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)