Property Photography Check List

This list is also helpful for Open House preparation!

 

General

  • Turn ON all overhead lights and lamps
  • Wipe down all countertops and tables
  • Mop/Vacuum floors (remove any stains)
  • Clean all windows inside and outside
  • Replace all burned out light bulbs
  • Turn all ceiling fans to slowest speed or off
  • Turn all TVs OFF
  • Turn all computer screens OFF
  • Halfway open all blinds/window treatments
  • Make all beds
  • Place all shoes/jackets in closets

 

Front Exterior

  • Close garage doors
  • Remove cars from driveway and front of home
  • Clean grease stains from driveway
  • 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.

 

Backyard

  • Clean porch
  • Tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions
  • Clean Pillows/cushions (should be fresh, not faded, and free of mold/mildew)
  • Clear out kid’s toys, balls, frisbees, etc.
  • Remove any toy items in pool
  • Remove pool vacuum/cleaner hose
  • Hide pool cleaning supplies
  • Turn on pool fountains/water features
  • Remove visible water hoses
  • Remove trash cans

 

Kitchen

  • Clear countertops completely (No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.)
  • Leave out max of one small appliance (ex. coffee maker)
per counter/table
  • Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
  • Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
  • Remove dishes from sink and breakfast area

 

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 clean, unused towels
  • Remove floor mats

  

Dining Room

  • Clear and wipe table, dust and polish the table top if necessary
  • Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
  • Remove child seats/booster chairs

 

Living / Family Room

  • Remove stacks of magazines, mail, etc.
  • Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
  • Remove kid’s toys

 

Master Bedroom

  • Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available
  • Press bed linens and bed skirts
  • Clear nightstands of all personal items
(chargers, remotes, etc.)
  • Plug in and turn nightstand lights ON
  • Remove all clutter from top of dressers
  • Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

 

Kid/Bedrooms

  • Remove diaper genies, trash cans, etc.
  • Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos
  • Straighten up clutter/toys as much as possible

 

Pets

  • Hide food and water bowls
  • Hide pet beds/toys
  • Contain pets in hidden crate or outside
  • Clear back yard of pet waste/toys

 

Tips

  • Make sure each room as a clear purpose (Dining room looks like dining room, Game room, etc.)
  • Broken items should be repaired (if a fireplace is boarded up, unboard it and clean it out)
  • Unused/Neglected areas should be addressed (if a pool is brown and has trash in it, drain/clean it out)
  • Oversized items should be stored/replaced for photos and possibly for duration of listing process (if your couch takes up the entire living room or desk the entire office, you may consider trading with a friend for a while or renting from a staging company)