How to Get Your Home Ready for Real Estate Photos

Buyers decide in seconds whether to click on a listing — and great photos make all the difference. This lesson shows how small, simple steps can help your home stand out online and make a lasting first impression.

Clean, well-organized homes stand out in photos and build buyer confidence. This lesson explains how simple prep can make your home look more spacious, cared for, and ready to impress from the very first click.

Small details make a big difference. This lesson shows how to create spaces that feel warm, open, and distraction-free — so buyers can focus on the home’s best features and imagine themselves living there.

Some areas matter more than others in photos. This lesson highlights how to prepare high-impact zones — like kitchens, bathrooms, floors, and reflective surfaces — to make your home look clean, polished, and photo-ready from every angle.

A neatly made bed can transform the feel of a bedroom. This lesson shows how smooth bedding, styled pillows, and a clutter-free space help buyers see the room as restful, spacious, and move-in ready.

Pet items can distract buyers and clutter listing photos. This lesson covers how to tuck away beds, bowls, and toys so the home feels clean, spacious, and appealing to every potential buyer.

Clear surfaces help buyers focus on the space, not the stuff. This lesson explains how to tidy countertops, vanities, tables, and shelves so each room feels bigger, brighter, and more inviting in photos.

Personal photos and notes can distract buyers and clutter listing photos. This lesson shows how removing those items — especially from the fridge — keeps the home feeling neutral, polished, and buyer-friendly.

Small items like cords and remotes can distract from the home’s best features. This lesson shows how removing everyday clutter helps each room feel cleaner, more spacious, and easier for buyers to connect with.

Blinds and curtains don’t need to be wide open — just neat and natural. This lesson explains when to highlight the view and when to keep the focus on the room, helping your space feel clean and inviting in every photo.

Turning on all interior lights adds warmth and helps rooms look more inviting in photos. This lesson explains why it matters and which lights to check before your photo session begins.

Fans in motion or sitting out in the open can distract from your photos. This lesson explains why ceiling fans should be turned off and portable fans tucked away to keep each room looking clean and calm.

A freshly mowed lawn and clean edges make a strong first impression. This lesson covers how simple yard prep can boost curb appeal and help your exterior photos stand out.

Clean patios, porches, and driveways make your home’s first impression count. This lesson shows how a quick sweep and a little tidying up can make your outdoor spaces shine in listing photos.

Skip watering the lawn on photo day to avoid dark spots and muddy footprints. This lesson explains why dry grass and clean surfaces make for better real estate photos.

Avoid scheduling your real estate photos on trash day — curbside bins and bulk items can distract from a home’s first impression. A clean exterior helps your listing shine.

Clear cars from the driveway and curb before your photo session. An unobstructed view helps the home look clean, open, and more appealing to buyers.

Tidy up the yard by removing hoses, tools, toys, and outdoor clutter before your photo session. A clean, open exterior helps buyers focus on the home — not the stuff around it.

A simple wreath or potted plant can make your entryway feel warm and welcoming — just keep it subtle and neutral to appeal to every buyer.

A final walkthrough before the photographer arrives helps catch small details — like lights, fans, and pet items — so the home looks polished and photo-ready from every angle.

You’ve done the work — now it’s time for your home to shine. With everything prepped and polished, your listing photos will highlight what makes your home truly special.