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)