We've created the following pre-shoot checklist specifically for real estate agents and home-owners to minimize our time spent cleaning & maximize effectiveness & time behind the camera.
You and your client must ensure the following are complete in advance of our arrival, as the difference between an unprepared vs a prepared home is extremely important. If you don't follow this pre-shoot checklist, it WILL result in an impact in quality of the final deliverables. It is in your best interest to follow this checklist. Please realize that a picture & video are forever. Exactly how the home looks at the time of your session, is exactly how the home will look in your final deliverables.
There may be an amount of items on here that do not apply to every property. Still, please pay close attention as all the items are important.
We want your session to go as smooth as possible not only for our photographers, but for you as well! As a super quick summary, a clean, tidy, and staged home sells faster than a cluttered and messy one. Following this checklist will ensure your property is ready for potential buyers to see themselves inside your home, without the home-owners personal items clouding a buyer's mental image.
We strive to deliver outstanding quality, and we need your help to prepare your listing for a well-executed session. Thank you!
Exterior
- Remove cars from the driveway and front of the home, either in the garage or down the street. Garage doors must remain closed.
- Hide garbage cans, hoses, and gardening tools.
- Mow the lawn and remove any leftover debris (twigs, branches, discernable weeds).
- Remove any toys or sports equipment from the lawn and driveway.
- Uncover pools and hot tubs if clean; skim leaves. We will turn on lights and hot tub jets. Please put away cleaning equipment.
- Clean and arrange outside furniture, open patio table umbrella, tidy chairs, and plump cushions.
- Remove grill cover and hide utensils.
- Sweep sidewalks, driveway, patio, decks, and pool area.
- Remove all flags, hanging ornaments, and home security signs.
- Lighting
- Turn on ALL lights in the house; replace burnt-out bulbs.
- Turn ON ceiling fan lights; please keep fan OFF.
- If a window has curtains, please open them. If the window has blinds, lower them but keep horizontal slats open.
- Turn all TVs and computer screens OFF.
- Any glass door/window/mirror should be clean and free of streaks or fingerprints.
Kitchen/Dining Room
Recommended: Use standard dining table set up (i.e. plates, napkins, placemats, cutlery. Place bowl of fruit or flowers to add color, if possible).
- Clean off and wipe down all countertops.
- Remove appliances, knife blocks, toasters, etc. ONE nice, modern-looking device can stay (i.e., coffee maker or tea kettle on stove).
- Remove all items from the refrigerator (no magnets, pictures, etc.)
- Remove throw rugs, hanging towels, and paper towels.
- Hide garbage can, remove dishes and drain stopper.
- Straighten and tidy all chairs.
Bedrooms
- Make all beds; use decorative pillows if available.
- Remove ALL clutter from end tables, dressers, and nightstands. This includes personal photos, drinking cups, alarm clocks, etc.).
- Store away the phone, tablets, charging cords, books, tissues, and other items.
- If possible, remove all personal photos.
- Address any clutter under the bed that may show in photos or video.
- Walk-in closets should be clean and kept.
Bathrooms
- Arrange clean hand and body towels to be orderly.
- Hide all trash cans, plungers, or toilet scrubbers.
- Remove floor mats and be sure to close the toilet seat. Apply fresh toilet paper roll.
- Remove hygiene products from the counter, including bar soap, medications, and toothbrushes.
- Remove shampoos, razors, and loofahs from the shower; close the shower curtain or door.
Living Room/Family Room
- Vacuum, sweep, and mop where appropriate. This includes sweeping/dusting wooden floors.
- Tidy couches, fluff pillows, remove clutter from tables/desks.
- Dust off any screens.
- Sweep wooden floors.
Help us help you by ensuring your property is cleaned and cleared of any clutter, and is ready to the standard of our pre-shoot checklist. Our photographers will do their best to do anything on this list not accounted for before-hand, but our job is not to clean the property. We will not touch or move any personal hygiene items, & a minimum fee of $15 will be applied to each image that needs additional items taken out via Photoshop. Thank you for your cooperation.
Feel free to ask any questions at any time regarding the staging or preparation of your listing!