How Do I Get My Davis County Home Ready for Photos and Showings?

If you want your Davis County home to make a strong first impression, start before the photographer arrives.

Photos and showings are where buyers decide whether your home feels worth the price. You don’t need your home to look perfect. You need it to look clean, bright, cared for, and easy for buyers to picture themselves living in.

The goal is simple:

Make buyers feel confident.

That means cleaning, decluttering, improving curb appeal, fixing obvious issues, and preparing each room so the home photographs well and shows well in person.

Todd Porter, known as Utah Todd, and Tammy Swain are real estate agents with SURE Group, brokered by Real Estate Essentials, helping sellers, buyers, military families, relocating families, and move-up homeowners in Davis County, the Wasatch Front, and Northern Utah.

Why Photos Matter So Much

Most buyers see your home online before they ever step inside.

That means your photos are your first showing.

If the home looks dark, cluttered, messy, or unfinished online, buyers may skip it. Even if the home is better in person, you may never get the chance to prove it.

Good photos help buyers notice:

· Natural light
· Room size
· Layout
· Flooring
· Kitchen condition
· Bathrooms
· Yard space
· Garage space
· Curb appeal
· Overall care

Bad photos make buyers hesitate.

And hesitation costs attention.

Step 1: Start With Curb Appeal

Buyers form an opinion before they walk through the door.

In Davis County neighborhoods, curb appeal matters because buyers often care about the way the home feels from the street.

Before photos and showings, focus on:

· Mow the lawn
· Edge the driveway and sidewalks
· Pull weeds
· Trim bushes
· Add fresh mulch
· Sweep the porch
· Wash the front door
· Clean exterior lights
· Remove yard clutter
· Put away hoses and tools
· Add simple flowers or planters

You don’t need to make the yard fancy.

You need it to look cared for.

Step 2: Clear the Kitchen Counters

The kitchen is one of the biggest rooms buyers judge.

For photos, less is better.

Remove:

· Extra appliances
· Dish soap
· Sponges
· Paper towels
· Mail
· Keys
· Vitamins
· Chargers
· Magnets from the fridge
· Trash cans
· Pet bowls

Leave only a few simple items, like a clean bowl of fruit or a small plant.

You want the kitchen to feel clean, open, and easy to use.

Step 3: Make Bathrooms Feel Fresh

Bathrooms do not need to be remodeled to show well.

They need to feel clean.

Before photos:

· Clear counters
· Remove toothbrushes
· Remove razors
· Hide shampoo bottles
· Clean mirrors
· Clean glass shower doors
· Replace old towels
· Close toilet lids
· Empty trash cans
· Freshen caulk if needed

A clean bathroom helps buyers feel like the home has been maintained.

An untidy bathroom does the opposite.

Step 4: Declutter Every Room

Clutter makes rooms feel smaller.

It also distracts buyers.

Walk through each room and remove anything that does not help the home show better.

Focus on:

· Extra furniture
· Laundry baskets
· Toys
· Paper piles
· Personal items
· Too many decorations
· Visible cords
· Storage bins
· Shoes near doors
· Items on nightstands

You don’t need to remove all personality.

Just create breathing room.

Step 5: Make Bedrooms Simple

Bedrooms should feel calm.

Before photos:

· Make every bed
· Use neutral bedding if possible
· Clear nightstands
· Remove laundry
· Put away personal items
· Open blinds
· Turn on lamps
· Remove extra chairs or clutter

If a bedroom is small, removing one piece of furniture can make a big difference.

Buyers need to understand the room quickly.

Step 6: Clean Windows and Let in Light

Light makes homes feel better.

Before photos and showings:

· Open blinds
· Clean windows
· Replace burned-out bulbs
· Turn on all lights
· Use the same bulb tone where possible
· Open curtains
· Remove heavy window coverings if they make rooms dark

Bright homes usually photograph better.

They also feel more inviting during showings.

Step 7: Handle Odors Before Listing

This is a big one.

Buyers may forgive outdated flooring.

They rarely ignore bad smells.

Before showings, check for:

· Pet odors
· Smoke smells
· Musty basement smells
· Trash odors
· Strong cooking smells
· Dirty laundry smells
· Overpowering air fresheners

Don’t cover odors with heavy sprays.

Clean the source.

Open windows when weather allows. Wash pet bedding. Empty trash. Clean carpets if needed. Make sure the home smells neutral.

Neutral is better than perfume.

Step 8: Fix Small Things Buyers Notice

Small repairs matter because buyers add them up.

Before listing, fix things like:

· Loose handles
· Burned-out bulbs
· Broken blinds
· Missing outlet covers
· Peeling paint
· Old caulk
· Leaky faucets
· Sticky doors
· Damaged trim
· Broken screens

These are not always expensive.

But they affect buyer confidence.

Step 9: Prepare the Garage and Storage Areas

Buyers in Davis County often care about storage.

That includes garages, basements, sheds, closets, and utility rooms.

