How to Prepare for a Real Estate Photo or Video Shoot: Checklist
It’s time to sell your home!
Or perhaps you are a agent preparing for a photo or video shoot of a new listing. If that is the case, here are a couple tips on what you can do to prepare the home before a photographer or videographer comes over to start the work:
Exterior
o Close garage doors
o Remove cars from driveway and front of home - and far enough away in case drone footage is being taken of the property
o Clean up landscaping (mow, trim bushes, rake leaves)
o Remove visible water hoses
o Clean up dog waste
o Remove dog leashes
o Remove toys, dog toys, sports balls, basketball hoops, soccer goals, etc.
o Wash dirty windows
o Put trash bins in garage
o Clear snow and ice from driveways, walkways, and decks
o Clean deck furniture
o Tidy up chairs and cushions
o Clean pool and remove pool covers
All Interior
o Open all window shades
o Turn all lights on
o Remove shoes from entrance (place in closet)
Kitchen
o Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, silverware, mail, etc.
o Clear refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
o Hide garbage cans in closet or pantry
o Remove dishes from sink, put in dishwasher
o Remove rags and sponges from sink
Dining Room
o Clear table, dust table top
o Straighten all chairs
o Remove booster seats
Living/Family Room
o Remove stacks of magazines, books, papers, mail, etc.
o De-clutter fireplace mantle
o Arrange furniture pillows neatly
o Remove kid’s toys
o Light Fire Place
Living/Family Room
o Remove stacks of magazines, books, papers, mail, etc.
o De-clutter fireplace mantle
o Arrange furniture pillows neatly
o Remove kid’s toys
o Light Fire Place
Master Bedroom
o Make bed
o Tuck in all sheets and comforters
o Clear nightstands of personal items
o Remove computer/phone charging cables
o Remove clutter from tops of dressers
o Clean under bed, remove items that may show up in photos
Child/Guest Bedrooms
o Remove posters/stickers etc. from walls
o Make bed
o Tuck in all sheets/comforters
o Clean under bed, remove items that may show up in photo or video
Bathrooms
o Clear all personal items from view
o Clear countertops completely (no soap, toothbrushes, etc.)
o Put toilet seats down
o Close cabinet doors
o Remove shampoo, soap, razors, etc. from showers and bathtubs
o Leave out neatly arranged, clean towels (optional)
o Empty visible garbage cans
o Remove towels from back of doors
Pets
o As much as we love pets, there should be no evidence of them in your home
o Place food and water bowls out of view
o Place pet beds or toys out of view
o Remove pet hair on furniture
The goal is to have a home that looks as if it were not lived in. Sounds a bit harsh I know, but this is what sells. If people see your personal life slapped all over the marketing media, it will turn them off. The less clutter, furniture, nick knack items, and the more simple, open, and clean look you can create, the more attractive the end result will be.
Some people think, oh the photographer can just photoshop that out. If you think that, then you clearly do not understand the implications of how much time that can take and the extra it will cost. While sometimes it is possible to photoshop an item out of the image, photoshoping an image could be likened to your backup parachute. Your main parachute should be putting things away, following the list above, and preparing the property for a photographer. And if video is your aim, then anything in the home that is not cared for beforehand will show up on video, and there is very little you can do about that in post production.
The goal then is a property that is prepped and ready to go. Doing these items mentioned will significantly increase your efficiency and final product coming from your media agent.
