SELLERS TO DO LIST

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR LISTING PHOTOS

(be sure to scroll down all the way to the end)

I highly recommend giving this to your sellers at least a couple of weeks prior to the listing photos being taken.  I fully understand this can be a LOT for some sellers but the more that is accomplished from this list - the better the photos will look and the more likely you are to get more showings.  Proper prepping for photos may mean more money for the sellers and you!  Getting the BEST first impression is WELL worth it!

• Declutter and clean the entire house, including the walls, floors, and furniture.
• Remove any personal items, such as family photos and personalized decor.
• Stage the house with neutral decor to help potential buyers envision themselves living there.
• If the property will be vacant, I can recommend staging options (whether physically staged or virtually)
• Make sure all light fixtures have working bulbs in the same color (all white LEDs or all yellow/daylight but not a combination please - it looks bad in photos).
• Turn on all lights before the photoshoot, including lamps and under-cabinet lights.
• Ensure that all windows, mirrors and glass surfaces are clean and streak free.
• Turn off all ceiling fans, televisions and computer monitors prior to appointment time.
• Clean ceiling fan blades.
• Hide remote controls as well as visible cables and cords.
• Open all blinds/curtains.
• Remove magnets etc. from refrigerator & clean off top of refrigerator.
• Remove all large kitchen tools from countertops (air fryers, slow cookers etc). The goal is to show off abundant countertop space. 
• Remove kitchen rugs & hand towels.  Put dish soap, scrubbers, drying racks etc. under sink.
• Remove bathroom rugs, toilet scrubbers, toiletries (including items in shower) and put toilet seats down.
• If storing items under the bed be sure they are not visible from the door.
• Remove laundry from see-through washer/dryer doors.
• Hide all pet items (beds, toys, towers, crates, leashes, food/water bowls etc.)
• Place all indoor & outdoor trash cans out of sight.
• Hide any outdoor equipment or toys & park cars in the garage or off-site. NO CARS IN THE DRIVEWAY PLEASE UNTIL THE APPOINTMENT IS OVER - AFTER DRONE PHOTOS.
• Hide items from lanai such as pool equipment, toys and pool fence.
• Mow the lawn, trim the hedges/trees and prune any overgrown plants.  Fresh mulch will do wonders for curb appeal and first impressions.
• Pick up any dog poop in back yard. I don't want to bring any of that back inside your home.
• Remove both people & pets from the home during photography.  Go upstairs when the downstairs is being photographed and vice versa.  If it’s a one story home you may consider going outside as long as you cannot be seen through the windows from any angle.  If you can see the camera lens, it can see you!
• Please advise photographer upon arrival if you have special features in garage, pantry or closets.  These areas are typically not photographed but SHOULD be if they have custom features or are larger than the norm.

Remember, the goal is to create a clean, neutral, and welcoming environment that will appeal to potential buyers. Standard garage, closets, pantries and under stair storage areas can be used to hide other items since they do not typically get photographed.  

***For any home up to 3,000 square feet, please allow for 1 1/2 hours for the entire photography appointment (both inside, out as well as aerial/drone).  Larger homes or homes that are not prepped well may require longer appointment times.