Before showings:

· Organize boxes
· Clear walking paths
· Sweep the garage
· Remove trash
· Group tools neatly
· Show storage space
· Keep mechanical areas accessible

You don’t need the garage to look empty.

But buyers should be able to see how much space they’re getting.

Step 10: Get Pets Ready for Showings

Pets are part of life.

But they can distract buyers.

Before showings:

· Remove pet bowls
· Put away toys
· Clean litter boxes
· Remove pet beds when possible
· Vacuum pet hair
· Repair scratched doors if needed
· Take pets out during showings

Some buyers love pets.

Some don’t.

The home should be the focus.

Real-World Scenario: The Seller Who Took Photos Too Soon

A Davis County seller may be in a hurry to list.

They schedule photos before decluttering, cleaning windows, touching up paint, or cleaning the yard.

The photos look okay, but not great.

Buyers see cluttered counters, dark rooms, and unfinished details. The home gets fewer showings than expected.

That’s frustrating because the home may actually be a good home.

It just didn’t show that way online.

Real-World Scenario: The Seller Who Prepped First

Another seller takes a few days to prepare.

They clean, declutter, remove extra furniture, freshen landscaping, fix small repairs, and open up the rooms before photos.

The home looks brighter.

The photos feel cleaner.

Buyers understand the layout faster.

That seller usually starts with a stronger first impression.

And that matters.

Common Mistakes Sellers Make Before Photos

Mistake 1: Leaving too much on counters

Kitchen and bathroom counters should be mostly clear.

Counter clutter makes rooms feel smaller and less clean.

Mistake 2: Forgetting the outside

The front yard, porch, driveway, and entry matter.

Buyers see those first.

Mistake 3: Using heavy air fresheners

Strong scents can make buyers wonder what you’re hiding.

Clean and neutral is better.

Mistake 4: Leaving pets home during showings

Pets can distract buyers or make showings uncomfortable.

It’s better to remove them if possible.

Mistake 5: Not checking lighting

Dark rooms do not photograph well.

Open blinds, turn on lights, and replace burned-out bulbs before photos.

Davis County Seller Photo Checklist

Use this before photography day:

· Lawn mowed
· Porch swept
· Driveway clear
· Windows clean
· Lights working
· Blinds open
· Kitchen counters clear
· Bathroom counters clear
· Beds made
· Laundry hidden
· Trash cans removed
· Pet items put away
· Closets tidy
· Garage organized
· Personal items reduced
· Floors cleaned
· Sinks empty
· Mirrors cleaned
· Doors and trim checked
· Fresh landscaping touched up

This list is simple, but it works.

How Todd and Tammy Help Sellers Prepare

Todd Porter, known as Utah Todd, and Tammy Swain help Davis County sellers prepare before the home goes live.

That includes reviewing:

· Curb appeal
· Photo readiness
· Decluttering needs
· Repairs
· Lighting
· Room flow
· Buyer objections
· Showing strategy
· Pricing from current Wasatch Front MLS comps
· Marketing presentation

The goal is to help buyers see the home clearly.

Not guess.

Not get distracted.

Not wonder what’s wrong.

Just see the value.

FAQ: Getting Your Home Ready for Photos and Showings

How do I get my Davis County home ready for photos?

Start by cleaning, decluttering, improving curb appeal, clearing counters, opening blinds, turning on lights, organizing storage areas, and fixing obvious small repairs before the photographer arrives.

What should I remove before real estate photos?

Remove clutter, trash cans, pet bowls, personal items, paper piles, extra furniture, bathroom products, magnets, cords, laundry, and anything that distracts from the room.

Should I clean before every showing?

Yes. The home should feel clean and ready for each buyer. Focus on floors, counters, bathrooms, smells, beds, lighting, and the entry.

Do buyers care about closets and garages?

Yes. Davis County buyers often care about storage, garage space, basement space, and utility areas. Keep these spaces organized enough that buyers can see the room available.

Should pets be home during showings?

It is better if pets are not home during showings. Pets can distract buyers, create odor concerns, or make some buyers uncomfortable.

What matters most before showings?

Cleanliness, smell, lighting, curb appeal, clutter, and easy access matter most. Buyers should be able to focus on the home, not distractions.

Final Thoughts

Getting your Davis County home ready for photos and showings does not mean making it perfect.

It means making it easy to like.

Clean the home.

Clear the clutter.

Let in light.

Improve curb appeal.

Fix the obvious issues.

Make the home feel cared for.

That is what helps buyers feel confident when they see your home online and in person.

Todd Porter, known as Utah Todd, and Tammy Swain are real estate agents with SURE Group, brokered by Real Estate Essentials, helping sellers, buyers, military families, relocating families, and move-up homeowners in Davis County, the Wasatch Front, and Northern Utah.

Website: SUREUtah.com
Todd: 801-755-1882
Tammy: 602-350-5325
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]

Motto: “Real estate is not only an agent’s business, it’s everyone’s business.”