Make your first impression the lasting impression. About 90% of potential home buyers are shopping online and the first thing they will see are photos of your home. Our goal is to set the bar so high for the client that they will love your home and stop searching for others.

Here are some tips that will help you get your home ready for photos. Many of these tips can be followed for showings as well.

  • Clear away all clutter, such as excess decorations, tissue boxes, remote controls, and personal items including photos.

  • Tidy up any visible wires, ensuring they're neatly tucked away out of sight.

  • Sweep floors and vacuum carpets thoroughly. If large area rugs are obscuring attractive flooring, think about removing them temporarily.

  • Additionally, stow away children's toys and portable cribs to maintain a neat appearance.

Living/Family Room

  • Should be spa-like, clear of all personal items. Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, etc.

  • Put toilet seats down.

  • Close closet doors.

  • Remove shampoo, soap, razors, etc. from showers and tubs.

  • Leave out only new, unused towels.

  • Remove floor mats.

  • Empty visible garbage cans.

  • Remove bathrobes and towels from back of doors.

Bathroom

  • Clean off countertops and store all small appliances in cabinets.

  • Clear the refrigerator of magnets and photos, and put away sponges and soap dispensers.

  • Make sure to remove any items from the top of the fridge and hide throw rugs.

  • For a finishing touch, consider setting the table or placing a bottle of wine with glasses to enhance the ambiance.

Kitchen & Dining Room

  • 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.

Outside

  • Make bed, include decorative pillows/shams if available. (New bedding is always impressive!)

  • Press, straighten 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.

  • Walk-in closets: remove hampers, straighten shoes perfectly, empty as much as possible to look spacious, use matching hangers.

Bedrooms

General Tips for All Areas of the Home

  • Wash windows or have them done.

  • Thoroughly clean whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clear countertops).

  • Turn all overhead lights

  • Replace all burned out light bulbs.

  • Use bulbs of the same temperature (i.e., all incandescent or all compact fluorescent).

  • Turn ceiling fans off.

  • Turn TVs off.

  • Turn computer screens off. Move laptops, routers, cables, etc. from view.

  • Open blinds/window treatments to let outside light in.

  • Make all beds. Purchase new comforters/spreads if possible. It shows a well-kept, excellent home.

  • Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring.

  • Place all shoes/jackets in closets.