INTERIOR

Whole House

  • Clean house entirely.
  • Clean rugs if necessary.
  • Freshly vacuum and dust the house.
  • Wipe down baseboards.

Windows

  • Open the blinds/window shades to allow for natural light, unless there is something you don’t want visible through the window.
  • Clean windows (preferably professionally, inside and out).

Lighting

  • Replace burnt out light bulbs.
  • Use same temperature light bulbs (e.g., soft white or daytime).
  • Turn on all lamps and overhead lights. 
  • Turn OFF the ceiling fans.

Kitchen

  • Remove all items from the outside of the refrigerator (e.g., magnets, calendars, children’s artwork).
  • Clean and clear the kitchen sink (e.g., hide sponges, drying racks, scrubbers).
  • Clean and clear stovetop (e.g., remove tea kettles).

Personal Items & Family Photographs

  • Remove as many personal items/photographs and awards/certificates as possible.
  • Do not leave out jewelry of any kind. 
  • Remove or store safely items of value.

Bathrooms

  • Put ALL toilet seats and lids down. 
  • Clean shower doors (if necessary, hire a professional to steam clean glass shower doors).
  • Close all shower curtains (especially if tile is not clean).
  • Remove all toothbrushes, hair products, razors etc. from countertops.
  • Clean mirrors.
  • Hang bath/hand towels neatly or remove entirely.

Closets

  • We do not shoot inside “normal” closets. 
  • We do shoot walk-in closets that have been designated by the listing agent as a feature of the property.

Toys

  • Minimize the amount if possible.
  • Organize them neatly.

Bedrooms

  • Minimize items on nightstands to a lamp, clock or box of Kleenex. Nothing personal.
  • Make ALL the beds.

Miscellaneous Items

  • Switch OFF all TVs & dust or wipe.
  • Switch OFF all computer screens & dust or wipe.
  • Put away all clothing and shoes in drawers and closets (even those at the front door). A mud room shoe rack is fine.

Pets

  • It’s preferable dogs be taken for a walk or crated out-of-sight during photo shoot.
  • It’s preferable cats also be removed to ensure nobody “sneaks” into an image.
  • Fish tanks should be clean and not murky.
  • Temporarily remove all pet food bowls, bedding and crates.

EXTERIOR

Front Door/Porch

  • Remove any items hanging on the door. They are buying your door not the wreath.
  • Straighten/clean outdoor furniture.
  • Freshen up any potted flowers or clean out the old debris/remove completely.

Lights

  • For twilight, turn on all outside lights (e.g., outside garage, front & back porches/patios). 
  • Garbage cans, place them in the garage, preferably not on the side or the front of home.

Cars/Trucks/Trailers/Motorhomes

  • No vehicles of any kind on the driveway.
  • Homes with parking for trailers and motorhomes, on the side and not directly in the front of home, that’s an exception. (This is often a selling point for the home.)

Garage

  • Always closed.
  • We do not shoot inside the garage unless it is very neat and organized. When built-ins are included then the items in the garage become a selling point. PLEASE share that information so our photographer doesn’t miss shooting it.


Security Yard Signs

  • Temporarily remove them.


Seasonal Items

  • If possible, remove them temporarily (e.g., flags, pumpkins, holiday items).

Landscaping

  • Trim shrubs.
  • Mow the lawn.
  • Turn off sprinklers for the photo shoot.
  • Clean out flower beds (e.g., mulch hides messy beds).
  • Clean up leaves.
  • Roll up hose or remove completely.

Backyard

  • Clean deck.
  • Straighten/clean or cover outdoor furniture. 
  • Purchase new cushions and/or pillows (if necessary).
  • Remove items that cause the yard to feel smaller (e.g., trampoline).
  • Remove or place all athletic items in garage or organize neatly (e.g., athletic balls, football/soccer/lacrosse goals).
  • Pools and/or Hot Tubs be sure they are clean. Remove pool toys. Neatly store all outdoor cleaning supplies.
  • Turn on all water features (e.g., fountains)
  • Cover grills.
  • Uncover firepits. For twilight shoots (if possible) light the firepits.