Before you book listing photos, ask one question: will a buyer understand the rooms, or spend the whole time looking at your things?

Preparing a home for photography in St. John’s isn’t about making it look like nobody lives there. It’s about letting the space speak clearly. A tidy photograph should give someone a fair idea of the layout, light and condition they’ll see at a showing.

Start with a plan, not a shopping trip

Walk through the house with your agent before buying accessories or moving heavy furniture. Decide which rooms need attention and where temporarily removed belongings will go. A few organised evenings usually make more sense than trying to finish everything while the photographer is arriving.

Separate presentation from repairs. Cleaning a window helps someone see the room. Moving a sofa in front of a damaged wall creates a different problem. If you’re unsure what needs fixing, start with my guide to repairs before selling in St. John’s.

Kitchen: clear the work areas

Put away dish racks, drying cloths, loose paperwork and most small appliances. Leave enough visible counter space to show how the kitchen works. Clean the sink, cabinet fronts and appliance surfaces, then check what reflects in glass and stainless steel.

Don’t pack the everyday coffee maker somewhere you can’t find it. Use a labelled tote for photo-day items so getting the house back into normal use is simple.

Living and dining rooms: show the walking routes

Remove spare chairs, overflowing baskets and furniture that blocks a doorway. Arrange seating so the relationship between the rooms is easy to understand. Keep the main paths clear without forcing an impractical arrangement just for the picture.

Check the dining table, television stand and window ledges. Small piles of belongings are easy to overlook when you live around them every day.

Bedrooms and bathrooms: keep it straightforward

Make the beds, straighten linens and clear bedside tables. Put laundry in a proper storage area. In bathrooms, remove toothbrushes, prescriptions, personal products and cleaning supplies from visible surfaces. Clean mirrors and shower glass.

Store valuables, family documents and anything with personal information before photography. Look beyond the obvious paperwork: calendars, children’s certificates and computer screens can also reveal details you may not want online.

Entrance, driveway and exterior: prepare the arrival

In St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Paradise or CBS, the entrance needs to make sense as part of everyday life. Clear shoes and coats from the main path. Tidy the steps, porch and visible yard areas. Move bins and loose tools when practical, and discuss vehicle placement with the photographer.

If weather interrupts the exterior session, decide with your agent whether to photograph indoors first and return outside. Don’t make unsafe last-minute attempts to reach high windows or slippery areas.

Do one final walk-through

• Open blinds or curtains as the photographer recommends.
• Check working lights and tell the photographer about any unusual controls.
• Remove pet bowls and toys temporarily; arrange a comfortable place for pets.
• Check mirrors for reflections of clutter and people.
• Make sure each room is ready before the session starts.

CREA’s home-preparation discussion also emphasises planning for photographs and showings. My checklist above is a practical preparation approach, not a promise of a particular selling price or timeline.

Keep the showing standard realistic

Once photos are finished, choose a short routine you can repeat before showings: clear counters, tidy the entrance, make beds and check bathrooms. Your listing should represent the home people will actually visit.

Getting ready to sell? Contact Ryan Elliott or call 709-687-7726. Let’s walk through your home and decide what should be ready before photography, with a preparation plan that fits your time and budget.