1. It’s All About the Views!

Just before your photo appointment, switch off all lights and lamps. Make sure every light bulb works, and matches in color and intensity. Turn all ceiling fans off. If left on, they look like twirling helicopter blades in your photos.

Getting your home photo-ready is a big job that needs careful planning and execution. If you have domestic help, schedule the photographer early in the afternoon after they leave (and before the kids get home).

2. The Front Image is the first one viewed online

All cars should be out of the driveway, extra porch furniture, and outside items put away, including colorful garbage and recycling bins. A fresh coat of paint on the front door gives a great first impression. From the inside, raise all the blinds so the front photo has a welcoming look, rather than a ‘closed’ look. Schedule the photoshoot the day after the gardeners work their magic.

3. The Back: Your Lifestyle Shot

All windows, mirrors, and doors throughout the house should be sparkling clean. There should be no BBQ’s or patio furniture blocking the windows or sliding doors. Open your sunshade umbrellas if it’s not too windy. They’re so much more welcoming than when they are tightly secured closed! You are selling the lifestyle and lovely views of your property, so work to make it as enticing as possible.

4. The Living Room

To prep the living room, remove all clutter from the tables except for a well-placed book or vase of flowers. Get rid of the throws and ottomans. Ottomans gobble up floor space and make a room look tiny. Take down any family photos and expensive artwork. Your private space is going live on the internet.

5. The Dining Room

The dining room is the least used room, thus collecting the most clutter. For a more open and spacious appearance, remove the extra leaves from your table and relocate them, along with the additional chairs, to the garage. Center the table on the hanging light fixture for a balanced look, and consider adding a minimalist centerpiece for added elegance.

6. The Family Room

If you’re looking for the heart of the home, you’ll find it in the family room and kitchen area, where most of the living happens. Out to the garage go all but a few pillows, toys, toy furniture, and ottomans. Throw open the blinds on every window and slider, allowing the sunlight to stream into the room. Remove the throw rugs and reveal the floors beneath. Switch off the television and tuck the remotes out of sight. Pet beds go into the garage as well. Continue on with the same instructions from the living room.

7. The Kitchen

Thank goodness the kitchen is usually close to the garage! Take out the microwave, toaster oven, and any other appliances, pet bowls, and distracting decor. Highlight the counter space in your photos—it's a big selling point. You should put a small bowl of fresh fruit here. Lemons or apples can give your photos a pop of color! Don’t forget to put the knives in the garage too. For some reason, knives have a negative impact in photos. Bad exes, perhaps?

8. Bedrooms

Open all the blinds and heavy curtains in the master bedroom. Ensure that the bed is meticulously made, with no lumps, and that the bedspread is evenly draped along the sides. To achieve a spacious feel, consider removing the bench at the foot of the bed and the treadmill you bought for your spouse. Continue on with the same instructions from the living room and repeat in all bedrooms.

9. Bathrooms

Counter space is a valuable commodity in the master bath, as well as in all the other baths. Clear off all personal items, including jewelry. Remove bulky robes and towels from the backs of the doors to prevent them from being visible in the mirrors. Get rid of the tubbie toys and the bulky towels with monograms. Although most people keep the bathroom blinds closed, they need to be open to capture the natural light in the pictures. Put all toilet seats down.

10. The Foyer

Remove any unnecessary items, like rugs, dog leashes, shoe racks, or other distractions from the foyer or entrance area to keep it clear. Less is better.

It will take thirty to sixty minutes to photograph your home. Considering it’s costing your realtor a few hundred dollars; they will greatly appreciate it if your property is photo-ready.

And no, you don’t have to do this for every showing, just for your photo shoot!