8 Key Areas for Preparing a Property for Photography
Having a property ready for photography is a team effort on many different fronts. Between the homeowner, garden and lawn services, housekeepers, agents, and photographers, everyone needs to find a way to get onto the same page. This isn’t even counting on Mother Nature to play along with the plans you have made for listing a property. Knowing all this, there are eight key areas to focus on when preparing your property to list and having photographs taken.
General items for the best photos and should be done in all rooms and areas
Turn ON all lights. We can turn them off if there is too much light.
Turn OFF all ceiling fans. No one wants to see it spinning around in a photo.
Replace all burned-out light bulbs.
Make sure you are using all of the same types of light bulbs with the same color temperature. Some light bulbs are more yellow or warm, and others are more blue or cool in color. It looks bizarre when they are all different colors and brightnesses.
Turn OFF all televisions.
Open your blinds. If they are on strings, pull them up. If you have wooden blinds, make sure they are open, and all the slats are in the same direction.
Try to remove as many personal items as possible. By de-personalizing the home, potential buyers can see themselves in a property, not look at other people’s memories.
If you have dark paint colors, consider painting the interior of the house with a lighter color. Light colors make rooms feel larger and more spacious.
Vacuum, mop, and clean your house. Dirt does show up in photos, and its best to make the house look fresh.
Exterior
Clean up your yard and weed flower beds
Make sure you mow, edge, and trim/hedge all bushes to make sure they show as a well-manicured yard.
If you have planters or flower boxes, make sure they are planted with flowers and use them to add color to your exterior. If you have planters that don’t have flowers, it is best to go ahead and remove them. Having empty planters makes things look less cared for and could deter buyers.
Remove garden hoses should be removed and hidden in the garage or outdoor shed.
If there are swings, toys, or other outdoor play items, try to remove or minimize the number of items seeable. It’s best to de-personalize your space as best as possible.
Sweep off or use a blower to clear all debris, leaves, or dirt from all patios and walkways.
Wipe down all tables, especially glass tops. When the pollen piles up, you can see it in photos.
Look at all cushions and pillows on furniture. If they are worn out, chewed up by animals, or faded by the sun, you need to replace them.
If you have a pool, make sure you get the pool cleaned. Take the time to remove all pool chemicals and hide them with the pool equipment.
If you have a fountain or other water feature within the pool or hot tub, make sure it is on during the entire photo shoot.
Think of the backyard as your urban oasis and a place for relaxation. Does it provide that feeling? If not, how can you improve it to make it feel more relaxing?
Remove all cars from driveways and ensure that the garage doors are closed.
Before the photo shoot, take a moment and look at the front of your house. Think about the curb appeal and drive-by appearance. The front shot is typically the first photo used, so you want to make sure it leaves a good impression.
Main Living Areas Including Formal and Family Rooms
Remove all unneeded items from the room (i.e., kids’ toys).
Take off extra blankets from the couches and fluff all pillows.
Make sure to push in all cushions.
Clear unnecessary items from all side tables and mantles.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, make sure to remove all ashes and clean. If the paint has broken down, consider buying fireplace paint to give it a clean and refreshed look.
Kitchen
Clear off the counters. There is no need for cookbooks, dishes, appliances, or other items on the counter.
Wipe down all the countertops and ensure that the facings to your cabinets are clean and don’t have anything stuck onto them. (You would be amazed at how much we have seen.)
Clean off cooktops and put all pots, pans, and other items away.
Put garbage cans away either in the garage or in the pantry.
Make sure the sink is empty. If you have dirty dishes, clean them, or put them in the dishwasher.
Remove extra items around the sink like towels and soaps and hide them under the sink.
Dining Room
Clear off all items except for some flowers or some centerpiece on the table.
Take away all table settings and flatware. Please put all items away so as not to distract from the room itself.
Ensure all chairs are tucked in and spaced evenly. If we want to move a chair, we may move one around for the photo, but its best for all chairs to be pushed in.
Bedrooms
Please make all the beds. If you have lots of pillows, try to limit it to enough to make it look good but not overflowing the bed.
Clear off all side tables.
Remove all cell phones and watch chargers and hide them in a drawer.
Turn on side table lights.
Clear off dressers or other tabletops.
Clean under the beds, so items are not viewable when standing in the room.
Kids rooms - Try to limit the number of toys and items in the room. Too many items make the rooms feel small and cramped. This advice also goes for things on the walls like posters and graphics. Try to de-personalize as best as possible.
Kids rooms - If you have your children’s name on the wall, take it down. These photos will be all over the internet. You don’t want someone randomly knowing your children’s name and home address.
Bathrooms
Clear off the countertops. Hideaway all toothbrushes, soaps, towels, and other items. We want it to be as clean as possible.
If possible, close the door to the toilet. No one wants to see a toilet.
Close all closet doors. Most closets will not be photographed unless you have a fantastic closet.
Clear out the shower of all soaps, shampoos, and other products.
If you have new towels, you can place up to two on the towel racks. If you don’t have new fresh towels, its best to not have any towels at all.
Remove all floor mats. Show the flooring that is in the bathroom.
General Good Ideas
If you have pets, hide all of their stuff in the house. Put food and water bowls away or conceal them in a laundry room or pantry. Make sure their beds and toys are put away as well. The idea of animals deters some buyers, so you want to hide it as best as possible.
If you are doing dusk photos, make sure that all outside lights, including pool lights, are turned on at the time of the pictures.
