✈️
Pre-Listing Checklist
Your house, photo-ready in one day
📸 Complete before photo day
Clear all countertops. Everything off. Toaster, knife block, mail, fruit bowl. All of it.
Clean appliance surfaces. Wipe down fridge, oven, microwave, dishwasher fronts.
Hide dish soap, sponges, and drying racks. Under the sink for now.
Remove everything from the fridge door. No magnets, no kids' drawings, no menus.
Empty the sink completely. No dishes, no standing water.
Clean the floors. Sweep and mop. Get the corners.
Declutter every surface. Coffee tables, end tables, shelves. Less is more.
Dust everything. Ceiling fans, blinds, shelves, baseboards, light fixtures.
Fluff and arrange pillows and throws. Make it look styled, not lived-in.
Remove personal photos and memorabilia. Buyers need to imagine themselves here.
Hide all cords and cables. TV cords, chargers, power strips. Out of sight.
Vacuum carpets and rugs. Vacuum lines photograph well.
Open all blinds and curtains. Natural light is everything in photos.
Make every bed. Hotel-style. Tight sheets, matching pillows, clean comforter. No wrinkles.
Clear nightstands. One lamp, maybe one book. That's it.
Empty the floor. No shoes, no clothes, no hampers visible.
Organize closets. Buyers WILL open them. Neat hangers, folded clothes, nothing on the floor.
Remove kids' clutter. Toys in bins, art off the walls. Keep it clean.
Clear all countertops. No toothbrushes, razors, or products. Bare counters only.
Put out fresh white towels. Folded or rolled. White reads clean in photos.
Scrub the shower and tub. No soap scum, no hair, no product bottles visible.
Close the toilet lid. Always. No exceptions.
Clean mirrors until they sparkle. Photographers notice. Buyers notice.
Remove trash cans and bath mats. For photos, take them out entirely.
Mow the lawn and edge the walkways. First impression is the front yard.
Clear the porch and front entry. One welcome mat, maybe one plant. That's it.
Hide trash cans and yard tools. In the garage or behind the house.
Clean the front door. Wipe it down. Polish the hardware. This is the money shot.
Power wash driveway and walkways if they need it. Stains photograph badly.
Move vehicles out of the driveway. Completely clear for photos.
Clear the garage floor. Buyers want to see space, not storage.
Organize shelving and wall storage. Neat and tidy beats stuffed and chaotic.
Sweep the floor. Oil stains? Hit them with degreaser.
Replace any burnt-out light bulbs. Every. Single. One. Bright rooms sell.
Turn on every light for photos. Overhead, lamps, under-cabinet. All of them.
Remove pet items. Bowls, beds, toys, litter boxes. Not everyone loves pets.
Take out all trash. Every room. Empty the cans and remove the bags.
Set the thermostat to 72. Comfortable house feels bigger.
Leave the house. You, the kids, the pets. Photographer works best alone.
Pro Tip
The goal is not "clean." The goal is empty surfaces, maximum light, and zero distractions. Buyers scroll through photos in seconds. Every detail either helps or hurts. Make every frame count.
The #1 Mistake Sellers Make
Leaving "just a few things" on the counters. One toaster leads to "well, might as well leave the coffee maker." Before you know it, the kitchen looks lived-in instead of move-in ready. Clear it all. No exceptions.
