Get Your House Ready to Sell
Get Your House Ready to Sell — A Step-by-Step Guide
Before your real estate photographer arrives, follow this proven home prep checklist to make your listing stand out online and attract serious buyers.
🛋️ General Interior Preparation
✅ Declutter all rooms: Remove personal items, loose papers, and unnecessary decor.
✅ Depersonalize: Take down family photos, political or religious items, and anything too taste-specific.
✅ Clean all surfaces: Wipe down countertops, mirrors, windows, and appliances.
✅ Turn off ceiling fans: They can cause motion blur in photos.
✅ Hide cords and remotes: Tuck away phone chargers, power strips, and TV remotes.
✅ Replace burnt-out light bulbs: Use matching bulbs with the same color temperature (preferably soft white, 2700K–3000K).
✅ Open blinds and curtains: Let in as much natural light as possible unless instructed otherwise.
✅ Vacuum and mop floors: A clean floor makes a huge visual difference.
🍽️ Kitchen
✅ Clear countertops: Leave only a few stylish items (e.g. fruit bowl, cookbook, or plant).
✅ Hide dish soap, sponges, and cleaning supplies
✅ Remove magnets and notes from the fridge
✅ Empty the sink
🛏️ Bedrooms
✅ Make all beds neatly
✅ Tuck away personal items like laundry, tissue boxes, and alarm clocks
✅ Straighten pillows and fluff comforters
✅ Hide clutter under the bed or in closets (but don’t overflow them if you’re showing the home!)
🛁 Bathrooms
✅ Clear countertops of personal care items
✅ Close toilet lids
✅ Hang fresh, neatly folded towels
✅ Remove floor mats and trash bins (unless they’re decorative)
✅ Clean mirrors, sinks, and shower glass
🖥️ Home Office (if applicable)
✅ Hide paperwork and visible cords
✅ Stage with a tidy laptop or notebook
✅ Remove extra chairs or filing cabinets
🧸 Kids & Pet Areas
✅ Store away most toys: Leave only a few items for a lived-in but tidy look.
✅ Hide pet food bowls, beds, litter boxes, and crates
✅ Ensure pets are off-site during the shoot if possible
🚪 Entry & Hallways
✅ Clear shoes, coats, and bags
✅ Turn on all hallway lights
✅ Make sure mirrors are streak-free
🌿 Outdoor Spaces
✅ Mow the lawn and trim bushes
✅ Sweep patios, porches, and decks
✅ Remove garden tools, hoses, and garbage bins
✅ Stage outdoor furniture attractively
✅ Open patio umbrellas or cushions if weather allows
📷 Final Photography Day Tips
✅ Turn on all lights, including lamps
✅ Turn off TVs and computer screens
✅ Park vehicles away from the front of the home
✅ Do a final walk-through with your agent or photographer if possible
Why This Checklist Matters
Following this prep guide ensures your home looks clean, bright, and spacious in photos — the key to maximizing your home’s visual appeal in online listings.
About West Coast Vision Media
📍 Expert Real Estate Photography on Vancouver Island
At West Coast Vision Media, we specialize in showcasing homes across Victoria, Vancouver Island, and the West Coast of BC with stunning, high-quality real estate photography, videography, and media services.
By following this prep checklist, you’re helping us capture your home at its very best, making it stand out in online listings and attracting more qualified buyers.
Whether you're a realtor, homeowner, or builder, our team is here to help your property make a lasting impression.
📞 Ready to book your real estate shoot?
Contact us today at hello@westcoastvision.media or 250-797-5750 to schedule your next listing, or learn more about our real estate media services in Victoria, BC.