Owner On-Boarding

Getting Started and Prepping Your Home

Owners should avoid cleaning or moving items while the photographer is present. If necessary, our team can arrive early to ensure the home is fully prepared. Photographers may make minor adjustments to improve the composition of a shot, but they are not responsible for cleaning or staging the home.

If the property is vacant, it should be thoroughly deep cleaned, and all personal items must be removed from the property, including closets and sheds, before photographs are taken. Please store any unnecessary items or clutter in the garage or extra closets prior to the photoshoot.

Pre-Photography Home Preparation Checklist

1. Turn on all overhead lights, fan lights, and side lamps.
2. Replace any burned-out light bulbs, including oven hood lights, and ensure all bulbs have the same color temperature.
3. Turn off ceiling fan blades, televisions, and computer screens.
4. Remove all vehicles from the driveway.
5. Store toys, clutter, and stacks of papers in closets or the garage.
6. Remove all refrigerator magnets.
7. Clear kitchen counters by removing small appliances, food, cookware, and paper towel rolls.
8. Hide all trash cans.
9. Remove any child safety fences around the pool area.
10. Remove floor mats and small rugs to showcase the flooring.
11. Open blinds and window treatments to let in natural light.
12. Remove personal photographs or replace them with neutral landscape or object photographs.
13. Ensure all beds are made.
14. Place shoes and jackets inside closets.
15. Hide toothbrushes, medications, and personal hygiene products in the bathrooms.
16. Remove shampoo, soap, and other products from the shower’s view.
17. Remove tissue boxes.
18. Remove pedestal fans.
19. Hide branded products, such as those atop the refrigerator or in the kitchen.
20. Trim trees, bushes, and landscaping to enhance curb appeal and backyard views.

This checklist ensures your home is ready for professional photography, creating a clean, inviting space that appeals to potential tenants.

Exterior Front Preparation

• Close Garage Doors: Ensure all garage doors are closed to create a clean, unified appearance for the front of the home. Open garage doors can detract from curb appeal and disrupt the overall visual flow of the exterior.
• Pressure Wash the Exterior: If needed, pressure wash the exterior surfaces, including the siding, walkways, and driveway. A freshly cleaned exterior enhances the home’s appearance, making it look well-maintained and inviting.
• Trim Low-Hanging Branches: Prune any low-hanging tree branches that may obstruct front-facing photographs. Clear sightlines help highlight the full structure of the home and its landscaping.
• Remove Cars from Driveway and Front of Home: Ensure the driveway and street directly in front of the home are clear of any vehicles. This allows the focus to remain on the home itself and improves curb appeal.
• Clean Landscaping: Mow the lawn, trim shrubs, and clear away leaves or debris. Well-maintained landscaping significantly enhances the overall appearance of the home and creates a welcoming first impression.
• Remove Empty Planters and Non-Essential Items: Remove empty or unused planters, garden tools, or any other non-essential items from the front yard. Keeping the space clear and minimal allows potential tenants to focus on the home itself.
• Sweep Eaves and Door Frames: Use a broom to remove cobwebs and dirt from eaves, door frames, and other exterior surfaces. Clean entryways make the home feel well-cared for and attractive.
• Remove Visible Water Hoses: Store water hoses out of sight, such as in the garage or a storage bin. Visible hoses can detract from the clean lines of the landscaping and home exterior.
• Clear Toys and Sports Equipment: Remove any toys, sports equipment, basketball hoops, soccer goals, or similar items from the front yard. These items can make the space feel cluttered and take attention away from the home’s curb appeal.

Exterior Backyard and Pool Preparation

• Clean and Tidy the Porch: Sweep and tidy up the porch, ensuring that outdoor tables, chairs, and cushions are neatly arranged. A well-organized porch makes the backyard feel like an inviting extension of the home.
• Replace or Freshen Outdoor Cushions: Replace any faded or worn outdoor pillows and cushions with fresh, bright ones. This adds a pop of color and creates a welcoming atmosphere.
• Remove Children’s Toys and Yard Items: Clear the backyard of children’s toys, balls, frisbees, or any other items that could clutter the space. A clean yard highlights the size and potential of the outdoor area.
• Thoroughly Clean the Pool: Clean the pool, ensuring that the water is clear, debris is removed, and pool tiles are scrubbed. A sparkling pool is a major selling point and should be showcased at its best.
• Remove Pool Cleaning Supplies: Store pool vacuums, cleaning hoses, and any other maintenance tools out of sight. Keeping the pool area tidy allows it to be viewed as a luxury feature, not a maintenance task.
• Turn On Pool Fountains/Water Features: If your pool has fountains or water features, turn them on to create a relaxing and inviting ambiance in photos.
• Remove Visible Water Hoses: As in the front yard, store any water hoses in the backyard out of sight to maintain a clean and orderly look.
• Hide or Remove Trash Cans: Ensure trash cans are hidden from view, either in a garage or behind a fence. Visible trash cans can detract from the overall appeal of the yard.
• Trim Low-Hanging Branches: Trim any low-hanging branches in the backyard that might obstruct views of the yard, patio, or pool. This ensures a clear view of the outdoor space in its entirety.

