If you’ve ever walked into a shoot and thought, “We’re not ready,” this is for you.
This checklist is designed for real-world listings—busy sellers, tight timelines, and the goal everyone shares: clean photos that sell the home.
The 10-minute pre-arrival reset
Here’s what we mean in practice:
Before the photographer arrives, have the seller do this quick sweep:
- Turn all lights on (yes, even lamps)
- Open blinds/curtains evenly (avoid half-open)
- Hide trash cans, pet bowls, loose cords
- Clear kitchen and bathroom counters (leave 1–2 intentional items max)
- Put away shampoo/soap bottles in showers
- Make beds, smooth comforters, straighten pillows
- Tuck toys, laundry, and clutter into a closet or bin
Room-by-room checklist
Entry + living areas
- Remove extra chairs/stools that crowd walkways
- Straighten rugs (crooked rugs show instantly)
- Turn off TVs/monitors
Kitchen
- Clear the sink and stove top
- Remove fridge magnets and papers
- Hide dish racks and sponges
Bathrooms
- Close toilet lids
- Remove toothbrushes and personal items
- Swap out old/colored towels for clean neutral towels
Here’s what this looks like in a real listing:
Bedrooms
A quick visual reference:
- Clear nightstands
- Hide charging cords
- Close closet doors unless the space is a feature
Exterior
- Move vehicles out of driveway
- Pull garbage bins out of sight
- Tidy porch furniture and straighten doormats
The 5 things that quietly ruin photos
1) Mixed bulbs (warm + cool lighting in the same room)
2) Half-open blinds (looks messy and distracts)
3) Too much on counters (reads as “small/chaotic”)
4) Cars in the driveway (kills curb appeal)
5) Random pet items (bowls, litter boxes, crates) in primary rooms
Quick text you can send sellers
Copy/paste:
Photo day reminder: please turn on all lights, clear kitchen/bath counters, hide trash/pet items, make beds, and move cars out of the driveway. We’ll take care of the rest.
Quick wins that make photos look instantly more expensive
- Replace/put away busy countertop items (soap bottles, sponges, paper towels).
- Keep one intentional prop per surface (a plant or a bowl), not five.
- If a room has mixed bulbs, turn off the odd one out and lean on lamps + window light.
- Hide cords and chargers—phones on nightstands are the #1 giveaway.
Another quick reference:
What to do when the home is not photo-ready
Sometimes you’re walking into a real house with a real life happening. Here’s the order of operations:
1) Safety + access (locks, pets, alarms)
2) Floors + counters (largest visual impact)
3) Beds + bathrooms (buyers judge these fast)
4) Curb appeal (driveway, bins, porch)
Agent pre-list checklist (48 hours before)
- Confirm: lockbox/code, pets, occupancy, and any off-limits areas
- Ask seller to pre-stage: neutral towels, clear counters, hide personal photos
- Plan for: snow/rain backup exterior shots if needed
The goal (so everyone stays on the same page)
We’re not trying to make the home feel like nobody lives there—we’re trying to make it feel easy to imagine living there. Clean lines, clear surfaces, and consistent light do that better than “decor.”