HOME PREP GUIDE
A Comprehensive Guide Provided for Agents and Homeowners, to Assist in preparing for Your Professional Photography Session and Home Showings.
General
Thoroughly clean entire house (vacuum carpets, mop hardwood floors, clean counter-tops, clean windows/mirrors)
Turn on all overhead lights
Replace all burnt out bulbs
Turn all ceiling fans off
Open all blinds, shades & curtains (replace or remove broken ones). Close all windows.
Turn all TV’s/computer screens off
Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring
Remove all baby gates
Place all shoes/jackets in closets
Remove tissue boxes
Remove all doilies
Remove all religious, political, Holiday & highly personal items (family photos)
Front Exterior
Remove all vehicles, trash cans, recycle bins from driveway
Close garage doors
Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)
Remove hoses, sprinklers, garden tools, children’s/pet’s toys
Remove any Holiday Decor & Security signs
Bedrooms
Make all beds (replace dated bedding with white comforters)
Remove all personal items from bedside tables/dressers (photos, tissues, lotions, phone chargers etc.)
Store away phone/tablet charging cables
Remove clutter from top of dressers
Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos
Remove laundry baskets
Bathrooms
Please remove over-the-door hooks/hangers for towels and robes
Remove all personal items from sinks/bath (toothbrushes, shampoos, soaps)
Clean all mirrors (spots will show up in photos)
All toilet seats should be down
Bath rugs will likely be removed
Replace hand towels with clean (white) new towels for photos/open houses
Kitchen/Dining
Remove all magnets from the refrigerator
Clear top of refrigerator off
Remove all dishes, soap, dish drainers & hand towels
Remove most, but not all, items from counters (can leave decorative canisters, colorful bowl of fruit, flowers & 1-2 small/clean appliances)
Remove all trash cans
Remove dishes, dish towels, soaps and sponges from sink/oven
Remove drying racks
Remove table cloths
Remove all high chairs/booster seats
Living Room
Remove clutter (personal photos, newspapers etc.)
Clear all mantles of personal items
Remove kids toys
Hide remotes
Remove unattractive blankets
Pets
Place food/water bowls in pantry or closet
Remove pet beds and all toys
Assist in containing pets while photos are being taken (crate, take dog for walk etc.)
Clear backyard of all toys and pet waste
Pet’s /Pet crates should not be in photos
Make sure house is pet odor free for prospective buyers
Rear Exterior
Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions
Put away kids/pet toys
Clean pool (remove pool vacuum/cleaner hose)