Preparing For Your Virtual Tour

A tidy home shows best; a first impression is a lasting impression. Clear the clutter. Real estate agents say buyers won't purchase a home they cannot see. If your home has too much furniture, overflowing closets, cluttered kitchen and bathrooms or lots of family photos or collectibles on display, potential buyers won't be able to see your home. Get rid of anything you don't need or use. Store boxes in the garage or rent some off-site storage space if that's what it takes to clear out your home.

Homebuyers want to see how large and open your house is. Normal, everyday clutter such as shoes, toys, table dressing, etc. may detract from your house. Virtually every room, wall, door, ceiling and floor can be seen in the Virtual Tour; the rule of thumb when preparing your house for a virtual tour is to hide everything. Since you will be moving soon anyway, now may be the perfect time to start boxing up items that you do not use daily and will not be missed. For security reasons, hide, or pack away your valuables such as jewelry, antiques and other highly precious belongings

Normally, the photography portion of the tour requires 1 to 1-½ hours to complete; if your house has a lockbox, you do not need to be home. By law, our photographers cannot straighten up or move personal items. Please have your house presentable for the tour; having to reschedule a photo session will result in additional charges.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the photographer, Jacalyn Staten at

903-816-2402.

Typical scenes include: Front Yard, Living Room, Family Room, Kitchen, Dining Room, Bedrooms and Back Yard. Small bathrooms, closets and garages are normally not photographed. Assist the photographer in showing off the personality and features of your house by considering the following preparations:

THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME

Remove cars from the driveway and from in front of home
Remove or roll up garden hoses in front and back yards
Pick up children's toys, pet bowls and yard equipment
Yard areas need to be neatly manicured and clutter-free
Have pools, spas and Jacuzzis looking great with patio furniture displayed in an inviting manner
Sweep the porch and front walkway

REMOVE CLUTTER IN AREAS THAT WILL BE VISIBLE

Clear coffee and end tables of magazines and newspapers
Remove pet bowls, beds and toys.
Decorator touches such as fresh flowers and plants are attractive in filming. Remember, sometimes less is more.

KITCHENS

Clear refrigerator of magnets, pictures, etc.
Clear countertops
No dishes in the sink
Hide trash cans, dish cloths, soap bottles

BATHS

Have towels neatly arranged or removed
Clear countertops
Hide trash can

BEDROOMS

Neatly make beds
Put away clothes hampers
Remove clutter from dressers and end tables

FIREPLACE/HEARTH

Remove ashes and have the fireplace well lit, if possible. It is usually the focal point of the room.
Remove clutter from mantel

GENERAL

Replace burned out light bulbs
Turn off ceiling fans
Turn on all lights including accent and reading lights (if you plan to be away all day, we will turn on/off the lights)
Open drapes and blinds

The above are only suggestions. We will always try to photograph your home in the best possible way to ensure the highest quality virtual tour.

Thank you for your cooperation, we look forward to working with you.

A Note About Pets:

Let the photographer know if you have a pet. If at all possible, please secure your pet in its pet carrier, or maybe your pet could stay with a neighbor.