To be spa-like, the bathroom must be clear of all personal items

Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.
Put toilet seats down
Close closet doors
Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs
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 lintroller on furniture to remove pet hair
Clear backyard of pet waste/toys

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TWILIGHT SHOTS (ordered separately)

Park vehicles away from the front of the house

Turn all lights on inside and outside the house including pool and spa      

Turn all fans off on the inside and the outside of the house

Outdoor fire areas lit

Flood lights, can lights, any other lights ON

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The house should be shoot-ready prior to the scheduled appointment. 

 

When I arrive to take photos of the property, I ask that all staging and cleaning be done prior to my arrival. To efficiently maintain my busy schedule and deliver the level of service my clients expect, I can not spend unnecessary time at the home waiting for it to be cleaned, dusted, de-cluttered, etc.