In the fast-paced Los Angeles real estate market, the first showing does not happen at the open house. It happens on the internet. According to recent industry data, nearly 97% of all homebuyers start their search online, meaning your listing photos are the single most critical factor in driving foot traffic. In 2026, high-definition real estate photography is unforgiving, and you never get a second chance to make that digital first impression.
We frequently work with executors in Pasadena and San Marino who are racing against the clock to get a property on the market. The estate sale might be over, and the valuable antiques sold, but the house often remains filled with the visual noise of forty years of living. This includes everything from half-empty cleaning bottles to wire hangers and dusty curtains. If you want to secure top dollar for the home, simply being tidy is not enough. You need to hit the Broom Clean standard to ensure buyers see the potential of the home rather than the clutter.
Key Takeaways
- Professional photography is the most critical step in marketing a home because nearly all modern buyers begin their search online.
- Exterior preparation requires removing all vehicles, trash cans, and garden hoses to ensure the hero shot highlights the architecture rather than the clutter.
- Kitchens and bathrooms must be cleared of daily essentials like toothbrushes and dish soap to create a spacious and sanitary appearance.
- Lighting is a key factor in listing photos, so sellers should replace all burned-out bulbs and open all blinds to maximize natural light.
- Depersonalizing the home by removing family photos and pet items allows potential buyers to visualize themselves living in the space.
Mastering the Exterior "Hero Shot"
The front exterior photo is generally the first picture a buyer notices, hence, the attractiveness of your house facade is essential. Before the photographer shows up, you have to make sure that the driveway and the front part of the house are totally free of clutter. It implies that all the cars should be moved down the street in a way that they don't appear in the frame at all. Also, trash cans, recycling bins, and any visible garden hoses should be hidden. These minor, functional items divert attention and spoil the balance of a luxury home.
Landscaping also plays a vital role in this initial impression. Even if you are not doing a full garden overhaul, you should sweep the walkways, remove dead foliage, and empty any planters that do not have thriving plants in them. If the home has a pool, remove the cover and skim the water so it looks inviting. The goal is to make the outdoor space look effortless and ready for entertaining.
Creating Space and Light Indoors
Real estate photographers use wide-angle lenses to make rooms look bigger, but these lenses also magnify clutter. A stack of old magazines on a coffee table might look cozy in person, but in a photo, it looks like a mess. To maximize the sense of space, consider removing small floor rugs. While they might feel decorative, they often chop up the visual flow of a room. Revealing the actual flooring, especially if it is hardwood, makes the floor plan appear larger and more cohesive.
Lighting is equally critical for a bright, airy look. Before the shoot, walk through every room and turn on all the lights. If you find any dim or burned-out bulbs, replace them before taking the pictures so the lighting is uniform. You should also open all curtains, sheers, and blinds. Natural light is the best "filter" for a home, and dirty windows can block that light. Taking the time to wash windows inside and out will make the entire property sparkle in high-resolution images.
The Kitchen: The Zero Clutter Rule
The kitchen is often the most scrutinized room in the house, so it requires a strict "less is more" approach. You should clear the countertops completely. Even daily items like soap dispensers, paper towel rolls, dish sponges, and toasters should be stowed away in cabinets. Leaving a single stylish item, like a bowl of fruit or a high-end coffee maker, is acceptable, but everything else must go.
You must also depersonalize the space. Clear the front of the refrigerator of all magnets, postcards, and family photos. These items create visual noise that distracts buyers from noticing the quality of the appliances or the cabinetry. Finally, ensure the sink is empty and the garbage cans are hidden in a pantry or closet. The kitchen should look like a model home, not a lived-in space.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms: Hotel-Level Details
In the bedrooms, the bed is the focal point. Bedding should be free of wrinkles and discoloration. Make the beds neatly, tucking in sheets or hanging them straight, and fluff pillows so they look crisp and inviting. Remove all personal belongings from nightstands, including phone chargers, tissue boxes, and family photos. You want the buyer to imagine their own life in the sanctuary of the bedroom, not feel like they are intruding on yours.
Bathrooms require a similar level of scrutiny. Clear the countertops of all personal toiletries, including toothbrushes, makeup, and hairbrushes. Remove waste baskets, plungers, and toilet brushes from the floor. A crucial but often overlooked detail is to ensure all toilet seats are put down. Remove old or unmatched towels and floor mats to show off the tile work. A clean, spa-like atmosphere allows buyers to focus on the fixtures and condition of the room.
Handling Pets and Final Logistics
As much as we love our pets, there should be no evidence of them in your listing photos. Remove food and water bowls, pet beds, cat towers, and toys from view. Ideally, pets should be taken out of the house during the photography session to ensure they do not accidentally wander into a shot.
If the physical labor of clearing the property feels like too much, you do not have to do it alone. Our estate cleanout services are designed exactly for this moment. We handle the final clear-out of everything remaining in the home, ensuring the property is completely empty and swept out.
Need Your Estate Cleared for Real Estate Photography?
With Hughes Estate, you can schedule a professional cleanout and get your property completely empty and camera-ready in as little as 48 hours.
FAQs
1. What does "broom clean" mean for real estate photography?
Broom clean in this context means the home is decluttered, surfaces are wiped down, floors are vacuumed, and all personal items like toiletries and mail are removed from sight to create a neutral, camera-ready environment.
2. Should I remove rugs for real estate photos?
Yes, removing small floor rugs and mats is often recommended because it reveals the continuous flooring underneath, which makes rooms appear larger and cleaner in wide-angle photographs.
3. Do I need to empty the garage for photos?
Garages are not typically photographed unless they are a custom feature, so they are often a great place to temporarily store boxes and clutter while the rest of the house is being shot.
4. How do I prepare my yard for real estate photos?
You should mow the lawn, remove dead plants, sweep walkways, and hide visually distracting items like trash bins, hoses, and cars to boost the property's curb appeal.
5. What should I do with my pets during the photoshoot?
It is best to remove pets from the home or keep them in a room that will not be photographed, and you must hide all pet evidence like bowls, beds, and litter boxes to appeal to all buyers.
