HOME PREP CHECKLIST

My pre-arrival checklist to ensure your home looks its ABSOLUTE BEST for photos! The following items must be taken care of prior to the photo shoot, not during please.  

Front Exterior 

    • Remove cars from driveway and front of home

    • Close garage doors

    • Trash day? Move cans across the street or away from front of home

    • Not trash day? Move cans into garage 

    • Clear leaves and debris from driveway

    • Remove visible hoses 

    • Wash windows

    • Ensure bulbs and landscape lighting is in working order for twilight

    • Schedule landscaping if possible

Backyard

    • Remove any evidence of pets

    • Clean pool and turn on waterfall if applicable 

    • Hose off / sweep patio

    • Arrange patio furniture as if you are expecting company

    • Clean windows

    • Remove hose, kids toys, and trash cans if visible

Interior (in general)

    • Open all window shades (you don’t need to roll them up) 

    • Turn off all fans (they show up as a blurry blob in photos)

    • Tidy up; hide unnecessary clutter in closets or garage 

    • De-personalize: Put away family photos and anything that can identify you

    • Pet toys, pet bowls, and pet furniture needs to be hidden

    • Replace burned out lightbulbs 

    • Wipe down surfaces.

    • Den/Office? Organize and put all documents away. Turn off computer screens

    • Laundry room should be clean and organized. No detergent or clothes visible

    • Dust, clean, and organize; Pretend Martha Stewart is coming for a visit. 

Kitchen / Dining 

    • Hide garbage can in pantry or garage

    • Clear off countertops. Leave out a small appliance or two, but less is more.

    • Clear refrigerator of all magnets and papers

    • Clean surfaces and remove cleaning supplies from view

    • Straighten chairs in dining areas

    • Remove / hide high-chairs and booster seats

Family / Living Room

    • Declutter. Remove personal items and kids toys.

    • Hide any remotes, mail, magazines, or anything extra. Decor is OK.

    • Arrange pillows and straighten cushions 

Bedrooms

    • Make beds. Pretend like I’m shooting for a Pottery Barn catalogue 

    • Clear nightstands of personal items

    • Remove charging cables and hide any visible tv cables

    • Declutter all surfaces; dresser, tv stand, etc.

    • Tidy up primary closet if that is being photographed

    • Clean under bed, remove items that may be in view of my camera

Bathrooms

    • Clear all personal items from view

    • No extra soap, toothbrushes, toiletries should be in view

    • Toilet seats down

    • Empty and/or hide garbage cans

    • Clear out showers and bathtubs. No razors, soap, shampoo & conditioner in view 

    • Arrange decorative towels so they look neat and “spa-like”

    • Wipe down mirrors and surfaces

    • Remove bathmats

Tips

  • Ensure each room has a clear purpose. Dining room should look like a dining room. Office should look like an office. 

  • The plan should NOT be that you will move clutter from one room to another while your home is being photographed. I’m likely going back into each room as I shoot. Best to hide things in the garage or a closet during the shoot. 

  • Have a plan for pets before my arrival. It just makes for a smooth shoot for everyone. Good practice for showings.

  • Please allow 45 min for every 1000 SF. i.e. a 2000 SF home takes about 1.5 hrs to shoot. Add another 30 min for twilight. 


Notes / Extra prep for your home

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