Clean, bright counters photograph better than decorated counters.

• Clear countertops except one or two simple items.Clear counters; keep only essentials.
• Hide dishes, sponges, drying racks, soap bottles, and paper towels.Hide dishes, soap, sponges, paper towels.
• Remove magnets, papers, calendars, and personal photos from the refrigerator.Remove magnets and fridge clutter.
• Wipe appliances, cabinet fronts, sink, faucet, and backsplash.Wipe appliances, cabinets, sink, backsplash.
• Empty or hide visible trash and recycling bins.Hide trash and recycling bins.
• Remove pet bowls, high chairs, medication, mail, and charging cords.Hide pet bowls, high chairs, meds, mail, cords.

Bathrooms should look hotel-clean and personal-item free.

• Remove toiletries, toothbrushes, razors, shampoo bottles, scales, and cleaning supplies.Remove toiletries and cleaning items.
• Close toilet lids and hide plungers, toilet brushes, and trash cans.Close lids; hide plungers, brushes, trash cans.
• Clean mirrors, counters, faucets, shower glass, tubs, and floors.Clean mirrors, counters, glass, tubs, floors.
• Use clean, simple towels and remove bath mats unless they look new.Use clean towels; remove worn bath mats.
• Open shower curtains neatly or close glass doors after cleaning.Tidy shower curtains or glass doors.

Beds, floors, windows, and nightstands carry most bedroom photos.

• Make every bed tightly with pillows straight and bedding smoothed.Make beds neatly with smooth bedding.
• Clear nightstands, dressers, laundry, visible cords, and personal items.Clear nightstands, dressers, laundry, cords.
• Remove items from under beds if visible from the doorway.Remove visible under-bed clutter.
• Open blinds or curtains evenly and check that lamps work.Open blinds/curtains; check lamps.
• Hide valuables, medications, family photos, and personal documents.Hide valuables, meds, photos, documents.

Create clear walking lines and simple, balanced surfaces.

• Remove excess pillows, blankets, remotes, toys, paperwork, and personal decor.Remove remotes, toys, paperwork, personal decor.
• Straighten furniture, rugs, curtains, and lamps so the room feels aligned.Straighten furniture, rugs, curtains, lamps.
• Clear coffee tables, side tables, TV stands, and visible shelves.Clear coffee/end tables and shelves.
• Hide cords, chargers, game controllers, pet beds, and exercise equipment.Hide cords, pet items, clutter, exercise gear.
• Open blinds or curtains and turn on lamps for consistent light.Open blinds; turn on lamps.

Small spaces need fewer visible items than everyday use allows.

• Clear shoes, coats, bags, umbrellas, packages, and entry-table clutter.Clear shoes, coats, bags, packages.
• Clean the front door, threshold, door glass, and visible hardware.Clean front door and hardware.
• Straighten closets only if they will be photographed; otherwise keep doors closed.Straighten closets only if photographed.

The first listing photo often starts outside.

• Move cars, trash bins, hoses, tools, toys, bikes, and sports gear out of sight.Move cars, trash bins, hoses, tools, toys.
• Mow, edge, sweep walkways, trim obvious overgrowth, and clear leaves or branches.Mow, edge, sweep, trim overgrowth.
• Open curtains/blinds from inside so windows look consistent from exterior photos.Open blinds from inside for consistent windows.
• Close garage doors and remove temporary signs or delivery boxes.Close garage doors; remove boxes/signs.
• Stage patios or decks simply: straighten chairs, cushions, grill cover, and outdoor tables.Stage patio simply; straighten furniture.

Only photograph storage if it adds value.

• Park vehicles elsewhere unless the garage will not be photographed.Park vehicles elsewhere.
• Clear the floor path, organize shelves, and remove visible trash or hazardous materials.Clear floor path; remove trash/hazards.
• Hide seasonal storage, tools, paint cans, and personal bins behind closed doors if possible.Hide tools, paint, seasonal items.
• Turn on garage lights and close garage doors for exterior photos.Turn on lights; close doors for exterior photos.

Pet evidence is one of the fastest ways to make photos feel less listing-ready.

• Remove pets from the property or keep them fully secured during the shoot.Remove or securely contain pets.
• Hide food bowls, beds, crates, litter boxes, leashes, toys, and scratching posts.Hide bowls, beds, crates, litter boxes, toys.
• Vacuum pet hair from floors, furniture, stairs, and rugs.Vacuum pet hair.
• Repair or hide obvious pet damage where possible.Hide pet damage or wear.
• Alert the photographer and agent about any pets that may still be on-site.Alert photographer about pets.

Do this final pass right before the photographer starts.

• Turn on all lights and replace any burned-out bulbs.Turn on lights; replace burned-out bulbs.
• Open blinds and curtains evenly unless the photographer asks for a different lighting setup.Open blinds and curtains evenly.
• Turn off ceiling fans, TVs, computer screens, and distracting displays.Turn off fans, TVs, screens.
• Close toilet lids, cabinet doors, closet doors, shower doors, and garage doors.Close lids, cabinets, closets, shower doors.
• Remove people, pets, vehicles, trash cans, and cleaning supplies from photo areas.Remove people, pets, vehicles, trash, supplies.
• Unlock rooms, gates, garages, sheds, and amenity areas that need to be photographed.Unlock photo areas.
• Check mirrors and windows for reflections of people, cars, or clutter.Check mirror/window reflections.