Ready, Set, Sell: What Checklist Should You Follow To Prepare Your Home for a Listing Photoshoot?
When preparing your home for a listing photoshoot, it’s important to keep in mind that the goal is to make the space look as attractive and appealing as possible to potential buyers. Here are a few things to consider when getting ready for the photoshoot. Feel free to download the pdf to print for your personal use.
Right Before Arrival
- REMOVE ALL unnecessary objects from surfaces (personal photos, bathroom toiletries, kitchenware, personal belongings.)
- Turn ON ALL interior lights, including table-top lamps, lights in furniture cabinets and kitchen cabinets
- Turn OFF all ceiling fans
- Light candles (if desired)
- Start Fireplaces
- Open all blinds, shades, and curtains
- Clear all vehicles and trash cans from the driveway and the street in front of the home
- Sweep pine needles from driveways, walkways, and patios
- Secure all animals in a safe location, away from all rooms being photographed during the entirety of the appointment
Exterior Front + Back
- Remove cars from driveway
- Close all windows / not window coverings
- Sweep walkways
- Pick up leaves, sticks, branches
- Put toys, bicycles away
- Store seasonal decor
- Stow garden tools, supplies
- Remove all hoses
- Straighten and arrange deck furniture
- Stow away garbage and recycling receptacles
Interior Main Areas
- Remove personal items / photos
- Remove all visible clutter
- Tilt Open shades/blinds 45º up
- Replace burned out light bulbs
- Tidy up / put away all children’s toys
- Turn on all lights unless natural light is better
- Hide pet dishes / toys / beds
- Vacuum carpets / Sweep Hard Floors / Remove Small Rugs
- Turn off TV Screens
- Remove newspapers, mail, waste baskets
- Display Attractive Books
Interior Kitchen
- Remove all items from refrigerator door
- Store food in cabinets
- De-clutter counters, stove
- Stow small appliances
- Hide soaps, cleaning items
- Hide dish towels, sponges
- Clear sink of dishes
- Put away draining rack
- Organize items on open shelves
- Place bowl of fruit on counter
- Display Cook Books, Flowers
Interior Dining
- Straighten/push in dining chairs
- Add centerpiece, candles
- Set the table for dinner
- Add a vase of flowers
- Add a bottle of wine / sparkling water, glasses
Interior Bed / Bathrooms
- Make the beds using neutral bedding – think hotel bed
- Arrange decorative pillows
- Put away clothing, shoes, toys, workout items, pet beds
- Clean under the bed
- Clear surfaces of clutter
- Remove small rugs
- Hang fluffy white towels (think hotel) and refill toilet paper rolls
- Hide shampoos, scrubs, caddies, and all toiletries
Preparing for a Twilight Photoshoot
- Turn on everything that has a lightbulb 30 minutes before the scheduled time of the twilight photo shoot.
- TURN-ON ALL Interior overhead lights, ceiling fan lights, under cabinet lighting, and lamps visible from windows, etc.
- TURN-ON ALL Exterior Lights, landscape lighting, garage lights, porch / patio lighting, water feature lights, warm tone patio string lights, etc.
- Start all fireplaces inside and out (wood is optional)
- DO NOT TURN-ON colored lighting, or security lighting
- ALL CEILING FANS MUST BE OFF
- Pull open all window coverings so just the glass is visible
- Turn on all water features and landscape lighting
Remember that this list is a general guide and may need to be adjusted depending on the condition of your home and your local market conditions. But by focusing on each area and utilizing the right lighting, staging and furniture placement, you will be able to maximize the appeal of your home to potential buyers.
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