HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME

GENERAL TIPS

  • THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE ENTIRE HOME (VACUUM CARPET, MOP FLOORS, CLEAN COUNTERTOPS, WINDOWS, ETC.)

  • REPLACE ALL BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS

  • MAKE SURE ALL BULBS ARE SAME COLOR TEMPERATURE (SAME KIND OF BULB IN EACH ROOM)

  • TURN OFF ALL CEILING FANS (PHOTOGRAPHY ONLY)

  • TURN ALL CEILING FANS ON LOW SETTING (VIDEO ONLY)

  • TURN ALL TVS AND COMPUTER MONITORS OFF

  • REMOVE SMALL STEROS LIKE ALEXA, SIRI, AND GOOGLE ASSIST (CLEAN COUNTERS)

  • OPEN BLINDS (SAME LEVEL) AND TUCK STRING OFF TO THE SIDE

  • REMOVE PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHS OR REPLACE WITH GENERAL PHOTOGRAPHS

  • MAKE ALL BEDS (MAKE SURE THE BEDDING COVER BOXSPRING IF POSSIBLE

  • MAKE SURE THERE ISN’T ANYTHING VISIBLE UNDER THE BED (IF YOU CAN SEE IT SO WILL THE CAMERA)

  • REMOVE SMALL FLOOR RUGS TO REVEAL ACTUAL FLOORING

  • PLACE ALL SHOES AND JACKETS IN CLOSETS

FRONT EXTERIOR

  • Use broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames

  • Remove visible water hoses

  • Remove toys, sports balls, kid’s toys, etc.

  • Hide trash cans behind bushes or in garage

  • Close garage doors

  • Remove cars from driveway and front of home

  • Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)

  • Remove empty planters

BACK EXTERIOR

  • Clean porch and wipe clean outdoor tables, chairs & cushions

  • Pillows and cushions should be clean and not show sun fade

  • Clear out kid’s toys, balls, pet evidence and alike

  • Clean pool and remove vacuum

  • Hide pool cleaning supplies

  • Turn on pool fountains/water features

  • Remove trash cans

KITCHEN

  • Clear countertops completely

  • Leave out no more than one appliance, a fruit bowl, and a couple other decorative pieces, which include contrasting colors

  • Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.

  • Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet

  • Remove dishes from sink, place in dishwasher

  • Clean all stainless steel appliances and leave no wipe marks

DINING ROOM/AREA

  • Clear table, dust and polish the table top

  • Use decorative place setting if available

  • Feature one center piece such as a bouquet of flowers

  • Remove child seats/booster chairs

  • Align all chairs uniformly with table and each other

  • Align table directly under over-lamp

  • Straighten all chairs and space them evenly

LIVING/FAMILY ROOM

  • Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc. (unless intentionally staged/placed)

  • De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than 5 items, including art)

  • Clean interior of fireplace and re paint if needed

  • Fluff and arrange furniture pillows

  • Remove toys (pet toys included)

  • Center rug with furniture

  • Hide remote controls and electric wires

MASTER BEDROOM

  • Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available

  • Press bed linens and bed skirts

  • Clear nightstands of all personal items

  • Store away phone/tablet charging cables

  • Remove all clutter from top of dressers

  • Remove family photos from walls

  • Clean under bed, removing items that may show in photos

  • Rotate bed lamps so stitching is facing towards wall

KID/GUEST BEDROOM

  • Remove personalized names from walls

  • Remove wall stickers/posters

  • Clean under bed, removing items that may show in photos

  • Typically, secondary rooms are smaller, thus the importance of de-cluttering is more important to show the space and potential of new furniture

BATHROOMS

  • Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.

  • Put toilet seats down. PLEASE!

  • Close all doors

  • Remove shampoos, soaps, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs

  • Remove used towels – leave out only new,unused towels. Decorate towels with 1 hand towel over 1 large towel and place on rack. Fold outside edges in

  • Remove floor mats

  • Clean mirrors and wipe away any marks

PET CARE

  • Place all food and water bowls in pantry or closet

  • Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hairs

  • Contain pets in hidden crate or outside

  • Clear back yard of pet waste/toys

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