The Photographers Are Coming, Are You Ready?
Getting ready to sell your home? Before the photographer arrives, it’s important to prepare your space with potential buyers in mind. After all, there’s a difference between the home you live in every day and the home you’re presenting to the market. Use the recommendations below to help your home look its best in photos and make a strong first impression.
EXTERIOR
FRONT
Pine Straw/Mulch - Fresh pine straw or mulch creates a clean contrast against your lawn and helps landscaping look polished. Plan to refresh these areas during the week of your photo appointment.
Siding - Exterior dirt, pollen, and mildew can be noticeable in listing photos. Consider having the siding professionally cleaned or use an exterior house-washing product that is safe for your home’s materials. Even a light cleaning with Mr. Clean Outdoor Spray® (click link to buy on Amazon) can make the exterior look brighter and better maintained. Just attach the bottle to your hose and let it rip. You'll be amazed at how sparkly fresh your home will look.
Bushes & Trees - Buyers should be able to see your home clearly from the street. Trim any overgrown bushes, shrubs, or low-hanging branches that block windows, walkways, or architectural features. Be mindful of the season and the specific needs of each plant before pruning.
Hoses - Wind up hoses neatly and store them out of sight before photos. Small outdoor items can quickly become visual distractions against fresh landscaping.
Mail Box- Your mailbox is one of the first things buyers may notice when they arrive. Clean it, add a fresh coat of paint if needed, and make sure the house numbers are visible and easy to read. If it is damaged or heavily worn, consider replacing it.
Plants in Planters - A pair of planters near the entrance can add color and make your home feel more inviting. Choose healthy, seasonal plants and keep the arrangement simple so it complements the home without overwhelming the space.
Clean Gutters - Clear leaves, debris, and any visible plant growth from your gutters. Clean gutters help your home appear well maintained and prevent unnecessary distractions in exterior photos.
Front Door - Potential buyers often spend several moments near the entrance while their agent accesses the lockbox, giving them time to notice every detail. Clean the door and consider adding a fresh coat of paint or stain if needed. Replace a worn welcome mat, check that the doorbell works, remove cobwebs, and tidy the surrounding porch or entryway.
DAY OF PHOTOS
Fluff up all pillows and arrange outdoor furniture.
Blow off all decks, patios and walk ways.
Clean the yard of animal waste, and toys.
Turn fountains and ponds on.
INTERIOR
GENERAL
Deep Clean - If there is ever a time to give your home a deep cleaning, now would be it. Either pay someone (we have recommendations), or take a weekend and knock this out.
Wipe down walls and baseboards
Touch up paint or use Mr. Clean Magic Erasers® (wow I sound like I am getting paid to endorse them)
Wipe down blinds and windows
Steam clean carpets.
Mop hard surfaces.
Check Light Bulbs - Not only do you need to make sure all lights have bulbs, but also make sure they are consistent. Nothing throws off photos more than two "day light" bulbs and two "soft white bulbs" in the same room.
Hardwood Floors - Take this time to invest in some paint pens that match your color of hardwood and repair and scratches or gashes.
Baby/Pet Gates - Go a head and remove these for the photos. We understand that you need to these to have some sanity while you live there, however, if there are some you can do without, we'd recommend removing them.
FOYER
Wide Open - Remove all shoes, coats, baskets or anything of the such from the floors. The foyer should be wide open.
KITCHEN
Counters - People judge homes on how much counter space they have, so the more you can clear off the more people will like it. Now with that said, you do have to live in the home, so if you use the Keurig and toaster every day, then leave it out. But if you don't use the huge mixer, find a home for it in a cabinet.
Appliances - Yes people are going to look inside of them, especially if they are staying, and also because they are nosey and think they should. So make sure if you have stainless that all the smudges are removed. Take down anything stuck on your fridge, no magnets, no photos, no list, nothing. The fridge is the biggest and most eye-catching object in the home and if it is clutter, your kitchen will feel the same way.
Garbage Cans- If you can, keep them out of sight.
DAY OF PHOTOS
Wipe down counters
Hide all cleaning products around the sink
Hide trashcan(s)
Remove any items that snuck on to the fridge
Place fresh flowers or fruit on the island if you have it.
DINING ROOM (IF YOU HAVE ONE)
Runner - Place a nice soft, yet complimentary runner down the length of your table. It helps trick the eye into thinking the room is longer than it may actually be.
Centerpiece - Can you kill fake plants? If so, choose something that isn't alive. I'd keep the height to a third of the distance to the chandelier.
Chairs -
Wooden - Wipe them down and touch up any scratches with a paint pen.
Fabric Chairs - Make sure they are clean with no glaring stains.
Booster/High Chairs - Make sure to remove them for the photos.
LIVING, FAMILY, & GREAT ROOM (S)
Coffee Tables - Remove almost everything off of the table. If you want to leave one book or a few magazines feel free, just try not to clutter it up.
Fireplace Mantle - Declutter this. No family or dog photos please.
DAY OF PHOTOS
Fluff all pillows
Remove any clutter from coffee tables
Put away all remote controls, TV trays etc.
Remove any dog beds and kid toys.
BEDROOMS
GENERAL TO-DO’S
Bed Skirts - Almost everyone stores items under their beds, however we don't need to see them in the photos, a crisp white bed skirt will go a long way.
Night Stands - Keep these clean. Remove all books. You can learn a lot about a person from the titles of the books they have on their night stand.
Artistic Body Photos - yYu will be amazed at the number of people with nude photos of themselves that are artistically done. One look at the photos, cross referenced with photos on the fridge, and it won't take but a second for the buyer to figure who the photos are.
KIDS BEDROOMS
Names - Remove anything with your kids names on it. There are a bunch of weird people out there, and they don't need to know your kids names.
Posters - Remove these, flags, and anything that will distract the potential buyer.
DAY OF PHOTOS
Fluff all pillows
Clear all night stands and dressers of clutter
Dust off furniture
Open blinds and curtians
Put out all of those decorative pillows stuffed in your closet
BATHROOMS
Counters - nothing should be on the counters. Get in the habit of putting everyday items in the drawers and cabinets they came from.
Toilets - make sure they are cleaned and lids closed.
Showers/Tubs - Remove all soaps, shampoos, loofahs.
Towels- Put out your nice ones and put away the old ones, including the bathmats.
DAY OF PHOTOS
Remove all personal items
Remove all soaps and dispensers
Clean mirrors and counters
PETS
Down size the amount of pet stuff to as minimal as possible.
Place items out of view as much as possible.
If the dogs bed looks old and smells, it might be time to get Fido an upgrade.
Keep the back yard free of "land mines".
Keep litter boxes clean daily.
DAY OF PHOTOS
Remove all pet items
SO NOW YOU’RE READY
When we arrive on site to take photos all of the above should be done so that we can efficiently and effectively capture the true essence of your home. We will go through and turn on all lights and turn off all fans. Unfortunately, we don't have the time to move items, clean or re-arrange, that should all be done by this point. As much as we like you and want your home to look great there are a few things that we won't do...
Remove any bath or toiletry items
Move furniture
Photoshop items in or out of a photo
Take exterior photos with Grey skies.
Clean, dust, or pick up dirty clothes.
Pick up toys or clean off counter tops.