This preparation ensures that the exterior front and backyard, including the pool area, are clean, well-organized, and ready for professional photography, highlighting the beauty and functionality of the outdoor spaces.

Kitchen Preparation

• Clear Countertops Completely: Remove all items from the countertops, including knife blocks, baking supplies, small appliances, and mail. A clear, uncluttered countertop helps to highlight the kitchen’s available workspace, making it look larger and more functional.
• Limit Small Appliances: Leave only one or two small appliances on the countertop, such as a coffee maker or toaster. Keep them clean and minimal to avoid overwhelming the space.
• Clean Refrigerator Exterior: Remove all magnets, papers, photos, and other items from the refrigerator door. A clean refrigerator front looks modern and sleek in photos, helping the kitchen appear less personalized and more appealing to a broad range of potential tenants.
• Hide Garbage Cans: Place garbage cans out of sight in a pantry or closet. Visible trash cans can distract from the kitchen’s overall aesthetic and should be hidden for the photoshoot.
• Empty the Sink: Ensure the sink is empty of any dishes, pots, or pans, and place everything in the dishwasher. A clean sink is essential for a tidy kitchen appearance.
• Remove Dish Towels: Take dish towels off appliance handles to maintain a clean, streamlined look. Hanging towels can clutter the space and distract from the features of the kitchen.
• Remove Floor Mats: Floor mats can detract from the visual appeal of the flooring and often draw attention away from the kitchen’s features. Removing them allows potential tenants to focus on the quality of the flooring and the overall space.
• Clean and Polish Appliances: Thoroughly clean all kitchen appliances, ensuring they are streak-free and spotless. A polished finish on the stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher enhances the kitchen’s overall appeal, giving it a high-end, well-maintained look.
• Organize Cabinets and Drawers (Optional): Though not always necessary for photos, it’s helpful to organize cabinets and drawers in case potential tenants want to see storage options during showings.

Dining Room Table Preparation

• Clear the Table: Remove all clutter from the dining table, including paperwork, food items, or other miscellaneous objects. A clean table makes the room feel open and ready for potential tenants to visualize dining in the space.
• Decorative Place Settings: If available, set the table with decorative place settings to give the dining room a finished, inviting look. Simple tableware or seasonal décor can help make the space more appealing.
• Feature a Centerpiece: Place one simple centerpiece on the table, such as a vase of flowers, a bowl of fruit, or a decorative item. A single, elegant piece can serve as a focal point and add warmth to the room.
• Straighten and Align Chairs: Ensure all chairs are straightened and evenly spaced around the table for a tidy, organized appearance.
• Remove Child Seats or Booster Chairs: If child seats or booster chairs are present, remove them to maintain a more formal, polished look.

By following these detailed steps, your kitchen and dining room will be staged to create a clean, spacious, and visually appealing atmosphere, enhancing their attractiveness in professional photographs and for prospective tenants.

Living Room Preparation

• Declutter Surfaces: Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, and other miscellaneous items from all surfaces, including coffee tables, side tables, and bookshelves. Keep surfaces clean and minimal to create a spacious, inviting atmosphere.

• Simplify Fireplace Mantel and Hearth: De-clutter the mantel and hearth by limiting decorations to no more than five carefully chosen items, including artwork or decor. A clean, organized mantel helps highlight the fireplace as a key feature of the room.

• Clean the Fireplace Interior: If your fireplace is visible in photos, ensure the interior is cleaned of any ashes or debris for a fresh, tidy appearance. Consider arranging logs or a fire starter set for added aesthetic appeal.

• Fluff and Arrange Pillows: Arrange and fluff pillows on couches and chairs to make the furniture look comfortable and inviting. If possible, add bright or contrasting pillows to create visual interest and a pop of color.

• Remove Children’s Toys and Personal Items: Clear the space of children’s toys, pet accessories, and other personal items that may distract from the overall aesthetic. These items should be stored out of sight, either in closets or storage bins.

