Getting a home ready for listing photos

The day before

• Take down family photos, mail and anything with your name on it
• Put away valuables, medications and paperwork
• Replace burnt-out bulbs, and keep one bulb color in each room
• Store anything you would rather buyers not see

Room by room

Kitchen

• Put away small appliances, dish racks, sponges and soap
• Take magnets, papers and photos off the fridge
• Close cabinet doors and the dishwasher
• Leave one simple thing out, like a bowl of fruit, or nothing at all

Living rooms and bedrooms

• Put away remotes, chargers, toys and stacks of mail
• Straighten cushions, fold throws and push in the dining chairs
• Make the beds, smooth and tight
• Clear nightstands down to a lamp
• Put away clothes, shoes and laundry baskets, and close closet doors

Bathrooms

• Clear the counters, tub edges and shower shelves
• Hang matching towels, or put them all away
• Put the toilet seat down
• Take out bath mats and the trash can

Outside

• Mow, edge and sweep the walk and porch
• Put away hoses, bins, toys and yard tools
• Close the garage door
• Set out patio furniture with the cushions on
• Take pool cleaners and hoses out of the water
• Put away grill covers and pet things

On the day

• Turn on every light and open the blinds
• Clear counters, fridge fronts and bathroom sinks
• Hide trash cans, pet bowls, toiletries and cords
• Make the beds and straighten the pillows
• Move cars out of the driveway and away from the front of the house
• Turn off ceiling fans and TVs
• Find pets a safe spot for the hour

Do you need to be home? No. A lockbox or door code is fine; note it on the booking form.

For a twilight shoot

• Every interior and exterior light on, including landscape and pool lights
• Pool and spa lights working, water features running
• Blinds open on the front windows
• Patio furniture set out, with the cushions on
• Cars, bins and hoses out of sight

For drone aerials

• Cars out of the driveway
• Pool covers off, yard and patio tidy
• Gates and boundaries pointed out, for land
• A heads-up to close neighbors
• Pets and kids inside during the flight

I check the airspace for the address before I confirm the flight.