Susanne Hayek Photography for the Real Estate Professional 626.353.1266 susanne@susannehayekphotography.com

Preparing a Home for Photography and Showings

Ideally: 

"Staging" could be described as the opposite of "decorating"!  Decorating and interior design is all about personalizing a space...staging a home for sale is all about de-personalizing the space to allow the potential buyer to imagine it for themselves. If you are able think of it as "not my home anymore" this will make it easier to remove those personal photographs and objects.

Edit 50% of household belongings.  Packing up off season clothes will make closets look more spacious.  Same concept applies to books on bookshelves, toys in the children’s rooms, kitchen items, etc. 

Exteriors:

• Remove trash cans, gardening tools, etc from sight
  

• stow children's and pet's toys
  

• coil hoses
  

• open patio umbrellas and set out cushions
  

• uncover bbqs, pools, spas
  

• dogs in dog run or garage
  

Lighting Tips:

• Replace any burned out bulbs.
  

• Consider replacing kitchen fluorescent bulbs with newer generation, white-light, daylight bulbs.
  

Interiors:

• Clean well.
  

• De-clutter.
  

• Remove/Replace/Repaint anything that is too "taste-specific"
  

• Valuables and Medications out of sight or locked up
  

• Open window coverings (unless they are concealing a less than desirable view) or remove them entirely; rooms are larger when the eye can extend out to the view
  

• Turn on all lights; fans off
  

• Toilet lids down
  

• Remove most, if not all personal photographs (especially large portraits over fireplaces or in the main living areas; replace those with neutral art.)
  

• Conceal garbage containers
  

• Remove everything from the fridge (pictures, kids art, magnets, etc.)
  

• Keep floor coverings to the essentials
  

• Clear the bathroom countertops.  Leave only a few decorative items or a floral or plant arrangement.  Put out best towels.
  

• Empty the shower of shampoos, etc.
  

• Clear Kitchen countertops.  Leave a maximum of one appliance per countertop area. Countertop microwaves should be hidden from sight. 
  

• remove all signs of pets (bowls, rugs, pillows, etc)
  

• remove any table coverings
  

• Declutter fireplace mantel