• Furniture Arrangement: Ensure all furniture is arranged in a way that promotes flow and openness in the room. If possible, pull seating away from the walls to create a more intimate and balanced layout.

• Open Window Treatments: Open blinds and curtains to let in as much natural light as possible. Natural light makes the space appear larger and more inviting in photos.

• Hide Electronics and Cords: Tidy up any visible electronic devices, cords, or remotes. Consider storing them in drawers or bins for the duration of the photoshoot to minimize visual clutter.

• Dust and Clean: Dust all surfaces, including shelves, picture frames, and the TV stand. Wipe down all furniture to ensure it’s clean and dust-free, giving the room a polished look.

• Highlight Unique Features: If the living room has unique architectural elements like exposed beams, large windows, or built-in shelving, ensure they are clean and uncluttered so they stand out in photos.

By following these steps, you’ll create a living room that feels clean, bright, and welcoming, allowing potential tenants to visualize themselves in the space

Master Bedroom Preparation

• Make the Bed: Ensure the bed is neatly made with clean linens. Add decorative pillows or shams if available to create a polished, inviting look.
• Press Bed Linens: Iron bed linens and bed skirts to remove wrinkles, ensuring the bed looks crisp and professional in photographs.
• Clear Nightstands: Remove all personal items from nightstands, such as books, glasses, and phones, to keep the space uncluttered.
• Store Away Charging Cables: Tuck away phone and tablet charging cables to avoid visual clutter.
• Declutter Dressers: Remove all items from the tops of dressers, including jewelry, perfume bottles, and other personal belongings.
• Remove Family Photos: Take down family or personal photos from the walls, allowing potential tenants to visualize the space as their own.
• Clean Under the Bed: Ensure the area under the bed is clean and free of any visible items that might show in the photos.

Guest/Kid Bedroom Preparation

• Remove Personalized Names: Take down any personalized name decals or signs from the walls to create a neutral space.
• Remove Wall Stickers and Posters: Remove all stickers, posters, or themed decorations to create a more versatile and broadly appealing room.
• Hide Diaper Genies and Toys: Remove diaper pails, children’s toys, and other kid-specific items to maintain a clean and tidy appearance.
• Clean Under the Bed: Make sure nothing is visible under the bed, keeping the area neat and free of clutter.

Following these steps will ensure the master bedroom, guest/kid bedrooms are presented in their best light, making them appear clean, spacious, and ready for professional photography.

Bathroom Preparation

• Clear Countertops Completely: Remove all personal items from the countertops, including soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, makeup, and jewelry. A clean, empty surface looks more spacious and appealing.
• Put Toilet Seats Down: Always close the toilet seat lids to maintain a tidy, well-kept appearance.
• Close Closet Doors: Ensure all closet and cabinet doors are fully closed to create a streamlined look.
• Remove Items from Showers and Tubs: Remove or hide shampoo, soap, loofahs, razors, and other personal care products from the shower and tub area.
• Remove Dirty Towels: Remove any used or worn towels from view and replace them with clean, fresh ones if necessary.
• Remove Floor Mats and Bath Robes: Take up any floor mats or bathrobes from the space to keep the focus on the fixtures and finishes of the bathroom.
• Hide Trash Bins and Tissue Boxes: Ensure that all trash bins, tissue boxes, and other similar items are hidden out of sight to keep the room looking clean and uncluttered.

Pets Preparation

• Hide Food and Water Bowls: Place all pet food and water bowls in the pantry, closet, or another out-of-sight location to create a clean, clutter-free appearance.
• Store Pet Beds and Toys: Remove pet beds, toys, and other pet-related items from view, storing them in the pantry, closet, or another concealed area.
• Remove Pet Hair: Use a lint roller on furniture, rugs, and upholstery to remove any visible pet hair. This helps the home look cleaner and more appealing to potential tenants.
• Contain Pets: Keep pets in a hidden crate, out of sight, or in a safe outdoor area during the photography session to avoid distractions and ensure clean, unobstructed shots.
• Clean Up the Yard: Thoroughly clean the backyard of any pet waste, toys, or pet-related items to present a neat and well-maintained outdoor space.

By following these steps, you’ll ensure that the home appears clean and pet-free, making it more appealing to a wider range of potential tenants in the photographs.

Hiring Ember Realty

You can always hire Ember Realty to prep your home on your behalf. We will work closely with our vendors in order to get your home ready to rent. Just let us know and will be happy to help.