How To Prepare Your Property For Photography

Making a great first impression will start with photos that accompany your online Real Estate listing. Potential buyers have limited time to search and they have many listings to review. Your photos need to reflect your home and property at it’s best.

• When I arrive, I will get you to show me around in case I have any questions, then I’ll do the floor plan including each room and outdoor space and sheds, then photos starting from the front of the house, through the house interior, then the backyard. If drone photos are booked, they will be done after the ground photos. Please stay inside while the drone photos are being done. The files are sent to the real estate agent/office within 48 hours (weekdays). 
• Your home should be clean and decluttered before the photographer arrives, and as much of a neutral space as possible so that potential buyers could see themselves living in the house.
• Inside closets/cupboards and toilets are generally not photographed. Family photos on walls and shelves do not need to be moved, and can be blurred out during the editing process.
• If you are unsure if an item will show up in the pictures, it probably will and it’s best to hide it.
• It will take approximately 60 minutes to photograph an average 3-bedroom property and to do the floor plan, plus 20-30 minutes for drone photos. Longer for larger properties.

Please use these tips below as a guide for preparing each part of your home and property. We understand that it’s not always possible to do everything on the list, but we ask that you do as much as you can with the time that you have. If you have any questions please feel free to ring me (0410 431 013) or send me an email.

Kitchen
Clear fridge/freezer doors and tops, of ALL notes, magnets and items.
Clear bench tops as much as possible.
Polish stainless steel dishwashers, ovens and fridges.
Clean splashbacks and range hoods.

Bedrooms
Make the bed and tuck in the sheets.
Remove charging cables, extension cords and power boards.
Remove personal care items, make-up, photos, clothing and shoes.
Clear bedside tables (except lamps).
Pack away toys into wardrobe.
Beds to have no more than two pillows (single bed) or four pillows (double bed).

Bathroom
Close toilet lid.
Clear countertops of all personal items.
Replace towels with clean, folded towels, ensuring the labels are hidden.
Clean and polish mirrors and shower glass.
Clear shower of all items.
Remove items from over-the-door hangers.
Ensure toilet roll is full and neat.

Living and family rooms
Clear tables and coffee tables (except lamps).
Remove items from underneath cupboards.
Keep items on shelves/mantels to 2-3 items.
Remove toys.
Hide tv and electronic cables as best as possible.

Office
Remove clutter and note papers.
Hide and tidy cables as best as possible.
Turn off monitors.
Place laptops and tablets away in a cupboard.

Laundry
Remove laundry baskets.
Remove clothes including ones in washing machine and dryer if they have clear doors.
Hide bins.

Exterior
Close garage doors.
Remove cars from driveway and front of property.
Wind up hoses and put away.
Put away bikes and toys.
Remove pet’s toys and food/water bowls.
Remove empty and dead plants in pots.
Mow lawns.
Remove weeds, and dead plants.
Pool cleaned and pool toys put away.
Sweep driveway and walkways.
Open outdoor blinds and shutters.
Take pegs off washing lines.
Hide rubbish bins.

Other general tips
Please open all blockout curtains (not sheer curtains), roller blinds, and outdoor roller shutters, and close windows.
Unlock sheds.
Remove anything with family’s names on it (eg. on children’s bedroom walls).
Vacuum floors.
Mop floors.
Wash windows, inside and outside, and screens.
Get rid of cobwebs.
Turn fans OFF.
Dust all horizontal surfaces.
Ensure that all light globes (internal and external) are in working order – including the rangehood.
Hide rubbish bins.
Small decorative pillows are suitable for couches and chairs but bulkier items should be put away.
Books on bookshelves should be upright and tidy.
Hide items of value, such as jewellery, wine, ipads/tablets etc.
Turn on ceiling lights.
Move cars away from the front of the property.

Pets
Potential buyers may not like pets or may be allergic to them so it’s best to clean furniture of pet hair.
Hide away all pet items including:
Travel crates
Scratching posts
Litter box
Pet toys
Food and water bowls
Pet beds
Pet leads
Other pet related items.
Tie up pets, or leave with friend/neighbour