Selling a home can feel overwhelming. Trust us, we’ve been there. After working in thousands of homes, we know even the most organized sellers find themselves tidying until the very last second. You’re not alone. We made this guide to walk you through the process and share exactly how to get the best results.
Our goal is to help your home make a strong first impression and show buyers why it’s the one.
How we capture your home
Still Photography
Shot on a DSLR with a wide-angle lens for bright, crisp images. Several angles per room so buyers get the full sense of each space. Prefer to keep a room out of the photos? Just tell us (and your agent).
3D Virtual Tours
A 360° camera scans each room and stitches an interactive walkthrough. Everything needs to stay exactly in place between scans (window coverings, doors, cabinets, furniture) so each space aligns perfectly.
Aerial Media
FAA-licensed drone photos, video, and 360° panoramas that show off the home, lot size, and neighborhood. Clear the yard of clutter, bins, toys, and vehicles so your landscaping shines.
During photos and tours, we’ll ask you, your family, and pets to step out so we can move quickly. It doesn’t take long!
Your room-by-room checklist
It looks long, but you’ve probably tackled most of it already. It’s really just a friendly reminder. The more you check off, the smoother your photo day (and your showings) will go. Take it one room at a time. You’ve got this!
Tap items to check them off. We’ll show the exterior list for your season. Your progress is saved on this device.
Keep your family and valuables private
Your listing photos go online for anyone to see, and they stay there. A few minutes of prep keeps your family’s details private and your valuables safe.
Photos & names of your family
Take down framed photos of yourself and your children, and any decor with names on it — nursery letters, monograms, jerseys. Listing photos live online for anyone to see, so keeping identifiers private protects your family.
Secure your valuables
Before photo day, move jewelry, watches, cash, and small electronics somewhere out of sight. We never photograph inside drawers, cabinets, or closets, so those are perfect.
Prescriptions & documents
Tuck away medications, mail, bills, and anything with your name, address, or account numbers. These details can slip into a wide shot without anyone noticing.
Firearms & keys
Store any firearms safely and out of frame, along with spare keys, garage remotes, and written access codes. Buyers study these photos closely.
Don't reveal your routine
Take down calendars, schedules, and work IDs, and close any open screens. A listing shouldn't tell a stranger where you'll be and when.
Think like a stranger
Everything in your photos is visible to the whole internet, indefinitely. If you wouldn't hand it to a stranger, keep it out of frame.
Why it matters
Countertops
Clearing kitchen counters does two things: it creates a cleaner, more modern look, and it keeps the kitchen from looking like it lacks storage.
Fans & space heaters
Practical, yes. On camera they can hint at poor airflow or heating issues, so removing them keeps the focus on the home's real features.
Pets
We love them too! But not every buyer does. Tucking away beds, dishes, litter boxes, and toys lets everyone picture themselves in the space.
Dust & details
We love close-ups of the special touches: upgraded lighting, cabinetry, unique hardware. A quick dusting helps them photograph at their best.
Shower curtains
Leave them half open. It shows off your fixtures and tile while hiding personal items, and keeps the room feeling open and inviting.
The goal
Every suggestion helps your home look its best and appeal to all buyers. Clean, neutral, distraction-free spaces photograph beautifully and help buyers picture themselves there.
A few final instructions
Use your storage spaces
We never photograph inside drawers or cabinets, so use them to stash anything you'd rather keep out of frame.
Downsize ahead of time
Sell or donate what you're not keeping before the appointment. You're moving anyway, and it makes the home look more spacious.
Don't overlap appointments
Please don't schedule cleaners, landscapers, or contractors the same day. They often run long and delay the shoot. Wrap up prep beforehand.
Give yourself time
Prep always takes longer than expected. If you won't be ready, we're glad to reschedule, even the night before or morning of, with no fee. A few extra days can save weeks on the market.
Keep an eye on the weather
We shoot rain or shine, inside and out. But if rough weather's coming and you'd rather wait for better light, just let us know.
Selling your home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make, and what buyers see online shapes whether they walk through the door. Homes that aren’t well prepared often sit longer. The prep feels inconvenient sometimes. But a well-presented home photographs better, draws stronger offers, and closes with less friction. This phase is temporary; the effort you put in now pays off.
What happens next
Our standard turnaround is about 12 hours. We never want to be the reason your listing is delayed. All finished products are emailed to your REALTOR®.
Questions or concerns before your appointment? Share them with your agent. We work closely with local REALTORS®and are happy to adjust. Invoices are emailed after the shoot; we accept credit card, cash, check, and Venmo (@roisumresidential).