Getting Ready

Welcome Homeowners

Download our printable version of this getting ready page equipped with a checklist to ensure your home is ready on the day of your appointment.

Download 'Getting Ready' Guide

Make the First Impression Count

One of the most important aspects of selling your home is preparing for your appointment with Key Realty Media. Great media requires teamwork and cooperation. Let us make it count and provide stunning visuals for buyers by ensuring your home is ready.

The success of your appointment depends largely on YOU and your preparation. To create the best media we need all homes to be 100% “show” ready when we arrive. The following information below provides a checklist to organize every room in your home. We will do our part; now we ask that you help by getting your home ready!

Quick Tips For Homeowners

Tip 1: The house should be 100% ready when we arrive!

For the best quality media, our Videographers must be able to move freely from one room to the next. Therefore, it is important that your home is 100% “show ready” for your appointment.

Tip 2: What we will do?
  • Adjust blinds and lighting for best possible exposure
  • Close all toilet seats in bathrooms
Tip 3: What we will NOT do.
  • Make beds, clean, dust, or declutter
  • Move or handle pets and pet items
  • Touch personal hygiene items (shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant, towels, combs/brushes, etc.)
  • “Photoshop” vehicles, walls, power lines, wall pictures, cords, etc
Tip 4: Can our pets be in the home?

We love our pets here and although we would love to play with your fur kids, we must ask that you have your pets in crates or places in a room with the door closed for safety measures. Our Videographers thank you!

Tip 5: Can any other contractors be onsite with you while you are shooting?

While we would like to be open to working around other contractors, it would inhibit our ability to provide the best quality media of your home if any other contractors were present. We ask that no one else is at the home while we are filming please!

Tip 6: How long will the appointment take?

Over the years we have developed ways to film homes while maximizing efficiency. This allows you to enjoy more of your day while allowing our Videographers to serve more clients. Here are the allotted appointment times based on the square footage of your home:

  • 1,000-2,000 Sq. Ft. – 20-40 minute appointment
  • 2,000-3,500 Sq. Ft. – 30-60 minute appointment
  • 3,500-5,000 Sq. Ft. – 45-90 minute appointment
  • 5,000+ Sq. Ft. – 1+ hour appointment

General Tips

  • Thoroughly clean whole house (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean countertops, clean windows). Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON
  • Replace all burned out light bulbs
  • Use bulbs of the same temperature (ALL incandescent or ALL compact fluorescent)
  • Turn all ceiling fans OFF
  • Turn all TVs OFF
  • Turn all computer screens OFF
  • Open blinds/window treatments to let in outside light
  • Make all beds
  • Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring
  • Place all shoes/jackets in closets

Exterior Space

CURB APPEAL- FRONT

THE FRONT EXTERIOR IS USUALLY THE FIRST PHOTO BUYERS SEE
  • Front door/Garage door closed
  • Remove cars from driveway and front of home
  • Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)
  • Remove empty planters
  • Sweep off debris on walkway/driveway/porch
  • Remove visible water hoses
  • Remove trash cans

CURB APPEAL – BACK

THE BACK YARD SHOULD BE AN OASIS TO RELAX
  • Mow yard and pull weeds
  • Clean porch of leaves and debris
  • Tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions
  • Put away kid’s toys, balls, frisbees, etc.
  • Remove visible water hoses
  • Clean pool
  • Turn on water features

Interior Space

KITCHEN

OFTEN THE MAIN FOCAL POINT OF POTENTIAL BUYERS
  • Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc.
  • Leave out max of one small appliance (ex. coffee maker)
  • Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
  • Remove hand towels and small rugs
  • Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
  • Remove dishes from sink; place in dishwasher

DINING ROOM

ALLOW BUYERS TO IMAGINE A NICE FAMILY MEA
  • Clear table; dust and polish the table top
  • Use decorative place setting if available
  • Feature one center piece such as a bouquet of flowers
  • Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
  • Remove child seats/booster chairs

LIVING OR FAMILY ROOM

THE SPACE TO RELAX & SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY
  • Arrange/rearrange furniture to give room maximum space
  • Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.
  • De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth
  • Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
  • Remove kid’s toys
  • Pet items/toys put away

BEDROOMS

REST FOR YOU AND GUESTS
  • Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available
  • Press bed linens and bed skirts
  • Clear nightstands of all personal items
  • Store away phone/tablet charging cables
  • Remove all clutter from top of dressers
  • Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

BATHROOMS

TO BE SPA-LIKE, THE BATHROOM MUST BE CLEAR OF ALL PERSONAL ITEMS
  • Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.
  • Put toilet seats down
  • Close closet doors
  • Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs
  • Remove dirty towels – leave out only new, unused towels
  • Remove floor mats

PETS

PETS ARE LOVING BUT THEIR PRESENCE SHOULD BE MINIMIZED
  • Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet
  • Place pet beds/toys in pantry or closet
  • Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair
  • Contain pets in hidden crate (move to garage or unfinished space in basement)
  • Clear back yard of pet waste