HIDE STUFF!
If you don’t have much time, you can temporarily hide things in places we won’t shoot: in closets, cabinets, and drawers, in the laundry room, in the garage, in unfinished basement areas, in the attic, behind the shower curtain, and under the bed. This usually takes less than two hours. (This won’t work for showings however, because people will look in these spaces).

DECLUTTER 
When you have time, get a head start on moving and box up all the little things you don’t really need.  Make space in your closets and take out things you won’t be wearing soon.   This doesn’t have to be done for the shoot, but it’s something to start working on for showing your home.

REMOVE PHOTOS & SMALL NICKNACKS 
Remove personal photos & put away cute items, stuffed animals etc. The aim is to remove things so that prospective buyers can imagine their own things in the house. Shelves should have only one or two large decorative ornaments. Remove all the small nicknacks as they are too small to show well in a photo.

WOULD IT LOOK GOOD IN A PHOTO?
Don’t just put things away, think about whether they will look good in a photo. As a guideline, imagine each room in your house as a showroom in a store. Yes, normally the trash can is in the kitchen, but does it need to be in the photo?

REMOVE PERSONAL ITEMS FROM BATHROOM
Hide all personal items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soaps, shampoos, razors, tissue boxes. Remove trashcans, plungers, toilet bowl scrubbers etc. Remove small decorations on counters. Leave one or two larger decorations (plants, vases).

CLEAR SIDE TABLES AND SURFACES IN BEDROOMS AND OFFICE 
Hide bedside clocks, books, glasses, medicines, tissues, phone, etc.

CLEAR OFF COUNTERS IN KITCHEN
Store away coffee makers, toasters, cutting boards, knives, towel rolls, etc. Also remove magnets and papers from fridge. Leave one or two large decorative pieces.

PUT AWAY REMOTES
Put away coasters and magazines, etc. in the living room and family room.

CHILDREN’S TOYS
Some toys are OK in the children’s bedroom or toy room, but if you have toys in the living room, or other rooms of the house, it is best to store them away somewhere. Boxing up toys your child doesn’t often play with gets a head start on moving!