Seller Resource

Be Prepared for Professional Photography

Great photos don't happen by accident. Here's exactly how to prepare your home so every shot works hard to attract buyers.

Amy Beyer Realtor  ·  Grapevine, TX  ·  Powered by Real Broker, LLC

Professional real estate photography includes both the interior and exterior of the home. This list may look daunting, but this is what it takes to make your home stand out from the competition just by looking at photos.

We are not photographing your home; we are photographing the potential new home of prospective buyers. Do not take the process personally, it is part of the business of selling a house. Show what's actually conveying: it's not your furnishings but what you've done to the house itself that makes it feel like a home.

High quality photography will show the home exactly as it is. Some minor flaws and dirt can be corrected in post-processing, but if you can see it with your eye then the camera lens will pick it up in the photographs. Smudges and dirt on glass will be noticeable in the photographs.

All glass needs to sparkle!

The photography appointment happens during the best time of day for light exposure, or at twilight, and not necessarily when it's convenient for you.

General Prep Work

• Remove excess furnishings and knick-knacks everywhere.
• Large amounts of furniture and decor do not generally photograph well and can be distracting.
• Pick up throw rugs and runners in entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms so the floor can be clearly seen.
• Wash the windows (or have them washed). Their sparkle will be seen in the photo!
• Vacuum and/or mop the floors so no major dark spots show in the photos.

Home Exterior

• Remove all cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles etc. from the driveway; do not park in front of the house.
• Move garbage and recycling cans out of sight.
• Remove broken yard art, garden tools, wind-up hoses. No yard clutter.
• Pick up after pets the photographer will be walking in your backyard.
• Mow the grass, rake up leaves and debris, pull weeds and remove dead vegetation.
• Add mulch to your flower beds same color front and back (if applicable).
• If you are feeling ambitious, plant some fresh flowers in empty planters and pots.
• Sweep/blow off front porch, doorways, driveways, sidewalks and patios.

Swimming Pools & Spas

• The pool MUST be sparkling clean. Sweep dirt from the bottom and skim any debris floating on top.
• Remove the cover, pool sweep, floating chlorine dispenser and pool toys.
• Straighten lounge chairs, put away cleaning tools, and set up the patio umbrella if you have one.

Kitchen

• Put small appliances, knife blocks and kitchen gadgets away and off counters.
• Remove photos, notes, papers and magnets from the refrigerator.
• Clean the front of major appliances: refrigerator, oven, stove top, range hood, and dishwasher.
• Wipe down the counter tops.
• Don't leave any dirty dishes in the sink or sponges, dish towels, dish soap or the like near the sink.
• Move trash cans out of sight.

Bathrooms

• Clean off counters from ALL personal effects.
• Remove personal care products and children's bath toys from the shower and tub.
• Pull back shower curtains so prospective buyers can see what the tub surround looks like.
• Make sure towels are folded neatly and are straight on the towel bars, or remove them completely.
• Close all toilet lids.
• Mirrors and shower doors should be clean. We want them to sparkle in the photos!

Living & Family Room

• Remove newspapers and magazines and put away books.
• Tuck the remote controls in a drawer to get them out of sight.
• Conceal exposed cables and cords as best that you can.
• Remove clutter, personal photos, the kid's toys, etc. from bookshelves, tables and the floor.
• Dust and vacuum. Dust can show in a photograph.
• Wash any glass surfaces including table tops, cabinet doors and windows.
• Straighten pillows and throws.

Bedrooms

• Make the beds neatly; straighten the bed spread and pillows.
• Tidy up, dust and vacuum.
• Pick up and put away clothes and shoes.
• Remove items from bedside tables (books, magazines, pictures, clock radios, etc.).
• Kid's rooms: put excess toys out of sight, take posters and drawings off the walls, and straighten up overall.