General tips when preparing your home for real estate photography:
- Clean the whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean countertops,
clean windows) - Replace all burned-out light bulbs
- Remove personal photographs (or replace with general landscape/object
photographs) - Make all beds
- Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring and get a cleaner look
- Put all clothes in closets
- Consider removing some furniture to make the house appear more spacious
Checklist: Top tips on how to prepare for real estate photography – area by area
Exterior, front yard and backyard
- Close all garage doors
- Remove cars, so they are not visible in the pictures
- Attend to landscaping (mow the lawn, trim bushes and remove leaves)
- Remove dead foliage and empty planters
- Remove/hide trash cans wheelie bins where possible
- Remove visible water hoses, ladders, and other tools
- Remove toys and playground supplies
- Remove any seasonal decor (for example, Christmas lights)
- Tidy up outdoor tables, chairs etc. and fluff cushions
- Clean the pool
- Consider adding a few details like candle holders etc to create a cozy atmosphere
front door real estate photography
Hallway and wardrobe
- Put clothes in the closet. Leave only an item or two on a hanger or a hook
- Remove shoes. If you decide to leave a pair, make sure they are clean and nice
- Remove clutter (keys, wallets, papers, etc.)
Kitchen
- Clear countertops – less is more
- Leave a couple of stylish items on the counter (a coffee maker or a bowl of fruit)
- Hide all dishes; place dirty dishes in the dishwasher
- Hide garbage cans and recycling bins
- Clear the front of the refrigerator of magnets, postcards, photos, etc.
- Clean and/or polish countertops and cabinets to make sure there are no fingermarks
- Clear dining table. Consider having a vase of fresh flowers on the table
- Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
- Remove children’s chairs or high seats
Living room
- Remove magazines, papers, mail, and random clutter
- Arrange books and art in bookshelves, so it looks tidy
- Remove toys
- Remove clutter and clean interior of the fireplace
- If the fireplace has a glass front – clean it
- Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
- Hide and/or arrange cables from TV, stereo and other electrical devices
- living room real estate photography
Bedrooms
- Bedding should be in matching colors, have no wrinkles and no discoloring or fading
- Press bed linens and bed skirts
- Make the beds, including decorative pillows/shams if available
- Edges of bedding and sheets when visible should either be tucked neatly or hung straight
- Pillows should be wrinkle-free, fluffed, matching and arranged neatly
- Remove personal belongings like pictures, clothing, electronics, and clutter
- Remove trash cans
- Clean under the bed, remove items that may show in the photos
Kids/guest bedrooms
- Remove personalized items like names and pictures from walls
- Tidy the room: put books in bookshelves, toys in boxes, and put some key toys on shelves for display
- Clean under the bed, removing items that may show in the photos
Office / Study
- Clear desk
- Hide and/or arrange all the cables
- Hide papers
- Arrange items neatly in a bookshelf
- Remove personalized items
Bathrooms
- Clear countertops. Consider leaving a decorative soap dispenser, etc.
- Put toilet seats down
- Remove shampoo, soap, etc. from showers and tubs
- Remove dirty towels. Hang up clean towels in matching colors
- Remove floor mats
Now you are done, your media content is going to look great so we can most effectively market your property !