Getting a Home ‘Shot-Ready’

Assisting your sellers in getting their home ‘shot-ready’ for a Real Estate listing, not only helps me greatly, but also allows the sellers to concentrate on the important aspects.

Here is a check-list to go over with them.

Pre-Arrival Preparations

Clean and de-clutter the house, focusing on paperwork and cords on counters, dressers, and tables.
Vacuum/mop/sweep beforehand as dirt, dust or pet hair might show up in photos.
Make beds.
Pay special attention to kitchen and bathroom counters.
When staging a house, simplicity is always best.
During the photoshoot, I try to move as little furniture as possible.

Entryways

Clear entryways of shoes, jackets, and other clutter.

Personal Items

Remove family and personal photographs, especially of children. MLS has restrictions on people and pets in photos.
Maybe remind sellers that these photos will be made public, and complete strangers will view them.

Pet Owners

Remind pet owners to pick up toys, beds, and feeding bowls.
If possible, remove pets from the property for the shoot as they can dirty windows and may come up to them to see what’s happening.

Kitchen

Remove magnets and anything from the refrigerator.
Wipe down appliances, especially in high-traffic areas, as fingerprints will appear in photos.
For homes with granite countertops, wipe them down to avoid smudges.

Bathrooms

Put toilet seats down and tidy toilet roll.
Hide shampoo/conditioner bottles and soap.
Clean mirrors and shower doors if glass.
Hang nice towels and shower curtain.

Trash Cans

Remove or hide trash cans.

Windows

Clean windows, especially for homes with views.
Keep all blinds open.

Lighting

Turn on all lights in the house.
Check in advance to see if any light bulbs are out or if any light fixture sets have different colored bulbs.

Fans

Turn off fans to avoid motion blur in composite images.
Hide small portable fans.

Yard

Prepare yards by removing leaves from paths, winding up hoses, and removing cobwebs, especially from light fixtures.
Wipe down any outdoor furniture.
Ensure any outdoor water features are on for photographs.
Make sure sprinklers won’t turn on during the shoot as my equipment is expensive.

Vehicles

Clear cars from the driveway or in front of the house.

Occupants

All occupants should vacate the property on the day of the shoot.
If they must stay, ensure they are tucked away to avoid being seen, casting shadows, or appearing in reflections.

Additional Tips