PREPARING YOUR LISTING

Interior view of a modern house with open floor plan, showing a dining area with a wooden table and six chairs, a living room with a couch, and a kitchen with white cabinets, a kitchen island with four chairs, and stainless steel appliances. Bright natural light filters through multiple windows.

Download our printable version of this getting ready page equipped with a checklist to ensure your home is ready on the day of your appointment. 

"DOWNLOAD LISTING PREP GUIDE"
Open-concept living room and kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel refrigerator, ceiling fan, large television above fireplace, beige recliner chairs, gray sofa, wooden flooring, and large windows letting in natural light.

AGENT & HOMEOWNER QUICK TIPS

For the best quality media, I must be able to move freely from one room to the next. Therefore, it is important that your home is 100% “show ready” for your LISTING SHOOT APPOINTMENT.

  • Thoroughly clean whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean countertops, clean windows). Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON

  • Replace all burned out light bulbs

  • Use bulbs of the same temperature (ALL incandescent or ALL compact fluorescent and ALL the same bulb color)

  • Turn all ceiling fans OFF

  • Turn all TVs OFF

  • Turn all computer screens OFF

  • Open blinds/window treatments to let in outside light

  • Make all beds

  • Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring

  • Place all shoes/jackets in closets

INTERIOR SPACE

  • Modern kitchen with gray and white cabinetry, a large island with a sink, pendant lighting, stainless steel appliances, and light wood flooring.

    KITCHEN

    OFTEN THE MAIN FOCAL POINT OF POTENTIAL BUYERS

    Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.

    Leave out max of one small appliance (ex. coffee maker)

    Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.

    Remove hand towels and small rugs

    Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet

    Remove dishes from sink; place in dishwasher

  • Modern dining room with large windows, black table, six black chairs with woven seats, and minimal decor, overlooking a wooded outdoor area.

    DINING ROOM

    ALLOW BUYERS TO IMAGINE A NICE FAMILY MEAL

    Clear table; dust and polish the table top

    Use decorative place setting if available

    Feature one center piece such as a bouquet of flowers

    Straighten all chairs and space them evenly

    Remove child seats/booster chairs

  • Bright living room with white walls, large window with cream curtains, white sofa with decorative pillows, black coffee table with flowers and books, two black armchairs with pillows, side tables with lamps, two tan ottomans, and framed artwork on the wall.

    LIVING OR FAMILY ROOM

    THE SPACE TO RELAX & SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY

    Arrange/rearrange furniture to give room maximum space

    Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.

    De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth

    Fluff and arrange furniture pillows

    Remove kid’s toys

    Pet items/toys put away

  • Modern bedroom with a bed, bedside tables with lamps, wall art, a chandelier, a bench, a rug, curtains, and hardwood flooring.

    BEDROOMS

    REST FOR YOU AND GUESTS

    Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available

    Press bed linens and bed skirts

    Clear nightstands of all personal items

    Store away phone/tablet charging cables

    Remove all clutter from top of dressers

    Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

  • Modern bathroom with a bathtub, large window with blinds, a wall-mounted toilet, a sink with a wooden accent, a large mirror, and a wooden slat wall panel. Indoor plant and patterned rug included.

    BATHROOMS

    BATHROOMS MUST BE CLEAR OF ALL PERSONAL ITEMS

    Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.

    Put toilet seats down

    Close closet doors

    Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs

    Remove dirty towels – leave out only new, unused towels

    Remove floor mats

  • Two chocolate Labrador retrievers in a living room with wooden flooring, a white brick fireplace, a floral sofa, and a white coffee table.

    PETS

    PETS PRESENCE SHOULD BE MINIMIZED

    Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet

    Place pet beds/toys in pantry or closet

    Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair

    Contain pets in hidden crate (move to garage or unfinished space in basement)

    Clear back yard of pet waste

EXTERIOR SPACE

  • FRONT - CURB APPEAL

    THE FRONT EXTERIOR IS USUALLY THE FIRST PHOTO BUYERS SEE

    Front door/Garage door closed

    Remove cars from driveway and front of home

    Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)

    Remove empty planters

    Sweep off debris on walkway/driveway/porch

    Remove visible water hoses

    Remove trash cans

  • Aerial view of a coastal neighborhood with houses, a backyard with a fire pit and seating, a swimming pool, and lush greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

    BACK - CURB APPEAL

    THE BACK YARD SHOULD BE AN OASIS TO RELAX

    Mow yard and pull weeds

    Clean porch of leaves and debris

    Tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions

    Put away kid’s toys, balls, frisbees, etc.

    Remove visible water hoses

    Clean pool

    Turn on water features