The majority of home buyers start their search online, which is why it is important to make the first impression count. Follow these tips to prepare your home for the best real estate photos possible

• Thoroughly clean the whole house (vacuum carpet, mop floors, clean counter tops, clean windows)
• Replace all burned out light bulbs
• Use bulbs of the same temperature (All incandescent or all compact fluorescents)
• Turn OFF all ceiling fans
• Turn OFF all TVs
• Turn OFF all computer screens
• Open blinds/window treatments to let in outside light
• Remove personal photographs (or replace with general landscape/object photographs)
• Make all beds
• Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring
• Place all shoes/jackets in closets 

• Close garage doors
• Remove cars from driveway and front of home
• Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)
• Remove empty planters
• Use broom to remove cobwebs from door frames
• Remove visible water hoses
• Remove trashcans
• Remove toys, sports ball, ext..

The backyard provides an oasis to relax. 

• Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables, chairs, and cushions
• Freshen up pillows and cushions
• Clear out kid's toys, balls, frisbees, ect
• Clean the pool
• Remove pool vacuum and cleaner hose
• Hide pool cleaning supplies
• Turn on pool fountains and water features
• Remove visible water hoses
• Remove trash cans

The heart of the home. It is where the meals are created to refuel the body, mind and souls of families and friends. 

• Leave out maximum of one small appliance (ex. coffee maker)
• Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, ect.
• Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
• Remove dishes from sink (place in dishwasher)
• Put away dishpans and drying mats
• Pull cleaning supplies and brooms away

A place where family and friends can focus on meals and conversations. 

• Clear table, dust and polish the table top
• Use a decorative center piece such as fresh flowers
• Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
• Remove child seats / booster chairs
• Remove unnecessary clutter

The space to enjoy conversation and spend quality time with family.

• Remove personal photos and replace with landscape or object photos
• De-clutter the fireplace mantel / hearth 
• Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
• Remove clutter / extra furniture
• Remove kid toys

A good night sleep recharges the mind and the body.

• Make the bed, including decorative pillows and shams. 
• Press bed linens and bed skirt, if needed.
• Clear nightstands of personal items.
• Store away phone and tablet charging cables.
• Remove all clutter from top of dressers.
• Remove family photos from walls and dressers.
• Clean under the bed, removing items that may show in a photo. 

Don't forget about the kids/guest bedrooms!

• Remove personalized names from walls.
• Remove wall stickers/posters.
• Remove personal photos.
• Remove diaper genies.
• Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos.

Creating a spa-like bathroom:

• Clear all personal items
• Clear countertops completely. NO soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, ect.
• Put toilet seat down
• Close closet doors
• Remove shampoo, soup, loofahs, ect. from showers and tubs
• Remove dirty towels- leave out only new or unused towels
• Remove floor mats

We love our pets, but we want to minimize their presence for potential buyers.

• Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet
• Place pet beds and toys in pantry or closet
• Use a lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair
• Contain pets in hidden crate or outside
• Clear back yard of pet waste and toys