How To Prepare Your Home For Real Estate Photography
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Make The First Impression Count
WHY PREP FOR PHOTOS?
Online
It's where buyers start
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GENERAL
Tips for all areas in the home
- Thoroughly clean whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean countertops, clean windows)
- Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON
- Use bulbs of the same temperature (ALL incandescent or ALL compact fluorescent)
- Turn all ceiling fans OFF
- Turn all TVs 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
FRONT EXTERIOR
Online “curb appeal” - the front exterior is usually the first photo buyers see
- 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
- Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.
- Pressure wash the driveway and patio
BACK YARD
The back yard 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 pool
- Remove pool vacuum/cleaner hose
- Hide pool cleaning supplies
- Turn on pool fountains/water features
- Remove visible water hoses
- Remove trash cans
KITCHEN
The focal point is the kitchen, it 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
DINING ROOM / TABLE
Allow buyers to imagine a nice family meal
- 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
- Remove pet toys/crates/beds/cat towers
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 bed, removing items that may show in the photos
- Put any toy that are able to be moved away
BATHROOMS
To be spa-like, the bathroom must be clear of all personal items
- 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
- If possible, it would be best to take any pets out of the house during the photoshoot
- 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
WHAT TO EXPECT
Expectation During the Photo Shoot
Hi, I am Shannon Herod, owner and photographer of Get Real Estate Photos. I am looking forward to photographing your home!
I want the photos of your home to be the best they can be. This requires teamwork and cooperation that will result in a fantastic presentation when your listing goes live on the market. That first impression and those early days on the market are critical to getting your home sold fast. So, we will work hard to make sure your home will be featured in its best light.
When I arrive to take photos of your property, I ask that all staging and cleaning be done prior to my arrival. To efficiently maintain my busy schedule and deliver the level of service my clients expect, I can not spend unnecessary time at the home waiting for it to be cleaned, dusted, de-cluttered, etc.
I would love to help you style and stage your home. However, that is something outside my skill set. I specialize in amazing photography that is properly exposed and taken at the best angles.
Interior design and photography are two totally different skill sets. I look at it this way, when taking personal and family photos, you would not expect the photographer to put on your makeup.
- Move or re-arrange furniture
- Make beds, clean, dust or de-clutter
- Pick up toys or yard items
- "Photoshop" vehicles, walls, damaged walls, power lines, wall pictures, cords,roofs, etc.
- Touch personal bathroom supplies (shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant, towels)
Please review the previous sections for tips on preparing your home for real estate photography, and note that I am not responsible and will not partake in any of the following duties while photographing your home:
I say all of this to ensure you I am not just a photographer, but a business owner who is going to treat your home, the shoot and the goal to sell your home fast with the utmost respect.
I look forward to helping you and your amazing agent sell your home.