You’ve worked hard to stage and prepare your home to list it! Here are some suggestions for picture-perfect staging preparations to make on the day of photography:
- Put toilet seat lids down
- Turn on all lights (ceiling, lamp, cabinet, etc.)
- Turn off ceiling fans
- Open all window curtains and blinds
- Clear all counters (temporarily stash small appliances, soap bottles, etc.)
- Hide vehicles (parked in the garage or down the street)
- Hide large trash cans and bins in the garage or behind the house
- Make the beds, fluff the sofa pillows, fold the blankets, etc.
- Clear any debris from the driveway, porch or deck
- Quickly vacuum any medium or high-pile carpet
- Uncover outdoor furniture, barbeque grills, wood piles, etc. (no visible tarps/covers)
- Remove tablecloths and dish towels
Temporarily hide or stash all clutter in closets, cabinets, or the garage:
- Trash cans, hoses, watering cans, etc.
- Pet/kid gear and toys, video games, etc.
- Cleaning supplies (toilet scrubber, plunger, dish detergent bottles, etc.)
- Toiletries, medicine, etc.
- Floor mats/runners and bath mats (select rugs/runners ok if decorative).
- Electrical cords and cables, remote controls, heaters and fans, etc.
- Drying racks, scrubbers, fridge magnets, utensils or small countertop gadgets, etc.
- Laundry hampers, shoes, coats, umbrellas, purses, etc.
Give yourself about 2 hours to complete all these final touches before the photographer arrives. Take a walk around the house and property to ensure everything looks neat and clean. After photography, you can bring some of these everyday items back out for normal use.