Hello!

We are the APi Team and we look forward to shooting your listing. We know it is a lot of work and can get overwhelming when prepping your house for a shoot. To help you out, we’ve made this page for you to refer to and we hope it helps!

Tips and tricks!

APi360.ca can help you get your home ready for the best photos.  Great media is really important in our web based world, and we can deliver the best media for your listing.

Why do I have to leave while you shoot?

We ask that homeowners head out when we arrive for multiple reasons.

1. It allows us to stay on schedule if we are able to concentrate and shoot at a steady pace.

2. We do a walkthrough the house when we arrive to ensure lights are all on and the house items are well placed before shooting. Often homeowners will accidentally move items, leave a mug, or lift a toilet lid while they’re home and having to watch for that while concentrating on angles while shooting can be difficult.

3. If more than photos has been booked, our team will often be working on multiple floors of your home at once so there isn’t anywhere to hide.

4. Homeowners will often get in shots without meaning to since we shoot very wide, if you happen to peak around a corner - you will get in the shot.

Prepping Exteriors

Outside of the house is your first chance to make an impression. Here are some suggestions to help you prep the exterior of your home so it makes a great first impact.

• Mow the lawn within 24 hours of the shoot if during summer or spring to get the optimal

Kitchen

• Clear countertops of small items (max 1-2 small staging items)

• Leave out max of 1-3 small appliances (showcase the best looking ones)

• Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.

• Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet

• Remove dishes from sink, place in dishwasher

• Replace Tea Towel with a clean one

• Put away dish cleaning supplies (sponge, scrub brushes, ect)

• Remove Pet Items

Dining Room

• Clear table, dust and polish the table top

• Use decorative place setting if available - neutral is best

• Feature one center piece such as a bouquet of flowers or beautiful bowl

• Straighten all chairs and space them evenly

• Remove child seats/booster chairs

• Clear all horizontal spaces - maximum of 1-2 decorative items

Family Room

• Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.

• De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than 3 items, including art)

• Clean interior of fireplace and re-paint if needed

• Fluff and arrange furniture pillows

• Artistically drape blanket (if unsure of how to do this we will help)

• Remove kid's toys

• Remove Pet Items

Offices

• Clear away paper work

• Unplug and hide cords if possible

• Ensure table lamps are working

• Put away personal identifying items (family photos, important paperwork, diplomas)

• Organize book shelfs - group like-sized books or organize based on colour

• Turn off monitors

Bedrooms

• Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available

• Press bed linens and bed skirts

• Clear nightstands of all personal items

• Ensure bedside lamps are working - same brand of light bulb in both if possible

• Store away phone/tablet charging cables

• Remove all clutter from top of dressers

• Remove family photos from walls

• Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

• Hide Hampers

• Ensure ceiling fan light bulbs are working

• Have ceiling fans OFF for the photoshoot - lights on - fan off

Kids Rooms

• Remove personalized names from walls

• Remove wall stickers/posters

• Remove diaper genies

• Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

• Remove cords if possible

• Ensure table and floor lamps are working

• Put away toys

Bathrooms

• Clear countertops completely of personal items. 

  Only leaving out fresh soap and clean decorative pieces

• 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 or put down clean new ones

• Stack towels neatly if on display

• Remove hanging items from back of doors

• Clean mirrors

• Put up a new fabric shower curtain if possible

Pets

• 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 or outside

• Clear back yard of pet waste/toys

• We love pets - and if your furry besties aren’t friendly with new people, it is better for them to not be home for the shoot if possible. Save your friend the stress.

Laundry Room

• Put away hampers

• Clear counters

• Put away detergent and fabric sheets

• Hide mops/brooms/ect

Quick Prep List for Showings

• Remove all animal items

• Clear countertops in Kitchen

• Empty Kitchen trash

• Remove all fridge magnets

• Remove coats/backpacks/shoes 

• Fold towels nicely on racks

• Remove personal hygiene items

• Empty bathroom trashes 

• Lower toilet lids

• Make beds and fluff pillows

• Put away clothes/laundry

• Remove cars from driveway

• Air freshener 

• Put away Toys

• Put away Pet Items

• Air Freshener

When we arrive to shoot, we usually do exteriors first. We love love looooove when we arrive to an empty driveway. Sometimes we are racing to beat the rain or make use of a cloud so a ready exterior is wonderful. Shade/overcast is our best friend for your exterior shots since we do a blue sky replacement on all photos.

If your realtor has booked a 360 Virtual Tour - the house has to be completely prepped. We cannot hide items from a 360 capture so please ensure that all rooms are prepped completely.

Please understand that we do not move items. We will make sure pillows and throws are looking beautiful, and we will put down toilet seat lids but we are not able to budget the time for moving multiple items. We really appreciate a well prepped house so we can stay on schedule for all clients.

Thanks for all of your hard work! We understand how difficult and emotional this whole scenario can be. Let your realtor know if you have any questions prior to your shoot with APi, we’d be happy to give any advice needed and let us know if we missed any helpful tips on our list!

See you soon!