Picture Perfect: A Checklist to Prepare Your Home for Professional Real Estate Photography
When it comes to selling your property, the images you use to advertise it may make or break a sale. The correct photos may highlight your home's greatest characteristics and set it apart from the competition, but badly shot or unattractive photos might put off potential buyers. That is why it is critical to prepare your property for professional real estate photography in order to display your home in the best possible light.
Here is a checklist to prepare your home for professional real estate photography:
Here are the first things that must be accomplished in the weeks and days before your scheduled photography appointment.
Interior
Examine the furniture layout and organization in each room.
Remove any excess furniture that makes a room feel cluttered or cramped.
Clean the carpets, sweep the hardwood and tile floors, and vacuum as needed.
Check that the interior lighting is operational and replace any burned-out bulbs with fresh ones.
Remove docking stations, cell phones, cell phone charges, newspapers, magazines.
Remove cat litter boxes, cat and dog food/water bowls, and other pet related items.
Rearrange furniture to create a sense of spaciousness and flow in each room.
Consider neutralizing strong or bold paint colors with a fresh coat of neutral paint.
Remove any personal items such as family photos, religious items, and political memorabilia.
Make sure that any repairs that need to be done, such as fixing a leaky faucet or patching holes in the wall, are taken care of before the photographer arrives.
Clean windows inside and out to allow as much natural light as possible to enter the room.
Make sure that window treatments are in good condition and that they are hanging straight.
Kitchen
Close all drawers and cabinet doors.
Remove all stickers, magnets, pictures, notes, etc., from the refrigerator's front and sides.
Make sure that the sink is empty and that dishes are put away.
If you have a kitchen island, make sure it is clean and organized.
Make sure that the floors are clean and free of any visible stains or marks.
Bedrooms
Clean the room, then put the clothing, toys, and other items in the closet.
Take everything off the nightstands, including books, clocks, reading glasses, photos, etc.
Clear the tops of nightstands and dressers, leaving only a few decorative items.
Make sure that the floors are clean and free of any visible stains or marks.
If you have a walk-in closet, make sure it is organized and that clothing is hung up neatly.
Bathrooms
Make sure that the toilet is clean.
Make sure that the floors are clean and free of any visible stains or marks.
Make sure that the shower or bathtub is clean and free of any visible stains or marks.
Hang fresh towels and fold neatly.
Exterior
Clean the decks, patios, and driveways of debris such as leaves and dirt.
Garden hose can be removed or wound up on a stand.
Pool should be cleaned of floating debris.
Make sure that the lawn is mowed and that the landscaping is well-maintained.
Remove any visible debris from the yard, such as fallen branches or piles of leaves.
Make sure that the exterior of the house is clean and free of any visible stains or marks.
Make sure that any outdoor furniture is clean and in good condition.
Photography Day!
Please do these final touches to get your property ready for it's big day:
Turn on all of the wall and ceiling lights. Activate each lamp.
Fans should be turned off so that the blades do not spin.
Place small carpets in the closet.
Open window treatments to let in natural light. Custom drapes should be moved to either side of the window if they are not already in place.
The blinds should be raised to the top of the window.
Clear off the kitchen table and countertops, leaving only a few decorative items. Things like toasters, coffee makers, white paper rolls, towels, soap, cereal boxes, food, etc. should be removed off countertops.
Make sure that the beds are made and that the linens are clean and wrinkle-free.
Make sure blankets and sheets are straight and spotless.
If the blanket does not reach the floor, remove anything from underneath the bed.
Clear the counters of all toiletries, toothbrushes, hand soap, etc. Only leave a few decorative items.
Close the toilet lids.
From the shower and tubs, remove soaps, brushes, shampoo, etc.
Take the rugs off the floor.
Place a full toilet paper roll in bathrooms.
Garbage cans, bicycles, boxes, and gardening items should be moved inside the garage or storage space.
Vehicles should be parked in the garage or on the street side opposite your house.
Make sure that the garage door is closed and that any visible items inside the garage are organized and put away.
Open the patio umbrellas and set up the patio furniture for daily use.
Take down yard signs for schools, security, etc. from flowerbeds.
By following this checklist, you can help ensure that your home is presented in the best possible light during real estate photography. With the right preparation, you can increase the chances of your home being sold quickly and for the best price.
*Please note that this is a general guide and you should consider the specifics of your property and your preference.