Preparation

Properly preparing your home for photographs will go a long way in setting you up for a successful sale.

IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE, DO THESE THINGS:

Replace all burned out light bulbs both inside and outside the house. Try to keep all the bulbs within a room the same type, LED, incandescent - the yellow/orange bulbs are not a good choice for interior lighting. 
Hide the clutter.

GENERAL PREP WORK:

Remove excess furnishings and knick-knacks from rooms. Large amounts of furniture and decorations do not generally photograph well and can distract from the homes features and can potentially make a room look smaller in photos. 
Pick up throw rugs and runners in entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms so that the floor can be clearly seen. 
Wash the windows (or have them washed).
Vacuum and/or mop the floors.

HOME EXTERIOR:

Remove all cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles etc. from the driveways and do not park directly in front of the house. 
Move garbage and recycling cans out of sight. 
Remove all garden tools, hoses, and clutter. 
Pick up after your pets.
Mow the grass, rake up leaves and debris, pull weeds and remove any dead vegetation. 
If you are feeling ambitious, plant some fresh flowers in empty planters and pots. 
Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and patios.

LIVING & FAMILY ROOM:

Remove newspapers and magazines and put away books. 
Tuck the remote controls in a draw to get them out of sight. 
Conceal exposed cables and cords as best that you can. 
Remove clutter, personal photos, the kids toys, etc. from bookshelves, tables and the floor.
Dust and vacuum. Dust can show in a photograph. 
Wash any glass surfaces including table tops, cabinet doors, and windows. Smudges and dirt on glass will be noticeable in the photographs.
Straighten pillows and throws.

KITCHEN:

Put small appliances, knife blocks paper towels, and kitchen gadgets away and off the counters .
Remove photos, notes, papers, and magnets from the refrigerator. 
Clean the major appliances refrigerator, oven, stove top, range hood, and dishwasher. 
Wipe down the counter tops. 
Don't leave any dirty dishes in the sink or sponges, dish towels, dish soap, or the like near the sink.
Move trash cans out of site.

DINING ROOM:

Dust the furniture and vacuum the floors. 
Setting the table with nice dinnerware, napkins, and a centerpiece can give a homey feel. 
If you have a China cabinet, make sure things are straight and tidy inside.

BEDROOMS:

Make the beds neatly; straighten the bed spread and pillows.
Tidy up, dust, and vacuum. 
Pick up and put away clothes and shoes. 
Remove items from bedside tables books, magazines, pictures, clock radios, etc.
In the kids rooms, put excess toys out of sight, take posters and drawings off the walls, and straighten up overall.

BATHROOMS:

Clear off the counter tops; toiletries, tissues, hair products, just about everything should be put away. 
Remove personal care products and children's bath toys from the shower and tub.  
Make sure towels are folded neatly and are straight on the towel bars. 
Close the lid on the toilets.  
Mirrors and shower doors should be clean. 
Hide away the toilet brush and plunger.

SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS:

Make sure they are clean. Sweep dirt off the bottom and skim off the debris floating on top.
Remove the cover, pool sweep, floating chlorine dispenser, and pool toys. 
Straighten lounge chairs, put away cleaning tools, and set up the patio umbrella if you have one. 
Turn on pool light(s), waterfalls, and spa bubbles. Verify several days prior to your shoot that these are working in case you need to schedule repairs. 
If you want to add that extra touch, roll up some colorful pool towels and place them on the chairs and set up a pitcher of lemonade with some glasses on a table.

ODDS AND ENDS: