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 OFF
• Turn all TVs OFF
• Turn all computer screens OFF
• Open all curtains and blinds
• Make all beds
• Place all shoes/jackets in closets

 

Front Exterior

• Close garage doors
• Remove cars from driveway and front of home
• 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.
• Move trash cans into garage

 

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 

 

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)