Pre-Shoot Home Sale Preparation

Buyers start their search online. Preparing your home before photography ensures a smooth shoot and results in the best possible images for your listing. 

Your home should be shoot-ready

I’m Tim Hanson, owner and photographer of Tim Hanson Productions. I specialize in real estate photography throughout Sioux Falls and surrounding areas. My goal is to capture your home at its absolute best - and that requires teamwork.

The home should be fully prepared before the scheduled start time.

Photography and video are captured efficiently and in sequence. Items should not be moved from room to room during the shoot, as this slows the process and creates continuity issues, especially for walkthrough video.

To ensure the best results, please have all rooms shoot-ready before arrival rather than adjusting spaces as the shoot progresses.

I am not a home stager and do not make styling or layout decisions. If something is clearly distracting and can be corrected quickly, I may mention it or make a small adjustment, but overall preparation and staging decisions should be finalized ahead of time.
 

All rooms, including bathrooms, will be photographed. Closets, garages, and unfinished areas are excluded unless requested by your agent.

Selling a home is like selling a product. While your décor works for your lifestyle, preparing for photography helps future buyers envision themselves in the space.

Please review the checklist below before your appointment.

General Preparation (All Areas)

• Thoroughly clean the entire home
• Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON
• Replace burned out light bulbs
• Use matching bulb color temperature throughout the home. Daylight or cool white bulbs (5000K–6500K) photograph best. 
• Turn ceiling fans OFF and dust if needed
• Turn TVs and computer screens OFF
• Open blinds and window coverings
• Remove personal photographs
• Make all beds
• Remove small floor rugs
• Store shoes jackets and clutter out of sight

Exterior Preparation

• Remove trash cans from view (place inside garage or at curb)
• Remove vehicles from driveway
• Mow lawn and trim landscaping as seasonally appropriate
• Clear decks, patios, and walkways of leaves, snow, or debris
• Remove visible water hoses
• Remove toys, sports equipment, and yard clutter
• Remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames
• Pick up dog waste from yard 
• Pool/Hot Tub (if applicable): Clean pool, hide toys and equipment, open cover; hot tub jets only if requested. 

Kitchen

• Clear countertops completely
• Leave out a maximum of one small appliance
• Remove magnets papers and photos from refrigerator
• Hide trash cans
• Remove dishes from sink and load dishwasher
• Do not store items inside the microwave or oven 
• If there is an island, limit stools to two or three to keep the space open and uncluttered 

Dining Area

• Clear table completely unless a curated or staged place setting is present 
• Dust and polish table surface
• Straighten and evenly space chairs
• Remove booster seats and high chairs

Living and Family Rooms

• Remove magazines papers and clutter
• Simplify fireplace mantel decor and clean fireplace glass if applicable 
• Fluff pillows and arrange furniture neatly
• Remove toys
• Hide remote controls

Bedrooms – Primary

• Make bed with clean pressed linens
• Clear nightstands and dresser tops
• Store charging cables out of sight
• Remove family photos
• Remove items from under the bed

Bedrooms – Kids and Guest

• Remove names from walls
• Remove wall decals and posters
• Remove diaper pails
• Remove items from under the bed

Bathrooms

• Clear countertops completely
• Put toilet seats down
• Close closet doors
• Remove toiletries from showers and tubs if the interior will be photographed 
• Remove dirty towels.
• Leave out only fresh unused towels arranged neatly
• Remove bath mats

Pets

• Secure pets in non photographed areas
• Hide food and water bowls
• Hide pet beds and toys
• Remove pet hair from furniture