The camera sees everything the eye edits out — the hose on the lawn, the magnets on the fridge, the cord running across the floor. None of it takes long to fix. All of it shows up in the photos.
Everywhere in the house
- Turn on every light, including lamps and under-cabinet lighting.
- Replace any bulb that's burned out, and match colour temperature where you can.
- Open blinds and curtains fully, and set the slats level.
- Turn ceiling fans off — moving blades blur.
- Put pet bowls, beds, crates and litter boxes out of sight.
- Clear the floors of cords, chargers, shoes, toys and laundry baskets.
Kitchen and bathrooms
- Clear the counters — appliances, dish racks, soap, sponges, paper towels.
- Take everything off the front of the refrigerator.
- Hide trash cans, including the one under the sink if it's visible.
- Fresh towels hung straight. Remove the used ones.
- Toothbrushes, razors and toiletries into a drawer.
- Toilet seats and lids down. Every time. This is the one people forget.
Living areas and bedrooms
- Beds made, pillows straightened, bedding pulled square.
- Remotes, mail, phone chargers and magazines out of the frame.
- Family photos are fine to leave, but thin out anything crowded.
- Push furniture back to open up walking space.
Outside
- Move every vehicle off the driveway and away from the front of the house.
- Coil and hide hoses.
- Move trash and recycling bins out of sight.
- Put away toys, tools, garden equipment and pet items.
- Mow, edge and sweep the walks and driveway.
- Do not wet down the driveway or patio — wet concrete photographs blotchy.
- Take down seasonal decorations unless we're shooting for that season.
- Clear the deck or patio, and put cushions out if you have them.
If we're shooting twilight
- Every interior light on, upstairs and down.
- Landscape and path lighting on, and any string lights.
- Porch and garage lights on.
- Vehicles gone, garage doors closed.
- Blinds open so the windows read warm from outside.
One last thing
You don't need to be there. Plenty of sellers prep the home and head out, and honestly that's the most efficient version — I can work through the house without interruption and I'm usually done in an hour or two.
If you'd rather stay, that's completely fine too. Just try to have the prep finished before I arrive rather than moving things room to room while I shoot.