If you're planning to sell your home, you'll need top-tier listing photos to stand out from the crowd. Our real estate agents can help you get them—but first, you'll need to prepare. Here are some things we recommend getting out of the way before the day of your shoot.

• Depersonalize
  Your listing photos are meant to give buyers a glimpse at what your home looks like, prompting them to ponder whether they could see themselves living there. Taking down personal items like family photos and mementos helps sell them on that idea. Get a head start on packing by boxing those items up and storing them in your closet, basement, or garage.
  
  
• Put Away Shoes and Coats
  Since it only takes a few hours to take good listing photos, there's no reason to leave your shoes and jackets out. They not only add unnecessary visual noise to the pictures but may also make buyers think your home lacks enough storage space for daily living.
  
  
• Deep Clean Your Kitchen and Bathroom
  Kitchens and bathrooms are often big selling points for our Victoria homes for sale, but potential buyers will quickly notice any dirt and grime in photos of them. Give these areas a thorough cleaning before pictures are taken of them. Wipe down every surface, clear away any clutter, and put out clean sets of matching towels and washcloths if you have them. 
  
  
• Make the Beds
  Covering the beds in each bedroom with clean, neat bedding will minimize distractions in your photos. If possible, use bedding sets that match the other colours in the room. If not, go with neutrals like black, white, or grey. Arrange the pillows neatly at the head of the bed and put away any mismatched throw pillows and blankets or stuffed animals.
  
  
• Remove Pet Items
  If you have any pets in your home, put away their toys, beds, and bowls before your listing photos are taken. In our time holding open houses, we've found that many buyers are turned off by signs of pets on a property. They fear the animals may have damaged the property or left an unpleasant scent behind. Some people may even worry that visiting the property will set off their allergies. You should disclose the presence of pets if you're asked, but otherwise, it's best to avoid the issue altogether.
  
  
• Fix Up Your Landscaping
  Your photographer will also take pictures of your outdoor spaces, so make sure they get some attention. Mow the grass, trim the bushes and trees, and clear away dead plants in your flowerbeds. Put your trash cans, kids' toys, and other unused objects away so they won't distract from the beauty of the landscape. Arrange your patio furniture in an inviting way, clustering seats around a table or fire pit. If you have a pool, don't forget to clean it!
  
  
• Check the Lights
  You can't take great listing photos without proper lighting. Before your photographer arrives, walk around your home and check every light you have. Do they all turn on? Are they all bright enough to be useful? Fix any problems you notice as soon as possible so you can get right to work during your scheduled photo shoot.

Getting great listing photos is just one step on the road to selling your home. You can trust our team to have your back from start to finish. Contact us today to partner with one of our real estate experts and set yourself up for success.