Welcome to Your Home Photography Preparation Guide!
I am thrilled to help you showcase your home in the best possible light! Whether you're preparing to sell, putting your property up for rent, or offering it as a vacation rental, this guide will provide you with all the tips and tricks to make your home shine in every photograph.
Imagine your home looking as inviting, stylish, and pristine as possible. By following these simple steps, you'll ensure that every corner of your home is picture-perfect. This is your chance to highlight its unique features and create images that captivate potential buyers, renters, or vacationers.
Get ready to transform your home into a stunning visual masterpiece! Together, we'll put your best foot forward and capture the true essence and charm of your space.
Let's get started on this exciting journey to perfect home photography!
👨📸 Makeen Osman
📞💬 (763) 269-9022
📧 Makeen@MakeenOsman.com
Homeowners Selling Their Home
Great photos can make a huge difference in attracting potential buyers. A well-prepped home can stand out in listings, leading to more interest and quicker sales. I’ll guide you on how to declutter, stage, and enhance the best aspects of your home to make it irresistible.
Property Owners Putting Their Home Up for Rent
Whether its a date, job interview or meeting new clients, first impressions matter! High-quality photos can significantly increase your rental prospects. I'll show you how to make your rental property look cozy, clean, and welcoming, ensuring that potential renters can easily envision themselves living in your space.
Vacation Rental Hosts
Your home should evoke a sense of adventure and relaxation. Beautiful photos can entice guests to choose your property for their next getaway. I’ll help you capture the essence of a perfect vacation spot, highlighting everything from comfy beds to scenic views, making your listing stand out in a crowded market.
Interiors
Your home doesn't have to be spotless, but make sure the countertops are clean and the carpet is vacuumed. Declutter as much as possible. Too much stuff creates chaos and makes your home feel small.
Clear and Clean Kitchen Counters
Remove all photos and magnets from the refrigerator. Make sure that there aren’t dirty dishes or food visible. Add a bowl of fruit, flowers or simple centerpiece to the table or counter. A few countertop appliances are ok, but keep it minimal. Remove children’s high chairs and booster seats.
Clean and Clear Bathroom sinks, tubs and showers
Clean mirrors and countertops. Remove wet towels, toothbrushes, bathrobes, kleenex boxes, wastebaskets, non decorative soap dispensers and toilet brushes. Put the toilet seat down. Remove rugs to show off the floor.
replace burned out lights
For those who are technically inclined, having lights that are the same color temperature looks best! Ideally daylight balanced bulbs.
turn on all the lights in the the entire home
I prefer to turn on every light, so make sure that they are all working. Please try to have the lights (and lamps) on prior to our arrival. Windows and curtains should be open. TVs and ceiling fans should be off.
Food Odor and other smells
Start by deep cleaning your kitchen—scrub appliances, degrease surfaces, and empty the trash regularly. Ventilation is key, so open windows, use exhaust fans, and consider air purifiers with activated charcoal filters to absorb odors. Natural deodorizers like bowls of baking soda, simmering vinegar, or lemon slices can work wonders. Professional carpet and upholstery cleaning, as well as duct cleaning, can also help. Maintain a fresh environment by cleaning regularly and avoiding cooking strong-smelling foods before showings. A clean, odor-free home can make a lasting impression and help seal the deal!
Using natural and subtle scents can create a welcoming atmosphere. Consider placing fresh flowers or potpourri in key areas. Lightly scented candles or essential oil diffusers can also add a pleasant fragrance without being overpowering. However, be cautious not to overdo it, as strong artificial scents can be off-putting. The goal is to create a clean, inviting environment where potential buyers can imagine themselves living comfortably.
open all window treatment
Fully open curtains and blinds. If they are damaged or broken its best to remove them.
remove unnecessary furniture & decor
Conceal as many electrical cords as possible. Put toys away. Hide remotes, newspapers and any other items that are cluttering the space.
remove floor mats & runners
Show off your beautiful flooring!
turn off all ceiling fans, tv's and computers
Fans that are on dont look great in images and any private content you may have on a tv or computer is best when its off. It will also allow me to replace the screen with a better image if need be.
PUT ALL SHOES AND JACKETS IN CLOSETS
Closets are a great place to hide your shoes and jackets as I normally do not photograph them unless its a specialized walk-in closet. In that case, please have it organizes or let me know if you don't want your personal effects in the closets being photographed.
make all the beds
Make the bed, pick up clothes and shut dresser drawers. Organize toys and clear/organize nightstands.
remove all personal photos & items
Your images will be posted online for your home, please keep that in mind. I always recommend hiding family or children's photos, jewelry, valuables, etc.
laundry room
Hide laundry inside the machines and organize any shelves. If you don’t feel it’s photographable, use it to hide items from other rooms.
remove all pet items
I know, your pet is adorable, but they really shouldn't be in the photos. If your dog likes to say "hello" when people come over, please keep them somewhere they won't be able to jump on the photographer and their equipment. Hide food dishes, cat trees, pet beds and litter.
