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📸 How to Prep Your Home for Real Estate Photography: A Picture-Perfect Guide

If you’re selling your property, stunning images can be the difference between a listing that languishes and one that launches. Before your photographer arrives, it’s time to treat your home like it’s about to go on a first date—with lighting, angles, and tidiness all making a big impression.

Whether it’s a cozy cottage or a sleek urban flat, here’s how to make it shine:

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🧼 1. Declutter Ruthlessly

• Remove personal items, papers, and knickknacks
• Clear countertops, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms
• Pack away shoes, pet bowls, laundry baskets, and chargers

Less is more—think model home, not lived-in chaos.

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✨ 2. Clean Like You Mean It

• Dust surfaces, windows, and light fixtures
• Mop floors and vacuum carpets
• Polish taps, mirrors, and appliances until they sparkle

This isn’t just for the photos—it gives a subconscious “this place has been loved” vibe.

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🛋️ 3. Stage Thoughtfully

• Arrange furniture to highlight space, not squeeze it
• Add fresh pillows or throws to soften the room
• Place a bowl of fruit in the kitchen or fresh flowers in the lounge

You don’t need to hire a stager—just channel your inner Airbnb superhost.

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💡 4. Maximize Natural Light

• Open curtains and blinds fully
• Remove dark or heavy window dressings if possible
• Replace any dead lightbulbs with warm, bright ones
• Open the shutters

Photos crave light, and so do buyers.

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🎯 5. Focus on High-Impact Zones

• Entryway: This sets the tone—clean, bright, and welcoming
• Kitchen: Clear surfaces, hide bins, and wipe appliances
• Bathroom: Fold towels, remove toiletries, and close toilet lids
• Bedroom: Make the bed hotel-style, minimal and fresh

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🚫 6. Avoid These Rookie Mistakes

• Having pets in the frame 🐾
• Leaving personal photos on display
• Forgetting to hide cables or extension cords
• Allowing reflections in mirrors or windows
• Turn off the television

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📱 Bonus: Prep for Outdoor & Drone Shots

• Tidy the garden or balcony space
• Move bins, hoses, and vehicles out of sight
• Touch up exterior paint if necessary

Outdoor shots matter just as much—they often appear as the lead photo on listings.

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Final Thoughts 💬

The photography is your property’s audition. If it’s not done, don’t expect too many viewings. But, with just a few adjustments and a sharp eye, you can turn a decent listing into one that gets clicks, calls, and viewings. It’s your home’s moment in the spotlight—so make it shine!

One last thought – your photographer can give you help and advice BUT, and it’s a big BUT, they’re not going to do it for you when they arrive.

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