A Quick Guide: Preparing Your Home for Professional Real Estate Photos

When listing your home for sale or rent, first impressions matter, and professional real estate photos are often the first thing potential buyers or tenants see.

To make sure your home shines in these photos, here’s how to prepare it effectively:

1. Declutter and Depersonalize: Start by removing any unnecessary items. This will make your home feel more spacious. Your most likely moving from the home in the near future so packing up unnecessary personal items is just giving you a good head start for moving day.

• Clear countertops, shelves, and floors of clutter.

• Remove family photos, personal collections, and unique decor.

• Store the packed boxes in a closet or garage, out of view.

  

  Organize and Declutter

2. Deep Clean: A spotless home looks more attractive. Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms, as these are areas that can make or break a listing.

• Dust and clean as much as you are able.

• Take out the trash in all of the rooms.

• Mop the floors if you have tile or laminate.

• Vacuum all rugs and carpets.

3. Maximize Natural Light: Natural lighting is the best option for professional real estate photos.

• Open blinds and curtains to let in as much natural light as possible.

• Strategically place lamps and other light sources to brighten darker areas.

• Make sure the color temperature of your light bulbs in all ceiling fans, lamps, recessed lighting, etc are all the same color temperature.

  
  

*We personally like the "Daylight" color temperature in our home for a clean, bright atmosphere. "Soft White" has a yellowish tint and can make a home appear darker and smaller.

4. Stage Your Home: Staging helps present your home in the best possible light.

• Rearrange furniture to create open, easy-to-navigate spaces.

• Use neutral, inviting decor that appeals to a broad audience.

• For empty rooms, consider renting or borrowing key pieces to show how the space can be used.

  
  

Sometimes, just changing a few items around the home can make a difference. There is usually no need to spend a lot of money on staging. Each room can easily have a color theme to help with decorating. If your kitchen has a lot of blue shades, search your home for blue items and put them in the kitchen. If your living room has a lot of grays and tans, do the same. Every room can have a distinct color palette that helps with decor and style. Some of us are not lucky enough to be talented in the home decor department. But this little tip can make you seem like a professional interior decorator!

Less is more. The less clutter, the better. Always.

5. Tidy Up Outdoor Spaces: Curb appeal counts. Make sure the exterior of your home is just as photo-ready as the inside.

• Mow the lawn, trim bushes, and sweep driveways or patios.

• Adding a few potted plants or flowers can also create a welcoming entryway.

  

  Add some potted plants or flowers in the entryway and outdoor patios.

• Make sure all clutter in your yard is removed and tidied up.

• Outdoor trash cans and recycling bins should be moved to the backyard, side of the home, or the garage so they are out of sight.

• Move all vehicles out of the driveway so the professional photographer can have a clear view of the home. Your personal license plate number is a big no-no in the photos.

  
  

6. Check Details: Small details can make a big difference.

• Ensure all light bulbs are working.

• All mirrors are spotless.

• All beds are made.

• Hide any visible cables or wires, as they can distract from the beauty of the room.

Make the Beds

7. Coordinate with Your Photographer: Lastly, communicate with your photographer to ensure they know which features to highlight. Share any special selling points, like unique architectural details or a newly remodeled kitchen, so they can capture your home’s best aspects.

The Maples Group- Realtors® of the Treasure Coast

With these steps, you’ll ensure your home looks its best in photos, helping it stand out and attract more interest. Real Estate photographs are the key to getting your home sold or rented. If your home looks cluttered, unclean, or in need of repairs in the pictures it will be difficult to get prospective buyers or tenants to come view it in person. Professional real estate photos are a must and integral in marketing the home.