Photo day checklist
Do most of this the day before. The camera sees everything, including the cereal box you forgot about.
Inside the house
Clear the counters. Kitchen and baths keep 2 or 3 nice items, max. Toasters, sponges and soap bottles go under the sink.Take down personal photos , fridge magnets, kids' art and anything with your name on it.Hide the everyday stuff: trash cans, pet bowls, litter boxes, toys, shoes, cords and remotes.Make every bed with light, wrinkle-free bedding. Fluff the pillows like a hotel.Bathrooms: toilet lids down, one set of matching towels folded, shower curtain pulled straight, no razors or shampoo bottles in sight.Replace burned-out bulbs and match the colors so one room isn't half yellow, half blue.Clean windows, mirrors and glass doors. Smudges show up in photos more than you'd think.Thin out closets and garages by a third. Buyers peek, and full closets read as "not enough storage."
Outside and on photo day
Cars out of the driveway and off the street in front of the house.Trash and recycle bins moved to the side yard or garage.Yard tidy: mow or rake rock, pull weeds, sweep the walk and front porch, blow off the patio.Pool sparkling , cover off, hoses and cleaner put away. A blue pool is free marketing in Vegas.Patio furniture set up and cushions out, like you're about to host.Open every blind and turn on every light , including lamps and the stove light.Ceiling fans and TVs off , so they don't blur or glare in photos.Pets and people out during the shoot. Fido is cute, but he's not in the listing.
Before every showing
The 15-minute version. When I text you a showing time, run this list and head out.
Quick reset
Lights on, blinds open in every room, even in the middle of the day.Thermostat comfortable. Nobody falls in love with a house while sweating.Dishes away , sink empty, counters wiped.Beds made , laundry put away, bathroom towels straightened.Trash out and skip the fish and curry the night before. Smells stick.Quick pass on the yard: pet cleanup, toys picked up, gate unlocked.
Safety and heading out
Lock up valuables : jewelry, cash, prescriptions, mail, spare keys and anything with personal info.Pets out of the house , or crated with a note on the door.Leave a note for quirks : the sticky slider, the gate code, which light switch runs the fan.Interior doors open so rooms feel bigger and buyers walk through.Leave 15 minutes early and stay gone. Buyers talk more freely (and fall in love faster) when you're not there.Doorbell cams: it's fine to have them, but don't chat with buyers through them. I'll get you the feedback.
