One of the most important steps in attracting potential buyers to schedule a showing to see more is to take great real estate photos. Great real estate photography agents assist their clients in preparing their homes for sale by being honest and providing honest and respectful tips. At the end of the day, the better the house appears in the photograph, the more interest it is likely to receive.
A homeowner can prepare for the big photography day in a variety of ways.
It is preferable for the agent to provide the homeowner with specific instructions rather than suggestions or recommendations. People prefer to do what they are told rather than what is suggested. If you are not working with an agent and intend to go it alone, this checklist will come in handy to ensure that you have everything prepared.
It only makes sense to thoroughly clean the home from top to bottom, but we wanted to highlight a few areas that require special cleaning attention in order for a home to look amazing in real estate photos and videos. These are great things to do the day before a photo shoot. After cleaning, keep these areas clear so they look their best when the photographer arrives.
- Floors
- All carpets, including stairwells and area rugs, should be vacuumed.
- For the best shine, wet mop all hard floors.
- Countertops (clear & clean)
- Tabletops (clear & clean)
- Windows (Inside & Out)
- Fireplace
- Webs of Spiders (check ceiling corners with a duster)
- Landscape
- Remove Grass
- Remove Weeds
- Long tree branches should be pruned.
- Leaves Rake
- Clear the Snow
- Pool Is Clean
- Clean the Porch
What to Remove in Real Estate Photography
A number of items in most homes must be removed and not shown in photographs or videos. This can be inconvenient because it often necessitates looking for a place to store these items while the property is on the market. Keep a positive attitude in mind. The property will be sold, and the items will need to be packed for relocation anyway. We recommend that the following items be boxed and stored as soon as they are removed. The garage’s interior is rarely photographed. This can be an excellent location for storing these items.
- Personal photographs (feel free to substitute art/landscape photographs)
- Small area rugs (it’s always better to show off the entire floor)
- Cleaning Materials
- Shampoo, Toothbrushes, and Toothpaste
- Shoes
- Jackets
- Stick-On items for the fridge (magnets, pictures, etc…)
- Hoses (wall-mount, pool, etc.)
- Planters that are no longer in use
- Magazines, newspapers, and flyers
- Appliances for the Countertop
- Booster Seats for Children
- Gates for Babies
- Diaper Bins
- Garbage (kitchen, bathroom, other)
- Toys and Balls
- Mantel For Fireplace (limit to only a few items)
- Personal Items on Nightstands and Dressers
- Chargers for Cell Phones
- Family Photographs
- Items found beneath the bed (these can often be visible in a photo)
- Cars parked in the driveway
- Wall Decals and Stickers
Checklist for a Real Estate Photography Day
- Turn on all of the overhead lights and lamps.
- Turn off all ceiling fans.
- Turn off all televisions.
- Turn off all computer screens.
- Allow natural light in by opening blinds or window treatments.
- Make all of the beds.
- Close the garage doors.
- Remove all vehicles from the driveway.
- Take the dishes out of the sink.
- Straighten all of the chairs.
- Arrange and fluff furniture pillows
- Make the bed, add decorative pillows, and pull the linens tight.
- Completely clean the countertops.
- Remove the toilet seats.
- Close the closet doors.
- Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, and other items from showers and tubs.
- Set out new, unused towels.
- To remove pet hair from furniture, use a lint roller.
- Remove all pets from the house.
- Place garbage cans in the pantry or closet.
- Open the pool cover and activate the water features
Consider bringing out….
- Decorations for Tables
- Sun-bleached outdoor patio cushions that are bright and vibrant
- Colorful fresh fruit bowl
Keep in mind that your photographer is not responsible for picking up items, cleaning, adjusting linens, or rearranging furniture. This is the agent’s and homeowner’s responsibility. If you are unsure how something will appear in the photograph, plan to meet the photographer on location and request a preview of the photograph. This ensures that you are happy with the angles and content that appear in the final photo product. Check out some of our amazing works and book a quick call with our team to know more about our real estate photography services.
