Home Prep Guide
For best results, please read through this guide and prepare the property in advance.
Keep in mind that preparing the property often takes longer than expected. Make sure that all work by staging, house cleaners, carpet cleaners, and contractors is complete prior to your appointment time, as we cannot complete the appointment while cleaning or work is still in progress. Unless pre-arranged, if we have to reschedule due to ongoing work, an additional trip fee or rescheduling fees will be charged.
Because of liability limitations, we will essentially be shooting the property as-is on the day of the appointment.
Lights and Blinds:
Turn on all lights – overhead fixtures, ALL lamps, under-cabinet lights, etc.
All ceiling fans throughout the entire home should be turned off and clean.
Replace burned out light bulbs and replace bulbs with mismatched color temperature.
Open all blinds, shades and shutters and leave them in a level position for best views. Pull blinds fully up if they are damaged or broken.
Kitchen:
Remove all refrigerator magnets.
Ensure sink is clear of dishes and clean.
Thoroughly clean stainless steel appliances.
Clear all countertops, with the exception of desired decorative staging items.
Clean and dust cabinets, paying attention to fingerprints and liquid stains on lower cabinets.
Consider removing paper towel rolls and trash cans.
Bathrooms:
Put down toilet seats.
Clear and clean the countertops.
Leave only coordinating decorative towels and rugs.
Ensure shower doors and mirrors are clean and free of spots.
Put away all personal items and toiletries on the counters and in the shower or by the toilet.
Close shower curtains unless the shower should be photographed with the curtains open.
Interior:
Vacuum and sweep all floors.
Remove family photographs if possible.
Make beds and neatly arrange decorative pillows.
Clean mirrors and if possible clean windows.
Clear tabletops and nightstands. Personal items should be completely removed from view. Hide them in closets, cabinets, garages, not a hallway or room that might be photographed. Keep in mind that storage containers under a bed or beside a refrigerator will often still be visible in photos.
All televisions, computer screens, and projectors should be turned off.
Remove all pets, pet feeding bowls, pet toys, and pet cages or crates!
Exterior:
Realtor signs cannot be present during photography appointments.
Remove cars from the driveway and park them a couple of doors down.
Put away all garbage cans, garden tools, water hoses, and sprinkler attachments.
Make sure the lawn is manicured and clear of leaves and debris. Remove items outside that distract from the view, or items that clutter the yard and exterior.
Pools and hot tubs should be uncovered and clean. Remove hoses or pool cleaners in advance to prevent water spots on decks. All operational pool water features should be running.
Twilight Appointments:
Please ensure that all exterior lighting is operational and on. If exterior lighting is photocell activated, you may consider covering the eye so that they are on prior to dark.
Ensure that the pool lights work and are on. If the lights are color, blue is usually the best option. Ensure that all operational water features and waterfalls are running. Do not turn on hot tub blowers but do turn on hot tub jets.
If someone is available to monitor any firepits or fire “features”, they can be on and included in twilight photos.
During the Photoshoot:
A typical photo shoot runs between 20 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the house and what services are ordered.
We will frequently have more than one appointment scheduled in a day, with limited time to spend on each property. Having the property ready helps us to concentrate on giving you the best service and final product.
With more than one or two people present, it’s difficult to keep everyone out of the photos. We only use premium ultra-wide angle lenses, which will see you even at extreme angles on either side of the camera. Reflections and people outside the windows can be an issue. In our experience, moving a group of people from room to room during a shoot is just not a workable solution. Extra time on the shoot can result in extra fees. We respectfully ask that several people or even a few people or pets not be present. Consider putting pets in the garage for the duration of the shoot.
If you are unable to be present, please have someone from your team double check that the property is prepared for photography. All clients need to accept that the property will be shot as is.