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WHY PREP FOR PHOTOS?

Make the first impression count.

architecture, clouds, blue sky, green mowed grass, exterior, blue, trees, beautiful home

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Online It's where buyers start

The majority of home buyers start their search online, so it is important to make the first impression count! Follow these tips to prepare your home for the best real estate photos possible.

GENERAL

Tips for all areas in the home

couch, living room, wood floors, wall to wall windows

  • Thoroughly clean whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean countertops, clean windows).

  • Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON.

  • Replace all burned out light bulbs.

  • Use bulbs of the same temperature (ALL incandescent or All compact Fluorescent).

  • Turn all ceiling fans OFF.

  • Turn all computer screens OFF

  • Open Blinds/window treatments to let in outside light

  • Remove personal photographs (or replace with general landscape/object photographs.

  • Make all beds.

  • Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring.

  • Place all shoes/Jackets in closets.

EXTERIOR

Online "Curb Appeal"

Front Exterior

The front exterior is usually the first photo buyers see.

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  • Close garage doors.

  • Remove cars from driveway and front of home.

  • Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves).

  • Remove empty planters

  • Use broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames

  • Remove visible water hoses, sprinklers, wood piles and tarps.

  • Remove Toys, sports balls, basketball hoops, soccer goals etc.

beautiful home exterior, sunset image, long driveway, green grass
Outdoo patio, green grass, garden, outdoor seating, patio furnature

Backyard

The backyard should be an oasis to relax.

 

  • Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions

  • Pillows/cushions should be fresh, not faded

  • Clear out kid's toys, balls, frisbees, etc.

  • Clean ponds and other water features

  • Turn ON pond and other water features

  • Remove visible water hoses

  • Remove trash cans

KITCHEN

Sometimes the focal point, the kitchen

deserves attention to detail

  • Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.

  • Leave out max of one small appliance (ex. coffee maker)

  • Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.

  • Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet

  • Remove dishes from sink, place in dishwasher

  • Tidy and declutter walk-in pantries

updated kitchen, bar stools, stainless steel appliances, white cupboards
DINING ROOM/TABLE

Allow buyers to imagine a nice family meal.

Dining room, kitche table, leather chairs, windows, area rug, indoor plant

  • Clear table, dust and polish the table top

  • Use decorative place setting if available

  • Feature one center piece such as a bouquet of flowers

  • Straighten all chairs and space them evenly

  • Remove child seats/booster chairs

LIVING/FAMILY ROOM

The space to enjoy conversation and

spend quality time with family

  • Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.

  • De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than 5 items, including art)

  • Clean interior of fireplace and re-paint if needed

  • Fluff and arrange furniture pillows

  • Remove kid's toys

  • Think light and bright. If you have darker shakes in the home (furniture and carpet) draping and decorating with light colors is a fantastic idea).

Living room, fireplace, fire burning, comfy couches, area rug, bookshelves
BEDROOMS

Rest for you and guests.

Master bedroom, orange blanket, wood dresser, large bed, pillows

Master Bedroom

A good nights rest recharges the body and mind.

 

  • Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available

  • Press bed linens and bed skirts

  • Clear nightstands of all personal items

  • Store away phone/tablet charging cables

  • Remove all clutter from top of dressers

  • Remove family photos from walls

  • Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

Kid/Guest Bedroom

Don’t forget about guest bedrooms.

 

  • Remove personalized names from walls

  • Remove wall stickers/posters

  • Remove diaper genies

  • Clean under the bed, removing items that may show in the photos

upstairs bedroom, skylights, clean room, brown and white bedding
BATHROOMS

To be spa-like, the bathroom must

be clear of all personal items

bathroom, bathtub, flower vase, glass shower, skylight

  • Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.

  • Put toilet seats down

  • Close closet doors

  • Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs

  • Remove dirty towels - leave out only new, unused towels

  • Remove floor mats

PETS

Pets are loving, but their presence

should be minimized.

  • Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet

  • Place pet beds/toys in pantry or closet

  • Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair

  • Contain pets in hidden crate or outside

  • Clear back yard of pet waste/toys

kitten in a blanket, grey blankt, yellow cat
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