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.

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 your house.

Inside closets/cupboards and small toilet areas and garages are generally not photographed unless it is a finished workshop, or has an interesting feature, so these spaces can be used to store items you do not want to be seen.

If you are unsure if an item will show up in the pictures, it probably will and it’s best to hide it. Family photos on walls and shelves do not need to be moved, and can be blurred out during the editing process.

It will usually take approximately 60 minutes to photograph an average 3-bedroom house and property, plus 30 minutes for the floor plan. Longer for larger homes.

Here are some tips for preparing each part of your home and property:

Kitchen
Clear fridge/freezer doors and tops, of ALL notes, magnets and items.
Place kitchen items and electrical appliances in cupboards (water dispensers, toasters, blenders, kettle etc).
Clear bench tops.
Hide highchairs.
Polish stainless steel dishwashers, ovens and fridges.
Clean splashbacks and range hoods.

Bedrooms
Tuck in sheets.
Remove charging cables, extension cords and power boards.
Remove personal care items, make-up, photos and clothing and shoes.
Clear bedside tables (except lamps).
Pack away toys into wardrobe.
Beds to have no more than three pillows (single bed) or five 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 dressing gowns and over-the-door hangers.
Remove floor and shower mats.
Ensure toilet roll is full and neat.

Living and family rooms
Remove items such as magazines, phones, charges, tissue boxes.
Clear tops and underneath cupboards and coffee tables (except lamps).
Keep items on shelves/mantels to 2-3 items.
Remove toys.
Hide tv and electronic cables, remotes and controllers.

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

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

Exterior
Close garage doors.
Remove cars from driveway.
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.
Unlock sheds.

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.
Replace old/blown/missing light bulbs.
Close windows.
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