Getting Your House Prepped for Real Estate Photography

Let’s face it.  You want to sell your house for as much as you can.  The best way to do this is to present it well to prospective buyers.  Buyers want to imagine themselves there.  It is hard for them to do that if they are looking at other people’s tooth brushes on the bathroom counters or garbage cans and cars in the driveway.

Here is a checklist of what you can do as a home owner or Seller’s Real Estate agent to put that house in the best light. Most of these are not fiction as we have had to either deal with it ourselves (thus charging additional fees), or leave them in the picture, and thus reducing it’s effectiveness.

Feel free to print this page out and make sure all the items are checked off.

In the days before the shoot

This modern house in Corvallis lended itself to a "one point perspective".
  • Thoroughly clean whole property
  • Create open spaces by removing not needed furniture and clear counter tops and shelves
  • Mow and edge grass in the front and back. Remove/trim overgrown trees and bushes.
  • Sweep up cuttings and leaves.
  • Remove empty planters and garden tools.
  • Remove visible garden hoses (unless neatly coiled on a holder)
  • Clean the pool/hottub area
  • Consider removing window screen on windows with great views. They can create photo artifacts.
  • Clean Windows on the inside and outside, especially windows with great views. This particularly applies to houses on the coast with salt spray.

The day of the Shoot

General Inside

  • Turn on all the lights, including lamps.
  • Turn OFF ceiling fans.
  • Turn OFF TVs.
  • Remove any personal photographs. This may be difficult if you have a wall full of prints, but it will show better.
  • Remove any small rugs to show the floor.
  • Place any jackets and shoes inside of closets.
  • Open all blinds and close all windows.
Real Estate Seller Photography Checklist

Outside

  • Move the cars from the driveway and away from the front of the property.
  • Close Garage Doors
  • Remove Rubbish Bins
  • Remove toys and sports equipment.
Have an amazing house on a hill top? What better way to show it than a perfectly framed drone shot.

Kitchen and Meal Areas

  • Straighten and Push in Chairs
  • Clear and Clean Countertops
  • Remove small appliances from countertop
  • Remove Fridge Magnets and photographs
  • Store drain racks and put away dishes
  • Hide soaps and cleaning rags
  • Remove visible rubbish bins
  • Add a centerpiece like flowers or candles to tables
  • Hide the tea towels
A modern take on kitchen cabinets taken in a one point perspective.

Living and Family Room

  • Remove magazines and papers
  • Remove any gym equipment
  • Clear clutter from shelves and tables
  • Hide all remotes
  • Hide loose home theater cables
Real Estate Seller Photography Checklist

Bathrooms

  • Clear countertops completely
  • Remove toothbrushes and shavers
  • Clean all mirrors and bench tops
  • Hang fresh towels
  • Remove all items from bathtubs and showers
  • Clean toilets and close lids
  • Remove floor mats
This is another "imagine yourself here" shot. Who wouldn't want to soak in a tub like this and enjoy the view?

Bedrooms

  • Remove any visible closes and clutter
  • Hide personal items and visible cables
  • Close all closets
  • Make beds and straighten pillows
  • Remove items from bed side table
  • Clean under bed, remove items which might show
  • If possible remove personal images and wall stickers
This master bedroom has an incredible view of Waldport, Oregon. We used the advanced photography technique to pull the view through the windows.

“Performing these steps can get you a higher asking price, putting more money in your pocket. ”

Scott Kemp – Owner

After real estate listing dinning room is edited by professional in Corvallis Oregon

Better Listings, Photo by Photo

We provide images that are proven to increase the quality of your real estate brand. 

We provide stunning photography, video, and 3D tours to real estate agents in Corvallis, Eugene, Salem, Albany, the Coast, and throughout Oregon. When deciding which service provider you want to work with, consider our experienced photographers who understand that extraordinary quality is the backbone of an excellent listing. 

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