Virtual tours show potential buyers a 360-degree view of the interior of your home or business allowing them to narrow their search conveniently from their personal computer. Since potential buyers will be sorting through several websites, photos, and virtual tours throughout this process, it is important to understand that your home or business looks different through the lens of a camera than in person.

Just as you would prepare for an open house, prepare for your virtual tour shoot by removing clutter. Move personal belongings out of sight to maximize the space of your home and depersonalize it enough to allow potential buyers to imagine them living there.

Next, give your home a good, thorough cleaning. Since cameras often capture more than the eye can see it is important to spend some time cleaning your home. Areas that are often overlooked during the cleaning process include windows and stainless steel appliances. Be sure to keep them streak free and clean to ensure the best photo.

Here is some other suggestion to look your best:

Outdoors:

• Spruce up your garden and lawn; trim shrubbery if necessary.
• Yard and patio should be neat; outdoor furniture should be in good shape.
• Mow the lawn; make sure the driveway & entryway are free of clutter
    (toys, bikes, garbage cans, etc.) park vehicles elsewhere. 
• Winter – keep the sidewalks cleared of snow.

Living Areas:
• Remove clutter and tidy up the shelves and table tips.
• Remove excess furniture to make rooms look larger (dog crates, tray tables, etc.).
• Replace burnt out light bulbs; (the photographer will need light in most rooms).
• Vacuum, clean the windows and surfaces.
• Recycle old magazines and newspapers that take up extra space.
• Get layout and style ideas from home and design magazines.
• Limit seasonal decorations.

Kitchen:
• Clean off kitchen counters and hide everyday items, such as kitchen utensils, toasters,
    hand soap and magnets on the fridge.
• Make sure dirty/clean dishes are out of the sink and put away.
• Empty the garbage can.

Bathrooms:
• Place toiletries and cleaning products in cabinets or closets. 
• Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored away.
• Close toilet lid and empty the garbage.
• Clean mirrors & glass surfaces.
• Hang towels neatly from towel bar.

Overall/General:
• Clean floors and surfaces look best in photos.
• Check the basics around the house (inside & out). It takes a minute to make sure the house
    is clutter-free and all is in order.
• Turn on as many lights as you can when the photographer arrives.
• Try not to be in the room the photographer is photographing as you may end up in the photo.

The photographer cannot:
• Move furniture
• Clean or dust
• Move garbage
• Pick-up/move clutter (toys, dishes, dog toys, etc.)

The home MUST be ready for the photographer when he/she arrives. Upon arrival our photographer can wait no longer than 5 minutes for additional home preparations. If a wait longer than this must happen we will have to move on to our next scheduled appointment and the virtual tour will be rescheduled. If this happens a rescheduling fee of $20.00 WILL APPLY.

Thanks you for your cooperation! If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 517-486-4209 or e-mail us via hal@toursdforce.com