TAKING SELLER PHOTOS
These instructions provide a detailed guide for conducting a virtual property walkthrough, using photos and video to accurately represent the house and neighborhood. The goal is to empower potential buyers to make informed purchase decisions without needing an in-person visit.
PHOTO INSTRUCTIONS
Using a smart phone or camera, take photos to showcase the property from many different angles of the exterior and interior and also to show the nature of any work needed.
  • Only 1 picture is needed of the same thing/angle. Delete the duplicates.
  • Make sure the resolution is high enough to take quality images.
  • Take pictures during the day and images are well lit.
  • Take pictures from each corner to provide every angle. For example, a bedroom should have 5 pictures (each corner and the ceiling).
NEIGHBORHOOD & EXTERIOR PHOTOS
Neighbors/Street
  • House to the left
  • House to the right
  • House across the street
  • From street, take a picture down the road each way
Exterior
  • Straight on facing the house
  • Left side
  • Right side
  • Back side (back yard facing back of house)
  • Back yard (stand at back door and take picture of back yard
  • Roof (front and back)
  • Garage (all 4 sides and roof if detached)
  • Sheds/porches, etc
  • Driveway
  • Close up of window(s)
INTERIOR PHOTOS
Take comprehensive photos of all interior spaces to give potential buyers a complete view of the property.
1
Bedrooms
Capture all bedrooms from each corner and ceiling view.
2
Bathroom(s)
Document all bathrooms including fixtures and features.
3
Kitchen
Show countertops, cabinets, appliances, and overall layout.
4
Living room
Capture the main living space from multiple angles.
5
Dining/formal room
Document any formal dining or additional rooms.
6
Stairways/hallways
Show connecting spaces to understand the flow.
7
Basement and/or Attic
Include all storage or additional living spaces.
8
Any other rooms
Capture dining, office, laundry, or any additional spaces.
DAMAGED ITEMS
Include a specific image of any/all obvious and visible damaged or broken items including… cracks in driveway/sidewalk, drywall dents/holes, water stains, mold, missing plug/switch covers or light fixtures, damaged doors/trim, cracked windows, stained carpet or damaged flooring. Foundation cracks, etc. Anything that may need to be repaired if the house were to be completely renovated. There is no judgment here. Do not skip something as it will come up eventually. Please be as detailed as possible.
Drywall Damage
Document any holes, cracks or imperfections in walls.
Water Damage
Capture any water stains on ceilings, walls or floors.
Foundation Issues
Document any structural concerns clearly and with context.
MECHANICALS
Document all mechanical systems to give buyers a complete understanding of the property's infrastructure.
Furnace(s)
Take clear photos of heating systems.
Hot water heater(s)
Document water heating equipment.
Electrical
Capture meter (outside) and breaker box(s).
AC unit(s)
Show air conditioning units and air handlers.
Appliances
Include dishwasher, microwave, fridge, stove, washer/dryer.
Water softener(s)
Document water treatment systems.
Sump pump(s)
Show basement water management systems.
VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS
Using a smart phone or camera, take a video to illustrate the floor plan (layout) of the house. Record in a way that the viewer can see the property and also understand the flow(layout). While filming, explain each item/room and what you think of the condition (if it needs fixed or not).
1
Lighting and Timing
Take videos during the day and make sure they are well lit.
2
Camera Technique
Walk slowly and hold steady. Avoid shaky-camera syndrome.
3
Panning
Pan left to right and up and down slowly (not too fast where it can't be seen clearly)
4
Continuous Recording
While walking slowing, video without stopping to see layout. (For example, while recording, walk in front door, pan slowly left right, up and down, then continue walking through living room and into kitchen, etc)
5
Orientation
If using a smart phone, always take videos with the camera recording in horizontal position (not vertical)
6
Narration
Talk and explain while filming. This helps the viewer understand more what is being filmed.
VIDEO WALKTHROUGH & FILE SHARING
Video Recording Sequence
  • Start outside facing the front of house at the street
  • Do a slow 360 turn showing the neighbors
  • Walk around the entire house showing close-ups of roof, windows, garage, back yard, front yard, etc. (remember to zoom back out so viewer can see from afar as well as close up)
  • Walk in the front door (while filming)
  • Walk through the entire house explaining the rooms, flow, work needed, etc.
  • Be sure to point out the mechanicals (electrical box, water heater, AC, furnace, etc)
  • Don't skip over anything ugly or things that look bad. Show it all!
File Sharing Options
Pictures and videos are to be uploaded onto a photo/video sharing website. This will allow you to submit a link to the pictures/videos instead of large files.
Here are two popular file sharing programs:
Google Drive (free): https://www.google.com/drive/
Both Google Drive and Dropbox have free versions with over 1GB of storage. Choose one, sign up, and follow their tutorials for uploading files to a shared album.
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