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Property Photography Check List

Is your house completely ready for the photographer to arrive? Double check by following this property photography prep list. This will guide you through everything we need to be done before our arrival -- saving you time, money, and a potential reshoot.

Keep this page bookmarked for hosting open house events or offering to a professional cleaning service. If you follow this plan then we guarantee the best results possible.

PS we understand there are totally valid reasons why not everything here can get done. Sometimes there's simply no space or time. In those situations, consider our digital decluttering option.

General home cleaning tips for a picture perfect MLS house

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 home cleaning tips for a picture perfect MLS house

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 home cleaning tips for a picture perfect MLS house

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 home cleaning tips for a picture perfect MLS house

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

Bathroom home cleaning tips for a picture perfect MLS house

Bathroom

  • 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 home cleaning tips for a picture perfect MLS house

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 and family room home cleaning tips for a picture perfect MLS house

Living / Family Room

  • Remove stacks of magazines, mail, etc.

  • Fluff and arrange furniture pillows

  • Remove kid’s toys

Master bedroom home cleaning tips for a picture perfect MLS house

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 bedroom home cleaning tips for a picture perfect MLS house

Kid Bedroom

  • 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

Pet cleaning tips for a picture perfect MLS house

Pets

  • Hide food and water bowls

  • Hide pet beds/toys

  • Contain pets in hidden crate or outside

  • Clear back yard of pet waste/toys

Extra pro home cleaning tips for a picture perfect MLS house

Extra Pro 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)

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