If You Do Nothing Else, Do These Things:

• Replace all burned out light bulbs both inside and outside the house. Try to keep all the bulbs within a room the same type, LED, incandescent.

• Hide the clutter.


General Prep Work:

• Remove excess furnishings and knick-knacks from rooms. Large amounts of furniture and decorations do not generally photograph well and can distract from the homes features and can potentially make a room look smaller in photos.

• Pick up throw rugs and runners in entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms so that the floor can be clearly seen.

• Wash the windows (or have them washed).
• Vacuum and/or mop the floors.


Home Exterior:

• Remove all cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles etc. from the driveways and do not park directly in front of the house.

• Move garbage and recycling cans out of sight.

• Remove all garden tools, hoses, and clutter.

• Pick up after your pets.
• Mow the grass, rake up leaves and debris, pull weeds and remove any dead vegetation.

• If you are feeling ambitious, plant some fresh flowers in empty planters and pots.

• Sweep driveways, sidewalks and patios.



Swimming Pools and Spas:

• Make sure they are clean. Sweep dirt off the bottom and skim off the debris floating on top.
• Remove the cover, pool sweep, floating chlorine dispenser and pool toys.

• Straighten lounge chairs, put away cleaning tools, and set up the patio umbrella if you have one.

• Turn on pool light(s), waterfalls and spa bubbles. Verify several days prior to your shoot that these are working in case you need to schedule repairs.

• If you want to add that extra touch, roll up some colorful pool towels and place them on the chairs and set up a pitcher of lemonade with some glasses on a table.


Living & Family Room:

• Remove newspapers and magazines and put away books.

• Tuck the remote controls in a draw to get them out of sight.

• Conceal exposed cables and cords as best that you can.

• Remove clutter, personal photos, the kids toys, etc. from bookshelves, tables and the floor.
• Dust and vacuum. Dust can show in a photograph.

• Wash any glass surfaces including table tops, cabinet doors and windows. Smudges and dirt on glass will be noticeable in the photographs.
• Straighten pillows and throws.


Bedrooms:

• Make the beds neatly; straighten the bed spread and pillows.
• Tidy up, dust and vacuum.

• Pick up and put away clothes and shoes.

• Remove items from bedside tables books, magazines, pictures, clock radios, etc.
• In the kids rooms put excess toys out of sight, take posters and drawings off the walls, and straighten up overall.



Kitchen:

• Put small appliances, knife blocks paper towels and kitchen gadgets away and off the counters
.
• Remove photos, notes, papers and magnets from the refrigerator.

• Clean the major appliances refrigerator, oven, stove top, range hood, and dishwasher.

• Wipe down the counter tops.

• Don't leave any dirty dishes in the sink or sponges, dish towels, dish soap or the like near the sink.
• Move trash cans out of site.




Dining Room:

• Dust the furniture and vacuum the floors.

• Setting the table with nice dinnerware, napkins and a centerpiece can give a homey feel.

• If you have a China cabinet make sure things are straight and tidy inside.





Bathrooms:

• Clear off the counter tops; toiletries, tissues, hair products, just about everything should be put away.

• Remove personal care products and children's bath toys from the shower and tub.


• Make sure towels are folded neatly and are straight on the towel bars.

• Close the lid on the toilets.


• Mirrors and shower doors should be clean.

• Hide away the toilet brush and plunger.




Odds and Ends:

• Turn on all the lights, inside and out.
• Turn off the ceiling fans.
• Open the blinds, shades and curtains.