Photo-Day Prep Checklist

Because the listing lives or dies online before anyone visits. Dark, cluttered photos cost you showings you'll never know you lost — the photos are the showing before the showing.

A deep clean, decluttered surfaces, open blinds, all lights on with warm bulbs, and personal photos and valuables removed. Bright and empty photographs far better than lived-in.

Clear the counters completely, hide appliances, soaps, and towels, and shine the fixtures. Empty counters make the spaces read bigger and cleaner on camera.

Shooting dark and cluttered. Bright light and empty counters are the two changes that most improve listing photos — don't let the photographer shoot without them.

Yes, if it sells. Cars out of the frame, and capture any view, deck, or walkable-street proximity — those lifestyle shots are what stop the scroll for the buyers paying that premium.

Run the room-by-room list and confirm bright light, empty counters, and a clean exterior before the shoot. Scheduling pro photography and a prep timeline is part of a listing Real Estate Review.