A clean, well-prepped home photographs significantly better — and sells faster. This is the definitive room-by-room checklist our team uses before every R360° shoot. Most single-family homes take about 2–3 hours to fully prep; plan for a bit more if you’re staging multiple rooms from scratch.
Declutter Every Room
Remove personal items, excess furniture, and countertop clutter. Buyers need to visualize themselves in the space. Even a single extra chair can make a room feel cramped in photos. Many agents also ask sellers to put away personal photos and other identifying items for privacy before the shoot.
Deep Clean Surfaces and Windows
Smudged windows kill natural light shots. Clean mirrors, wipe down countertops, and vacuum floors the morning of the shoot. Shiny surfaces reflect light beautifully and add perceived square footage.
Turn On All Lights
Replace any burnt bulbs before shoot day. Our HDR process blends multiple exposures, but consistent warm lighting inside helps color balance and reduces editing time — which means faster delivery for you.
Stage Key Focal Points
Add a bowl of fruit to the kitchen island. Place fresh towels in bathrooms. Set the dining table with simple place settings. Small staging touches add life without looking overdone.
Curb Appeal Matters
Mow the lawn, sweep the driveway, remove trash bins and hoses from view. The exterior shot is the first image buyers see in MLS — it determines whether they click through or keep scrolling.
Room-by-Room Day-Of Checklist
- All lights on, ceiling fans off
- Toilet seats down
- Cars out of the driveway and garage
- Pets and their items out of the frame
- Window blinds at consistent heights
- Personal photos and mail put away
Planning Aerial or Twilight Coverage?
If your package includes drone coverage, double-check for anything you’d rather not have visible from above (pools, side yards, neighboring properties) — see our drone photography rules guide for what’s involved. Prepping for a twilight shoot ahead of an open house? Our open house photography tips cover the rest of that timeline.
Avoid These Common Prep Mistakes
Even experienced sellers make avoidable mistakes before a shoot — see our 7 real estate photography mistakes San Diego agents make for the full list.
Book your shoot at r360state.com and we’ll send you this full prep guide the moment you confirm.
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