Before the shoot
Home Prep Checklist
Getting your home photo and video ready, room by room
Our best advice: plan to be away during the shoot. Our video uses long sweeping shots that move from room to room, and 3D tours capture a full 360 degrees, so there is truly nowhere to step out of frame. An empty home gives us the fastest, smoothest shoot and the best result for your sale.
Editing has limits. We can take out a stray cord or a scuff on a wall. We cannot take out a parked car, a cluttered counter, or a lawn that needs mowing. What the camera sees is what buyers see.
Shoot day: the big ones (Morning of)
- All cars out of the driveway and away from the front of the home, boats and trailers too
- Trash cans in the garage or fully out of sight
- Hoses and sprinklers put away, along with any garden equipment
- Pool cleaner and poles out of the water and stored out of sight
- Let the light in. Tilt blind slats open so light comes through, no need to raise them, and turn on every light
- Ceiling fans and TVs off
- Pets secured or off site, with beds, crates and litter boxes out of sight
- Optional staging touches: set the table, place wine glasses on the patio table
General areas (Week before)
- Declutter as much as possible, store extra furniture and items in the garage
- Replace burnt out bulbs so all lights match
- Remove personal items such as family photos
- Tidy up and hide power cords and cables
- Remove piles of mail, newspapers and magazines
- Clean all windows inside and out
Kitchen and dining (Day before)
- Clean and put away all dishes
- Clear small appliances off the countertops
- Wipe down backsplash, range hood and appliances, especially stainless steel
- Remove detergents, dish racks, towels and sponges
- Clear everything off the fridge, including magnets and photos
- Remove trash cans and pet bowls
- Keep countertops nearly bare, a little goes a long way
Bathrooms (Day before)
- Remove soaps, shampoos, bathmats, scales and trash cans
- Put away toothbrushes, razors and hair dryers
- Make mirrors and glass spotless
- Hang fresh matching towels only
- Remove toilet brushes and plungers
- Close all toilet lids
Living areas (Day before)
- Turn off the TV and put remotes away
- Remove toys, fans and game consoles
- Move exercise equipment out of sight
- Arrange books and shelves neatly
- Clean ceiling fans and turn them off
Bedrooms (Day before)
- Make all beds, solid color bedding photographs better than patterns
- Declutter toys, books and tissue boxes
- Remove personal items and wall posters
- Check that bedside lamps work
- Put clothes away and out of sight
Outside (Week before)
- Mow, edge and rake the lawn
- Sweep up leaves, sticks and debris
- Sweep or pressure wash the driveway and patios
- Weed beds and trim hedges
- Remove toys, bikes and equipment from the yard
Pool and spa (Day before)
- Make sure the pool is clean
- Remove pool toys and floats