Home Prep Guide
Getting a home in its absolute best condition prior to a photo shoot will ensure the highest quality marketing photographs. A home that is cluttered and not ready for photographs could cost the homeowner thousands and increased time on market. Although the photographer may make minor adjustments on the day of the shoot, the home will be shot ‘as is’. With the limited time-frame to shoot the exterior and interior, the photographer will not have time to move furniture and clean up cluttered rooms. A photo shoot will be rescheduled with a rescheduling fee charged if a home is not ready for photographs.
To help prepare for an upcoming photo shoot, we’ve prepared the following home prep checklist below.
A printable version of the checklist below can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking here. I encourage listing agents to download and email this checklist to homeowners in advance of a scheduled photo shoot.
General
☐ Ensure contractors or landscapers are not scheduled to be working at the property during the photo shoot.
☐ Secure any pets to a room that won’t be photographed or backyard while the interior is being photographed. Photographer will not risk having a dog knock over a light stand or tripod.
Exterior
☐ Remove vehicles, RV’s from driveway and front of home
☐ Place garbage cans where they can’t be seen
☐ Roll up and hide from view any garden hoses
☐ Hide garden tools
☐ Mow the grass, pull weeds and clean up any dog poops.
Pool/Spa
☐ Water is clear and algae free
☐ Remove and hide pool cover if applicable
☐ Remove any floating chairs, toys and chlorinators
☐ Remove robotic pool vacuum
☐ Turn on pool light and surrounding landscape lighting if shooting at twilight
Kitchen
☐ Remove small appliances from counter tops. It’s OK to leave one appliance like a coffee machine.
☐ Remove utensils, towels, paper towel holders, soap dispensers, cleaning supplies, phone chargers, dinnerware from counter tops and sink area.
☐ Remove refrigerator magnets
☐ Remove trash cans, floor mats and pet bowls.
☐ Remove any newspapers or magazines.
☐ Open any window blinds or other window coverings to let in as much natural light.
Bedrooms
☐ Make sure beds are neatly made.
☐ Remove from walls any posters, sports memorabilia, personal photos.
☐ Put all toys and stuffed animals out of sight.
☐ Remove any items on nightstands and dressers like jewelry boxes, alarm clocks, remote controls, chargers, papers, etc.
☐ Remove any excess furniture and floor standing appliances like space heaters, air cleaners, humidifiers.
☐ Make sure nothing stored under the bed is visible.
☐ Turn off ceiling fans and clean any dust from blades.
☐ Try to hide electrical cords and cables from view.
☐ Replace any non-working light bulbs.
☐ Let in as much natural light by opening blinds and drapes.
Bathrooms
☐ Make sure all bathroom surfaces are thoroughly cleaned including mirrors.
☐ Close toilet covers for photo shoot.
☐ Replace any broken light bulbs. Turn on lights for photo shoot.
☐ Remove shower accessories, sponges, wash cloths, towels, soaps and hair care items from master shower/bath.
☐ Open shower curtain all the way to the side.
☐ Remove toilet cover and rugs.
☐ Neatly fold towels on tower bars.
Living/Family Rooms
☐ Leave just enough furniture to give sense of scale/proportion to room.
☐ Remove appliances like robotic vacuums, air cleaners, humidifiers.
☐ Remove most items from shelving units.
☐ Remove video games, DVD’s, remote controls.
☐ Neatly organize wiring in view. Hide electrical cords if possible.
☐ Remove family photos and other personal items.
☐ Turn off ceiling fans and clean blades.
☐ Arrange accent pillows on sofas and fluff up cushions.
☐ Dust and clean surfaces.
☐ Vacuum and clean carpets.