WHY PREP FOR PHOTOS?
Make the first impression count.

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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

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Thoroughly clean whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean countertops, clean windows).
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Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON.
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Replace all burned out light bulbs.
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Use bulbs of the same temperature (ALL incandescent or All compact Fluorescent).
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Turn all ceiling fans OFF.
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Turn all computer screens OFF
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Open Blinds/window treatments to let in outside light
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Remove personal photographs (or replace with general landscape/object photographs.
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Make all beds.
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Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring.
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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.
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Remove cars from driveway and front of home.
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Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves).
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Remove empty planters
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Use broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames
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Remove visible water hoses, sprinklers, wood piles and tarps.
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Remove Toys, sports balls, basketball hoops, soccer goals etc.


Backyard
The backyard should be an oasis to relax.
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Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions
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Pillows/cushions should be fresh, not faded
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Clear out kid's toys, balls, frisbees, etc.
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Clean ponds and other water features
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Turn ON pond and other water features
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Remove visible water hoses
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Remove trash cans
KITCHEN
Sometimes the focal point, the kitchen
deserves attention to detail
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Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.
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Leave out max of one small appliance (ex. coffee maker)
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Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
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Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
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Remove dishes from sink, place in dishwasher
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Tidy and declutter walk-in pantries

DINING ROOM/TABLE
Allow buyers to imagine a nice family meal.

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Clear table, dust and polish the table top
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Use decorative place setting if available
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Feature one center piece such as a bouquet of flowers
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Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
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Remove child seats/booster chairs
LIVING/FAMILY ROOM
The space to enjoy conversation and
spend quality time with family
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Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.
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De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than 5 items, including art)
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Clean interior of fireplace and re-paint if needed
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Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
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Remove kid's toys
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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).

BEDROOMS
Rest for you and guests.

Master Bedroom
A good nights rest recharges the body and mind.
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Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available
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Press bed linens and bed skirts
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Clear nightstands of all personal items
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Store away phone/tablet charging cables
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Remove all clutter from top of dressers
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Remove family photos from walls
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Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos
Kid/Guest Bedroom
Don’t forget about guest bedrooms.
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Remove personalized names from walls
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Remove wall stickers/posters
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Remove diaper genies
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Clean under the bed, removing items that may show in the photos

BATHROOMS
To be spa-like, the bathroom must
be clear of all personal items

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Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.
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Put toilet seats down
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Close closet doors
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Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs
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Remove dirty towels - leave out only new, unused towels
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Remove floor mats
PETS
Pets are loving, but their presence
should be minimized.
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Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet
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Place pet beds/toys in pantry or closet
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Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair
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Contain pets in hidden crate or outside
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Clear back yard of pet waste/toys
