Prepare the Home for the Best Photographic Presentation

You are working with a Realtor who wants to show your home in the best possible way using professional photography. Today, buyers choose homes they want to see based on what they see online. In order to get the best possible images of your home detailed preparation is required. The photographer has only a short amount of time to get the images and needs to move smoothly and quickly through the home. The items below will make that effort productive:

Exterior:

• Remove all vehicles from the garage, the driveway and the front of the house.
• All trash cans, bins, hoses, garden tools, and toys should be out of sight.
• The driveway, deck, patio and entry should be swept and free of leaves and debris.
• Mow the lawn, trim shrubs and bushes back away from walkways.
• Put deck/patio umbrellas up and remove barbeque covers.
• All windows should be shut and blinds set at the same height preferably at half mast and plantation shutters should be set at 45 degrees.
• Pool covers; equipment and toys should be removed and stored out of sight.

Interior:

• All interior lights should be on and burnt out bulbs replaced.
• Clear all counters in the kitchen, laundry, and bathrooms of extraneous items such as kitchen utensils, tissue boxes, soap trays, paper towels.  Bright colored canisters or a nice decorative plate may be left on the kitchen counter along with one nice appliance such as a coffee maker.
• Turn on fireplace if available.
• Remove all notes, pictures, and magnets from the refrigerator.
• Turn off the ceiling fans and TVs.
• Put away any evidence of works such as buckets, garbage cans, soap containers, mops and brooms.
• Remove all magazines and newspapers.
• Remove any evidence of animals such as feeding dishes, litter boxes, and portable gates in doorways.
• Carpets should be vacuumed and hardwood floors clean and polished.
• Windows should be clean and streak free.
• Beds should be freshly made and free towels can be hanging on racks in bathrooms.
• Store out of site all remote controls.
• Remove all kitchen, entry, and bathroom mats and carpets so that the detail of the floor is viewable.
• Books on book shelves should be straightened.
• Children’s names on wall should be removed. If this is not possible, an attempt will be made to edit the name out of the image.
• Declutter and depersonalize so that your buyer can envision themselves in their new home.