Our objective is to capture your home with the utmost quality to captivate potential buyers and elicit offers. To ensure a seamless and secure photoshoot experience, we’ve compiled a preparation checklist outlining the tasks to complete before our arrival.
General Prep
Prepare for the Photoshoot:
Ensure your home is clean and staged the day before the photoshoot. Small items may be adjusted for better photo composition, but larger items and staging accessories should be in place upon my arrival.
Pet Safety and MLS Compliance:
While we adore pets, they cannot be present during the photoshoot. Please secure or remove dogs from the property for safety and to comply with MLS regulations, which prohibit people and pets in photos. Cats should also be secured, although they usually pose fewer challenges. It’s a good practice to hide pet food and water bowls as well.
Stay Out of Sight:
All occupants should plan to either leave the property or remain in areas where they won’t be visible during the photoshoot. Occupied rooms can cast shadows, create reflections, and pose a risk to the photography equipment set up throughout the property.
Utilize the Garage for Storage:
Garages are typically not included in the photoshoot, making them an excellent location to store any items you wish to keep out of view.
Outside Prep
Clear the Driveway and Street:
Ensure there are no cars in the driveway, and if possible, move any cars from the street in front of your home to provide an unobstructed view of your property.
Avoid Wetting Driveways:
Refrain from wetting driveways on the day of the shoot. The desired wet look can be added during the editing process to prevent dry spots and puddles.
Conceal Trashcans:
Place trashcans on the side of the property or in the garage to keep them out of sight.
Hide Hoses:
Hide hoses the day before the shoot to prevent water drips on the pavement, which can create puddles in the pictures.
Lawn Maintenance:
Mow and trim the yard at least 24 hours prior to your photoshoot.
Turn Off Sprinklers:
Refrain from watering on the day of the shoot to prevent puddles on the pavement.
Pet Waste Cleanup:
If you have a dog, ensure that all of their waste is cleared from the yard.
Prepare Pool and Spa:
If you have a pool and/or spa, ensure they are clean with covers removed. Provide instructions to the realtor on how to operate the spa.
Prepare Water Features:
Clean fountains, waterfalls, etc., and provide instructions to the realtor on how to activate them.
Remove For-Sale Sign:
Remove the for-sale sign from the property or install it after the shoot, as visible signs violate MLS policies and may not always be editable.
Clean Outdoor Furniture:
Dust and remove cobwebs from all outdoor furniture. Avoid hosing down the furniture on the day of the shoot to prevent puddles.
Inside Prep
Declutter Kitchen:
A few items on the counters are usually fine, but dishes, sponges, rags, etc. should be put away. It’s best to remove all magnets, pictures, etc. from the refrigerator and remove throw rugs from the floor.
Declutter Bathrooms:
Toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, and other “personal” items should be hidden. Decorative unused soaps, candles, flowers, etc. are preferred. It’s also good to remove all throw rugs from the floor.
Prep Bedrooms:
All bedrooms should have their beds made and items put away.
Hide Trashcans:
Trashcans can distract, so it’s best to hide all of them in closets or the garage.
Hide Portable Fans:
- Ceiling fans are selling items but portable fans can give the wrong impression. It’s best to hide all portable fans in closets or the garage.
Hide Cords and Remotes:
- Sometimes electrical cords can’t be hidden, but you will have more appealing pictures if you can hide TV remotes, game consoles, and any noticeable cords.
Clear Entryways:
- Remove all shoes, umbrellas, and similar items from entryways.
Open Blinds with Views:
- Your indoor photos will show outdoor views if there are views, or just light if a window looks onto a neighbor or other unappealing view.
Turn on Lights:
Before I arrive, please make sure all interior lights are turned on. If need-be, please replace all burned-out bulbs at least 24 hours before the photoshoot.
Turn off Ceiling Fans:
Before I arrive, please make sure all ceiling fans are turned off.
Twilight Prep
If you’ve scheduled a twilight shoot, the following are additional items to prepare before our arrival. Please note that twilight shoots have tight schedules to ensure optimal lighting, so ensure all these items are ready before we arrive.
Turn on all interior and exterior lights:
All lights throughout the property need to be turned on. Please replace all burned-out bulbs at least 24 hours before the photoshoot.
Turn on spas and remove covers:
If you have a spa, remove the cover and turn it on before we arrive. Also, turn on the lights in the spa.
Turn on pool lights:
If you have a pool, turn on the pool lights before we arrive.
Turn on water features:
If you have fountains, waterfalls, or similar water features, please turn them on before we arrive.
