Ultimate Guide to Tidying Up Before a Real Estate Photo Or Video

When it comes to selling, first impressions are crucial. In today’s digital age, potential buyers often browse through online listings and view photographs and videos before deciding which properties to visit in person. That’s why it’s essential to present your home in the best possible light through professional real estate photography and videography.

In this ultimate staging guide, we will explore the key steps to tidying up and staging your home to ensure that when your professional photographer and videographer arrive, they are able to capture stunning visuals that grab the attention of potential buyers.

Your photographer or videographer is an artist. Artists can get distracted if they have to rearrange and tidy rooms before a shoot. After all, that’s not part of their job description and limits what they are able to capture. Following this guide will help you and your photographer or videographer capture the best possible imagery of your home. 

Design for the Camera

Before you begin, take a moment to assess what will appear through the lens of a camera and how it will appear. Some homeowners find it helpful to walk around their homes with their cell phone cameras to see what a potential photo could be. From there you can focus on working out what areas need tidying and improving

Decluttering a De-Personalization Helps Buyers Envision Their Lives at Your Home

One of the most important steps in preparing your home for real estate photography and videography is decluttering. Remove any unnecessary items that can make a room look messy or crowded.

Remove personal photographs, religious symbols, or other highly specific items that might distract potential buyers. The goal is to create a neutral and universally appealing environment.

This includes clearing countertops, tables, and shelves of excessive personal belongings. By depersonalizing the space, potential buyers can envision themselves living in the home more easily. Keep only essential and visually pleasing items.

Organize Your BookShelves And Storage SPaces

If you have a bookshelf or storage space take time to organize them neatly. Arrange them by colour or size to create a visually pleasing and professional appearance. This simple trick adds a touch of sophistication to your space and makes it more appealing in photographs.

Store Your Kitchen Gadgets in the Cabinets

Buyers want to see your countertops, not your coffee maker! After all, a buyer is coming into your home to see the home – not your stuff. Limit the number of kitchen gadgets and items you have on display. If you have a pantry or cabinet, placing these items there would be ideal.

Pay Attention to Details

Just before the photography session, double-check every room for any overlooked flaws or imperfections. Straighten up rugs, align furniture, and ensure that everything is in its place.

When it comes to staging your bedrooms, pay attention to the bedding and curtains. Iron them carefully to remove any wrinkles or creases. Crisp, neatly arranged bedding creates a sense of luxury and cleanliness, while well-ironed curtains add an elegant touch to the room.

Good Lighting is Key

Good lighting is essential for capturing high-quality real estate photos and videos. Open the curtains, shutters, and blinds to let in natural light during the shoot. Additionally, turn on all the lights in the room to brighten up the space, and even consider adding lamps to the space to further brighten it and add more ambience. Well-lit rooms appear more inviting and spacious in photographs.

Clean and Tidy Floors

Before the photoshoot or video tour, vacuum your carpets to remove any dust or dirt. Clean carpets make a significant difference in the overall appearance of the room, creating a sense of freshness and cleanliness.

Dirty Windows? Clean Them!

Dirty windows can hinder the amount of natural light entering your home and affect the overall ambience of the space. Take the time (as time-consuming as it is) to clean all of your windows inside and out to ensure a crystal-clear view from both the inside and outside. Sparkling windows make a remarkable difference in the visual appeal of your home. This holds especially true for videography as your dirty windows will show in video more than photo.

Adapt Your Color Scheme

When staging your home for real estate photography and videography, it’s best to keep the colour schemes neutral. Neutral tones create a blank canvas that allows potential buyers to visualize their own style and preferences in the space. Avoid bold or overwhelming colour schemes that may distract or turn off potential buyers. It could be as simple as switching out your statement piece red recliner for a more traditional tan chair or replacing a sports team-themed throw with a nice plush white throw.

Stage the Rooms

Consider staging the rooms to create an attractive and welcoming atmosphere. Use tasteful furniture arrangements, attractive decor, and soft lighting to enhance the appeal of each space. Pay attention to details like pillows, throws, and artwork.

Put the Toilet Seat Down in the Bathroom

In the bathroom, remember to put the toilet seat down. It’s a small detail, but it contributes to the overall tidiness and presentation of the space. Keeping the toilet seat down creates a more polished and inviting look for your bathroom.

Don’t Forget the Exterior

The first thing a potential buyer will see as they pull up at your home is the exterior, which makes it all that much more important to clean up and make presentable.

Checklist

Throughout the property

• Thoroughly clean the whole house; this includes cleaning surfaces, vacuuming, and mopping.
• Clean all your windows inside and out
• Declutter
• Turn off ceiling fans or floor fans
• Turn off TVs and computers
• Remove all religious items and personal photographs
• Tidy up shoes and toys and put them away where needed
• Open all blinds, shutters, and curtains to bring in natural light
• Turn on lamps and all overhead lights

Exterior

• Remove trash, branches, leaves, etc.
• Park vehicles away from the house, down the street, or in the garage.
• Perfect your landscaping (sweep walkways, mow the lawn, trim shrubbery)
• Remove hoses and other lawn care items
• Remove toys, sports equipment, soccer goals, etc
• Sweeping outdoor space and walkways, including patios, decks, and walkways, is another essential step in tidying up for real estate photography and videography.
• Add flowers or other potted plants
• Store BBQ items and toys

Kitchen

• Remove clutter
• Store appliances such as air fryers, coffee makers, etc.
• Hide magnets and flyers from the fridge
• Store garbage bins
• Clean dishes and put them away
• Clean up open shelving
• Consider adding a fruit bowl
• Straighten up chairs around the dining table or island

Living / Family room

• Remove excess papers such as newspapers
• Declutter bookshelves, side tables, and television cabinet
• Put remotes in drawers
• Fluff up pillows and cushions
• Hide or remove any toys for kids and pets
• Spruce up indoor plants or consider adding more for a sense of home

Bathroom

• Remove any toiletries from the vanity – no toothbrushes, deodorant, or clutter
• Put the toilet seat down
• Add a new roll of toilet paper
• Add fresh towels
• Remove soaps from the shower or put them in trendy reusable bottles.

Bedrooms

• Make all beds and add throw pillows
• Iron bedding
• Remove all personal items from bedside tables, including medications.
• Take down family photos.
• Remove any wall stickers or artwork in kids’ rooms.

By following these tips and guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to preparing your home for stunning real estate photography and videography.

Remember, the goal is to showcase your home’s best features, create a sense of space and cleanliness, and allow potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space, not show off your personal items. With a well-staged and tidy home, you’ll increase your chances of attracting serious buyers and achieving a successful sale.