How to Prepare Your Des Moines Home for Real Estate Photography

A listing photo shows the house as it is on shoot day. These notes follow our home staging checklist: clear each room, then finish with a short list the morning of the shoot.

A few days before

Packing and mowing take longer than a last look through the house. Less is more: hide what you do not need in the photos.

• Use a "Less is More" mindset when deciding whether or not to hide things away
• Reduce clutter as much as possible
• Pack away things you don't use and put them in a closet or storage space
• Mow the lawn at least a few days before

General interior

Walk through and clear the surfaces in each room: floors, tables, shelves, and windows.

• Declutter all floors and clean them (vacuum carpets, wash floors)
• Declutter all tables and clean them (kitchen, dining room, coffee tables, side tables, and the like)
• Declutter and clean mantels, display cases, and bookshelves
• Clean the windows if necessary
• Remove pet bowls, toys, and other pet items

Kitchen

Clear the counters, refrigerator, stove, and sink so those surfaces are open.

• Clear most countertop items, including utensils, blenders, and dishes
• Remove magnets, photos, and anything else on the refrigerator, and clean it
• Clean the stove top thoroughly
• Leave the kitchen sink empty and clean
• Hide soap, sponges, paper towels, and other cleaning supplies

Bedrooms

Make the bed, then put away the small items that usually stay out.

• Make the bed with the best available bedding
• Hide chargers and wires
• Hide personal hygiene items
• Close closet doors
• Put clothes away

Bathrooms

Clear the sink, shower, and tub, and wipe the surfaces you can see.

• Clean all surfaces
• Remove toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other personal hygiene items from the sink
• Remove items from inside the shower and tub
• Put the toilet seats down

Outside

Clear the walk to the door, the plants around it, and the driveway.

• Sweep or rake walkways, decks, and seating areas
• Trim plants and remove dead plants
• Hide garbage cans if possible
• Remove cars from the driveway

Morning of the shoot

Once the rooms are cleared, these are the last steps before the photographer arrives.

1. Turn on the lights and replace any bulbs that are out
2. Open the curtains and blinds
3. Turn off fans
4. Put the toilet seats down
5. Hide garbage cans if they are still out
6. Move cars off the driveway

Download or print the home staging checklist and use it while you walk the house. When the house is ready, book a shoot.