Pre-Shoot Checklist

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General tips for all areas of the home.

• Thoroughly clean whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean countertops, clean windows)
• Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON
• Replace all burned out light bulbs
• Use light bulbs that have the same temperature (ALL incandescent, ALL compact fluorescent or ALL LED)
• Turn all ceiling fans OFF
• Turn all televisions OFF
• Turn all computer screens OFF
• Open blinds/window treatments to let in outside light
• Remove personal photographs (or replace with general landscape/object photographs)
• Make all beds
• Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring
• Place all shoes/jackets in closets

Front Exterior - Online “curb appeal” – the front exterior is generally the first photo buyers see, let's make it a good one.

• Close garage doors
• Remove cars from driveway and front of home
• Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)
• Remove empty planters
• Use broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames
• Remove visible water hoses
• Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.
• Pressure wash driveways and walkways as needed

Backyard 

• Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions
• Pillows/cushions should be fresh, not faded
• Clear out kid’s toys, balls, frisbees, etc.
• Clean pool
• Remove pool vacuum/cleaner hose
• Hide pool cleaning supplies
• Turn on pool fountains/water features
• Remove visible water hoses
• Remove trash cans
• Pressure wash patios and pool decks as needed

Interior - the bulk of listing photographs are taken inside the home.  Let's go room by room.

Kitchen - the heart of every home.

• Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.
• At most, leave out one small appliance (ex. coffee maker)
• Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
• Wipe down stainless appliances with stainless wipes
• Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
• Remove dishes from sink, place in dishwasher

Dining Room

• Clear table, dust and polish the table top
• Use decorative place setting if available
• Feature one center piece such as a bouquet of flowers
• Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
• Remove child seats/booster chairs

Living and Family Rooms

• Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.
• De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than 5 items, including art)
• Clean interior of fireplace and re-paint if needed
• Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
• Remove kid’s toys

Primary Bedroom

• Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available
• Press bed linens and bed skirts
• Clear nightstands of all personal items
• Store away phone/tablet charging cables
• Remove all clutter from top of dressers
• Remove family photos from walls
• Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

Kids or Guest Bedrooms

• Remove personalized names from walls
• Remove wall stickers/posters
• Remove diaper genies
• Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

Bathrooms

• Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.
• Put toilet seats down
• Close closet doors
• Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs
• Remove dirty towels – leave out only new, unused towels
• Remove floor mats

Garages - many times homeowners won't want the garage photographed but a photograph or two of the garage can go a long way with potential buyers.   If at all possible, take a few steps to prepare the garage. 

• Remove all cars
• Organize items in garage
• Sweep out
• Keep the floor as clear as possible to showcase size

Pets - we love pets but their presence should  be minimized.

• Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet
• Place pet beds/toys in pantry or closet
• Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair
• Clear back yard of pet waste/toys
• Contain all pets out of sight 

When we arrive to take photos of your property, we ask that all staging and cleaning be done PRIOR to our arrival.  To efficiently maintain our busy schedule and deliver the level of service that clients expect, we cannot spend unnecessary time at the home waiting for it to be cleaned, dusted, de-cluttered, etc. 

Please avoid having our photographers do the following:

• Move or re-arrange furniture
• Make beds, clean, dust or de-clutter
• Pick up toys or yard items
• “Photoshop” vehicles, walls, damaged walls, power lines, wall pictures, cords, etc.
• Touch personal bathroom supplies (shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant, towels, etc.)

Thank you for understanding!