Preparing a Home . . .
It's important for the potential buyers to be able to focus on the key features of your home. Online images make an important first impression, the following will help with showing your home at its best:
- Remove all vehicles from driveways and try not to park directly in front of the house
- Schedule any repairs, inspections, or other individuals who need to access the property to be on a different day than the photo shoot.
- Open window coverings to let in the natural light and neighborhood views (vertical and Venetian blinds turned to open position).
- Clean windows.
- Remove any items which may be taped or otherwise fastened to the refrigerator.
- Remove everything from sinks.
- Remove all you can from countertops (bread, dishes, toothpaste, combs, soap, food, toiletries, hand towels, ...). An artsy cookie jar or a bouquet of flowers would look nice in the kitchen.
- Make all beds and tidy up bedrooms. Hide all clothes. Hang them up nicely in closets. Or just stuff them under your bed.
- Hide all toys, or keep them in the kids' closets.
- Remove pet bowls, toys and litter boxes from rooms that will be photographed.
- Put away newspapers and magazines.
- Make sure all light bulbs work. Clean light bulbs of dust.
- Roll up or hide garden hoses and hide all garden tools.
- Put trash into outside trash bins. Hide all trash containers.
- Get the lawn mowed and edged, the weeds pulled, and leaves picked up.
- Make sure the pool and pool area are sparkling clean. If you have temporary child fencing, take that down for the photo shoot. Turn on the pumps for the water falls/spillways.
- Help the photographer by keeping pets and people out of the way.
- And most importantly: De-clutter wherever you look.