📸 20 Essential Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Real Estate Photos
When it comes to selling your home, first impressions are everything—and in today's digital market, that impression starts online. With most buyers beginning their search on real estate websites, your listing photos can make or break the amount of interest your home receives.
Professional photography helps your property stand out, but even the best photographer can't work magic on a cluttered or unprepared space. The secret to jaw-dropping listing photos? Proper preparation.
Here’s a comprehensive 20-step checklist to ensure your home is clean, bright, and camera-ready from every angle.
🧼 1. Declutter and Depersonalize
Remove everyday clutter from countertops, shelves, and floors. Store personal items like family photos, keepsakes, and excessive decor to create a clean, neutral canvas that lets buyers picture themselves in the space.
✨ 2. Deep Clean Every Room
From baseboards to bathroom tiles, a spotless home always photographs better. Focus on floors, countertops, mirrors, windows, and any shiny surfaces.
🍽️ 3. Clear and Clean Kitchen Surfaces
Wipe down all surfaces, including countertops, appliances, sinks, and backsplashes. Store small appliances and leave just one or two tasteful decor items.
🚿 4. Declutter Bathrooms
Remove toiletries from counters, tubs, and showers. Spotless mirrors, polished fixtures, and folded towels help create a spa-like feel.
💡 5. Replace Burned-Out Light Bulbs
Even lighting is key. Check every fixture and bulb in the home—including accent lighting, lamps, and exterior lights.
🌞 6. Turn On All Lights
Before the photo shoot, turn on every light in the home. A bright interior looks more welcoming and photographs beautifully.
🪟 7. Open All Window Treatments
Let natural light flood in by opening all blinds and curtains. Clean windows will enhance the effect and prevent unwanted reflections.
🛋️ 8. Remove Excess Furniture
Overcrowded rooms look smaller in photos. Consider removing bulky or unnecessary pieces to create a spacious, open feel.
🏡 9. Remove Floor Mats and Runners
While useful in daily life, floor mats can visually shrink space in wide-angle photos. Temporarily store them away during the shoot.
❌ 10. Turn Off Fans and Screens
Ceiling fans, TVs, and computer monitors can create motion blur or unwanted glare. Make sure everything is powered off.
🧲 11. Clear the Fridge of Magnets and Notes
A clean, bare refrigerator surface creates a sleek, modern kitchen appearance.
🛏️ 12. Make All Beds Neatly
Clean, wrinkle-free bedding helps bedrooms feel fresh and inviting. Consider decorative pillows or throws for a polished look.
🖼️ 13. Remove Personal Photos
Buyers want to envision themselves in your home—not you. Take down all personal pictures and family portraits.
👟 14. Store Shoes and Jackets
Keep entryways and closets looking neat and spacious by tucking away coats, shoes, and bags.
🛏️ 15. Tidy Nightstands and Dressers
Limit visible items to a lamp and maybe one small decor piece. Clean surfaces make bedrooms feel calm and orderly.
🐶 16. Remove All Pet Items
Store beds, bowls, litter boxes, and toys. Clean pet areas thoroughly to eliminate odors and allergens.
🌳 Exterior Prep: Don’t Forget the Outside!
🌿 17. Tidy the Yard & Landscaping
Mow the lawn, trim bushes, pull weeds, and freshen up flower beds. Curb appeal matters!
🧹 18. Sweep Porches, Decks, and Patios
Clear leaves, dust, and dirt. Outdoor spaces should look clean and ready for entertaining.
🚗 19. Clear Driveway and Street
Remove all vehicles from the driveway and in front of your home. This keeps the focus on your property, not your car.
🗑️ 20. Hide Trash Bins and Tools
Move garbage cans, hoses, lawn equipment, and toys out of sight. A clutter-free yard completes the polished look.
📋 Final Walkthrough Before the Photographer Arrives
- ✅ All lights on
- ✅ Window treatments open
- ✅ Surfaces cleaned and cleared
- ✅ Electronics and fans off
- ✅ No vehicles in driveway
- ✅ Personal and pet items stored
Remember: These small steps can lead to big returns. A well-prepped home attracts more views, more showings, and ultimately stronger offers.
📞 Need help staging or prepping your home for photos? Contact us today—we’d love to help you make a picture-perfect first impression!