Tips on Preparing for the Real Estate Shoot

To get the best results possible and present the property in the best possible light, some preparations are essential. Creating high quality imagery is a team effort.  Homeowners must be involved in the process to enable the  photograph to do their job. It really is important. The home needs to be clean and de-cluttered as much as possible. Below are some guide lines to follow in preparing a property for the real estate photo shoot.

Download preparation tips PDF:

Shoot Prep Checklist
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Interior Staging

Following these guidelines will go a long way to ensuring the best results possible.

It may seem extreme to remove personal items like family photos, religious items & political items but the goal is to enable the prospective buy to envision themselves living in the property.

• Make sure all light fixtures work properly
  
• Avoid mixing light types (warm incandescent & cool LED)
• Turn every single light ON
• Closets, tidy with nicely hung clothing; floors cleared
• Hide (out of sight): 
  • Trash cans
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Magazines
  • Books (unless in a bookshelf)
  • Coffeemakers (etc.)
  • Religious items
  • Political items
  • Tissue boxes
  • Broken decorations
  • Exposed power cords
• Towels on towel bars
• Add, or remove, artwork
• Remove toilet covers
• Clean all windows, glass, counters
• Dust everything & remove cobwebs
  
• Curtains, fresh looking
• Open all window and door covers (let all the light in)
• Refrigerator, free of magnets, kids’ drawings, fingerprints
• Bedrooms tidy, beds made
• Turn OFf
  • Ceiling fans
  • Computer screens
  • Televisions
  • Ceiling fans

Exterior Staging

Although some items can be remove in post-processing, If the need to do so is too extensive additional fees will need to be added to the price.

• Prune trees, foliage
• Hide (or out of sight):
  • Trash cans
  • Toys (including in pool areas)
  • Garden tools
  • Lawn equipment
  • Vehicles
• All light fixtures work properly
• Turn every single light ON (for twilight shoots)
• Grass, freshly cut and raked
• Clean, Swept, & Dry:
  • Driveways
  • Sidewalks
  • Patios & Decks
  • Staircases
• Pool should have clean, clear water      

General Staging

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
- Benjamin Franklin

• Vehicles
  
  • Driveways clear
    
  • No parking in front of home
    
• Garage
  
  • No vehicles
    
  • Clean, de-cluttered
    
  • As much off floor as possible
    
• Pets
  
  • Fish in clean tank, Ok
    
  • All other pets out of sight