Basement
Hide bug spray, mouse/rodent traps and clear any cobwebs. Please hide/move to the side your portable dehumidifier if possible.
If you have games like pool, take the cover off and rack the billiard balls as if you're ready to play.
Exteriors
tidy up the yard and landscaping
Clean and rake any leaves, move any fallen limbs or branches. Clean the swimming pool of any fallen debris.
sweep porches/decks
Blow off all leaves and clear any snow. Organize any furniture. Clear sidewalks and walkways..
clear all cars from road & driveway
Remove cars, boats, trailers, etc from the driveway. If they can’t fit in the garage, park them on the street and not directly in front of your home. Close the garage door.
hide all garbage cans, kids toys & lawn equipment
Hide items in shed or garage.
remove BBQ cover
If your grill is presentable, remove it’s cover. Make sure to clean the outside.
Arrange fire pit & open patio umbreallas
If you have an umbrella, open it. Arrange chairs neatly around the table, fire pit or pool. Dont worry about starting up the fire pit, I can take care of it digitally and safetly.
WINTER
I can typically still get a yard photo but might not be able to get a shot of the back of the house if the snow gets too high. If you have a fence, make sure the gate isn't frozen shut and if the snow is difficult to walk through, please plow a path into your back yard so I can get a shot of the back of your home.
GARAGES, STORAGE ROOMS, CLOSETS, UTILITY ROOMS
I don’t usually photograph these so use them as a hiding space for the stuff you removed from other areas of your home. If you would like them photographed, please let me know!
This SEEM'S LIKE A LOT OF WORK! YES, IT IS, BUT IT IS WORTH IT!
Here are some key points and data that demonstrate the benefits of a properly set up, staged, clean, and inviting home for selling, renting, and vacation hosting
Selling your Home
Increased Sale Price:
- A study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that 83% of buyer’s agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. Moreover, about 22% of seller’s agents reported an increase of 1-5% in the offer price compared to similar homes not staged.
- According to the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), staged homes sell 73% faster than their non-staged counterparts.
Quicker Sales:
- The same NAR study found that homes that were staged sold 87% faster than those that were not staged. This means less time on the market and potentially fewer price reductions.
SETTING UP A RENTAL
Higher Rental Prices:
- A report by RentPath revealed that properties with high-quality photos and staging can command higher rental prices. Well-presented properties often attract more interest and can justify a higher rental rate.
Increased Interest and Faster Leasing:
- Properties with professional photos get 118% more online views, according to a study by Redfin. This higher visibility can lead to more inquiries and quicker leasing.
Vacation Rentals / Airbnb / vrbo
Higher Occupancy Rates:
- According to Airbnb, listings with professional photos are booked 40% more often than those without. High-quality photos and a well-presented home can significantly boost occupancy rates.
Positive Reviews and Repeat Bookings:
- Guests are more likely to leave positive reviews and return for future stays if they have a pleasant experience. A clean, inviting, and well-staged home can enhance their overall experience, leading to better reviews and increased bookings.
A visual representation of the benefits of a properly prepared home for photos:
- Increased Sale Price: Up to 5%
- Quicker Sales: Homes sell 73% faster
- Higher Rental Prices: Up to 10% higher
- Increased Interest: 118% more online views
- Higher Occupancy Rates: Booked 40% more often
- Positive Reviews: More likely to receive better reviews
This chart illustrates the significant advantages of staging, cleaning, and setting up your home for professional photos.
A heartfelt thanks to Riaz Shad, a seasoned real estate professional with over 15 years of experience, for meticulously reviewing and endorsing this guide on preparing homes for real estate photography. Thank you again Riaz!
📞 763-245-8353
🏢 Bridge Realty LLC
1101 E 78th St Ste 300
Bloomington, MN, 55420
I want to thank Abbas Pyarli for meticulously reviewing and endorsing this guide. With over 25 years of experience, he is an exceptional agent. Abbas highlighted the importance of a home smelling clean and free of unwanted odors, like food smells, to appeal to potential buyers. I have incorporated his valuable tips above. Thank you, Abbas, for your insightful advice!
📞 763-245-9856
🏢 Realty Group LLC
7830 Main St #205
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Contact Me
Looking to have your home or listing professionally photographed? Reach out or call me directly at 763.269.9022.
Thank you!
Makeen Osman