PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR LISTING PHOTOS

Listing photos are often a buyer’s first impression of your home. Before your photographer arrives, focus on making each room feel clean, bright, spacious, and free from distractions.

THROUGHOUT THE HOME

•  Declutter visible surfaces

•  Put away personal paperwork and mail

•  Remove excessive family photos

•  Hide medications and valuables

•  Dust furniture, shelves, and décor

•  Vacuum carpets and rugs

•  Sweep and mop hard floors

•  Clean windows and mirrors

•  Wipe fingerprints from doors and glass

•  Clean baseboards if visibly dirty

•  Replace burned-out light bulbs

•  Make sure light bulbs in the same room have a similar color

•  Open curtains and blinds

•  Straighten blinds

•  Turn off ceiling fans

•  Hide visible cords and chargers

•  Straighten rugs

•  Remove unnecessary furniture if a room feels crowded

•  Remove trash cans from view when possible

•  Empty visible wastebaskets

•  Remove pet hair from furniture

•  Check each room for clutter one final time

LIVING ROOM

•  Clear the coffee table

•  Remove excess décor

•  Organize bookshelves

•  Simplify fireplace mantel décor

•  Fluff sofa cushions

•  Arrange throw pillows neatly

•  Fold throw blankets

•  Hide remote controls

•  Hide charging cables

•  Remove excess toys

•  Remove pet beds and toys

•  Clean fireplace and fireplace glass

•  Dust television and entertainment center

•  Conceal visible electronic cords

•  Arrange furniture to create clear walkways

KITCHEN

Keep kitchen counters as clear as possible.

•  Remove dishes from the sink

•  Clean and polish the sink

•  Clear countertops

•  Put away small appliances when possible

•  Remove dish soap and sponges

•  Remove drying racks

•  Remove food containers and snacks

•  Remove vitamins and medications

•  Remove refrigerator magnets

•  Remove photos and papers from refrigerator

•  Clear the top of the refrigerator

•  Clean appliance fronts

•  Polish stainless steel

•  Clean the stovetop

•  Remove pots and pans from the stove

•  Remove towels from oven and dishwasher handles

•  Clean backsplash

•  Hide trash and recycling cans

•  Remove pet food and water bowls

•  Straighten bar stools

•  Add one simple decorative item if desired

Simple styling ideas: a bowl of fruit, small plant, vase of greenery, or decorative cutting board.

DINING ROOM

•  Clear the dining table

•  Remove paperwork and homework

•  Wipe down the table

•  Straighten chairs

•  Remove extra chairs if the space feels crowded

•  Remove highchairs or booster seats when practical

•  Simplify the centerpiece

•  Clear buffet or sideboard surfaces

•  Straighten the area rug

•  Clean the light fixture

•  Open blinds and curtains

PRIMARY BEDROOM

•  Make the bed neatly

•  Smooth bedding

•  Arrange pillows

•  Remove excess decorative pillows

•  Clear nightstands

•  Hide charging cords

•  Remove medications

•  Remove water bottles and personal items

•  Clear dresser tops

•  Put away laundry

•  Hide hampers

•  Put away shoes

•  Remove fans, humidifiers, or other temporary items when possible

•  Open blinds and curtains

•  Straighten rugs

CHILDREN'S BEDROOMS

•  Make beds

•  Pick up toys

•  Organize stuffed animals

•  Put away laundry

•  Clear dresser tops

•  Organize bookshelves

•  Remove excessive items from the floor

•  Put away diapering supplies

•  Remove trash cans

•  Hide cords

•  Open blinds

•  Keep décor simple and tidy

The room can still look like a child lives there—the goal is organized, not empty.

BATHROOMS

•  Clean sinks and faucets

•  Clean mirrors

•  Clean toilets

•  Close toilet lids

•  Clean showers and tubs

•  Clean glass shower doors

•  Clear vanity countertops

•  Remove toothbrushes and toothpaste

•  Remove makeup and hair products

•  Remove razors

•  Remove medications

•  Remove shampoo and conditioner bottles

•  Remove children's bath toys

•  Hide toilet brushes and plungers

•  Remove trash cans

•  Remove laundry hampers

•  Hang clean towels neatly

•  Replace worn bath mats

•  Straighten shower curtain

•  Remove cleaning products

HOME OFFICE

•  Clear the desk

•  Put away paperwork

•  Secure confidential documents

•  Organize office supplies

•  Hide cords

•  Remove excess equipment

•  Straighten desk chair

•  Organize shelves

•  Remove boxes

•  Empty trash

•  Remove personal calendars or schedules

•  Open blinds

LAUNDRY ROOM

•  Put away clean and dirty laundry

•  Remove laundry baskets

•  Clear washer and dryer tops

•  Hide detergent and cleaning supplies

•  Remove hangers

•  Clean washer and dryer

•  Clean utility sink

•  Organize shelves

•  Sweep and mop floor

•  Remove trash can

CLOSETS

If closets will be photographed:

