Preparing for Pictures
Getting Your Home Ready for Pictures and Video
Online photos create first impressions for homebuyers. With that in mind:
- Remove all vehicles from driveways and try not to park directly in front of the house.
- Open window coverings to let in the natural light and neighborhood views (vertical and Venetian blinds turned to open position).
- Clean windows.
- Remove any items which may be taped or otherwise fastened to the refrigerator.
- Remove everything from sinks.
- Remove all you can from countertops (bread, dishes, toothpaste, combs, soap, food, toiletries, hand towels, ...). An artsy cookie jar or a bouquet of flowers would look nice in the kitchen, or even tomatoes, celery, red/green/yellow peppers on a cutting board.
- Make all beds and tidy up bedrooms. Hide all clothes. Hang them up nicely in closets. Or just stuff them under your bed.
- Hide all toys or keep them in the kids' closets.
- Remove pet bowls, toys and litter boxes from rooms that will be photographed.
- Hide most things plastic and paper (cereal boxes, cleaners, …)
- Put away newspapers and magazines.
- Make sure all light bulbs work. Clean light bulbs of dust.
- Roll up or hide garden hoses and hide all garden tools.
- Put trash into outside trash bins. Hide all trash containers. Tell us when you have trash day so we don’t schedule for that day.
- Get the lawn mowed and edged, the weeds pulled, and leaves picked up.
- Make sure the pool and pool area are sparkling clean. If you have temporary child fencing, take that down for the photo shoot. Turn on the pumps for the waterfalls/spillways.
- Help the photographer by keeping pets and people out of the way.
- Don’t schedule any gardeners, maintenance, cleaners, etc. that day
- And most importantly: De-clutter wherever you look.
Most of these tips also apply for when people will be viewing your home.