We usually refer to staging as the last step in preparing your home for sale… that is when you start living in a pretend house! However, we also have another step beyond staging… preparing for your photo shoot. This may be even more detailed… and can be a good guide for open houses and showings, too. 
After you have already done your staging, below is a reminder checklist of some items it can be easy to forget for the photo shoot…
OUTSIDE
- Put trash cans, toys, bikes, dog kennels inside the garage
- Open umbrella on the patio and remove cover from grill (put in garage)
- Wind up garden hoses
- Park cars out of sight or in the garage
INSIDE
- Turn on all lights and lamps (make sure all are functional)
- Close all windows and open all blinds
- Turn off all ceiling fans, fireplaces and televisions (my awesome photographer adds fire in the fireplace and television image)
- Remove scatter rugs
- Remove all waste baskets throughout the home
- Remove remote controls, newspapers, magazines not used for staging
- Remove dog/cat beds
- Remove pets from the property or move them to spaces not being photographed
- Hide electrical cords as much as possible
- Remove hand towels from oven and fridge
- Remove dishes, drains/plugs and dishrags from the kitchen sink
- Remove everything from kitchen counters and cabinet tops except those items designated for staging
- Get rid of all products in the bathroom sinks, showers and bathtubs
- Put down all toilet seats
- Remove all laundry/cleaning products
- Remove clothes from front-loading washer and dryer
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Twin Cities Seller's Realtor