•  Remove excess clothing and belongings

•  Organize hanging clothes

•  Arrange shoes

•  Clear as much floor space as possible

•  Straighten shelves

•  Store luggage neatly

•  Remove laundry hampers

•  Make walk-in closets easy to enter

•  Turn on closet lights

ENTRYWAY

•  Put away shoes

•  Remove coats and jackets

•  Remove backpacks and bags

•  Clear console tables

•  Remove mail

•  Straighten rugs

•  Clean the front door

•  Clean glass doors

•  Remove excessive décor

GARAGE

If the garage will be photographed:

•  Move vehicles out

•  Organize tools

•  Stack storage bins neatly

•  Put away bicycles

•  Store lawn equipment neatly

•  Remove trash

•  Sweep the floor

•  Close cabinets

•  Organize shelves

•  Make sure garage lights work

•  Close garage doors for exterior photos

FRONT EXTERIOR

•  Mow the lawn

•  Edge sidewalks and driveway

•  Pull weeds

•  Trim shrubs

•  Remove dead plants

•  Sweep the porch

•  Sweep walkways

•  Remove cobwebs

•  Clean the front door

•  Clean porch lights

•  Straighten porch furniture

•  Remove excess porch décor

•  Replace a worn welcome mat if needed

•  Hide garden hoses

•  Hide trash and recycling bins

•  Remove children's toys

•  Remove pet waste

•  Move vehicles away from the house

•  Close garage doors

•  Make sure house numbers are visible

BACKYARD & PATIO

•  Mow the lawn

•  Pick up pet waste

•  Remove toys

•  Put away lawn equipment

•  Coil garden hoses

•  Sweep patio or deck

•  Clean outdoor furniture

•  Arrange furniture neatly

•  Straighten cushions

•  Remove damaged furniture

•  Clean grill exterior

•  Remove pool toys

•  Clean pool if applicable

•  Organize pool equipment

•  Remove fallen branches and debris

•  Make outdoor living areas look inviting

PETS

•  Remove food and water bowls

•  Put away pet toys

•  Remove pet beds

•  Hide litter boxes

•  Remove crates when practical

•  Pick up pet waste outside

•  Vacuum pet hair

•  Clean nose prints from windows and glass doors

•  Arrange for pets to be safely out of the photographer's way

THE MORNING OF YOUR PHOTO APPOINTMENT

•  Make every bed

•  Put away all dishes

•  Empty the kitchen sink

•  Clear kitchen counters

•  Clear bathroom counters

•  Close toilet lids

•  Put away toiletries

•  Put away laundry

•  Pick up toys

•  Empty visible trash cans

•  Vacuum high-traffic areas if needed

•  Open curtains and blinds

•  Straighten rugs

•  Fluff pillows

•  Fold blankets

•  Remove pet items

•  Hide trash and recycling bins

•  Move vehicles out of the driveway

•  Turn off televisions and computer screens

•  Turn off ceiling fans

•  Check mirrors for streaks

•  Make one final pass through every room

WHAT SHOULD I HIDE?

When in doubt, put it away.

•  Toothbrushes

•  Toiletries

•  Medications

•  Toilet brushes

•  Plungers

•  Trash cans

•  Laundry baskets

•  Cleaning supplies

•  Paperwork

•  Mail

•  Refrigerator magnets

•  Charging cords

•  Pet bowls

•  Pet beds

•  Litter boxes

•  Excess toys

•  Remote controls

•  Dish racks

•  Dish soap

•  Excess countertop appliances

•  Personal calendars

•  Prescription bottles

•  Valuables

5-MINUTE FINAL CHECK

Before you walk out the door:

•  Counters clear

•  Sink empty

•  Beds made

•  Toilet lids down

•  Laundry hidden

•  Toys picked up

•  Trash cans hidden

•  Pet items removed

•  Curtains and blinds open

•  Ceiling fans off

•  Floors clear

•  Porch tidy

•  Backyard tidy

•  Cars moved

•  Garage doors closed

REMEMBER

Your home does not need to look like no one lives there. It simply needs to look clean, cared for, and easy for a buyer to imagine as their own.

When preparing for photos, focus on four things:

Declutter. Clean. Brighten. Simplify.