Written by The Friend Team — Have a Friend on Your Side

When buyers scroll through homes in Rochester, Pittsford, Brighton, Fairport, Victor, Canandaigua, and across the Finger Lakes, they make split-second decisions. If your home looks cluttered, chaotic, or overly personal in listing photos, buyers will move on long before they schedule a showing.

The good news?
You don’t need a full renovation or a professional stager to make a big impact. A few simple pre-photo tweaks can dramatically improve how your home presents online — and ultimately how much it sells for.

These small changes help buyers feel calm, focused, and able to picture themselves living there… which means more interest, more showings, and stronger offers.

Here are the top 9 items to remove before your photographer arrives:

1️⃣ Bathroom Clutter

If you use it daily, hide it temporarily.

Things to remove from bathrooms before photos:

• Shampoos and conditioners

• Razors

• Loofahs

• Toothbrushes

• Medications

• Hair tools

• Bath toys

Why it matters:
Bathrooms feel instantly smaller and messier when personal care items are in sight. Clean, clear bathroom surfaces photograph beautifully and make the room feel newer and more spa-like.

2️⃣ Kitchen Counter Extras

Nothing shrinks a kitchen faster than cluttered counters.

Before photos, remove or hide:

• Toasters

• Coffee makers (unless it's pretty!)

• Air fryers

• Blenders

• Paper towels

• Dish drying racks

• Mail piles

• Spices

• Dish towels

Aim for:
Clear counters with maybe one decorative item — a bowl of lemons, a plant, a cookbook — to add warmth without distraction.

3️⃣ Pet Items

We adore pets… but they create visual noise in listing photos.

Remove:

• Beds

• Food bowls

• Litter boxes

• Crates

• Toys

• Scratching posts

Why it matters:
Buyers subconsciously associate pet items with odors, wear-and-tear, or allergies — even if your home is spotless. Clear surfaces = clean perception.

4️⃣ Extra Trash Cans

One small, discreet trash can per home (if any) is more than enough.

Remove any:

• Large kitchen trash bins

• Bathroom baskets

• Bedroom cans

• Office wastebaskets

Why it matters:
Trash cans suggest clutter, mess, or smells — even when they’re empty. Photos look significantly cleaner without them.

5️⃣ Fridge Magnets & Personal Notes

Your fridge is not a community bulletin board during photo day.

Take down:

• Magnets

• Artwork

• Chore charts

• Photographs

• Reminder notes

• Calendars

This instantly improves visual appeal — especially in kitchens designed with open sightlines.

6️⃣ Laundry & Laundry Supplies

Hide it all:

• Hampers

• Laundry baskets

• Detergents

• Clothes drying racks

• Folding piles

• Clean or dirty clothes

Why it matters:
Laundry represents chores, work, overwhelm — and buyers feel that energy immediately. A “laundry-free” space feels airy, peaceful, and move-in ready.

7️⃣ Seasonal Décor (Unless It Matches the Season!)

Holiday décor is fun — but confusing for buyers outside of that season.

Examples to remove:

• Christmas trees

• Halloween decorations

• Easter items

• Fall pumpkins

• Window clings

• Seasonal wreaths

Why it matters:
Seasonal items timestamp the listing and distract buyers from the home’s features.

8️⃣ Cars in the Driveway

Photos look cleaner, wider, and more appealing when the driveway is clear.

Be sure to move:

• Cars

• Trailers

• Boats

• RVs

• Extra vehicles

Why it matters:
A clean driveway makes the home exterior feel larger and more welcoming. It's one of the easiest wins on photo day.

9️⃣ Visible Cords & Wires

Nothing cheapens listing photos faster.

Hide:

• TV cords

• Phone chargers

• Router wires

• Printer cords

• Gaming cables

• Lamp wires

Cord clutter is distracting — and removing it instantly elevates the space.

🌟 Bonus: Remove Before Photos If Possible

If you can, also hide:

• Children’s toys

• Dog crates

• Shoes & boots

• Laundry baskets

• Cleaning supplies

• Bathroom scales

• Empty boxes

• Diet Coke cases

• Air fresheners

• Remote controls

• Excess countertop appliances

Every little detail helps your home appear cleaner, brighter, and more high-end.

🏡 These Small Tweaks Help You Attract More Buyers & Higher Offers

Online photos are the first showing.
If your home shines online, it brings in:

✔ More showing requests
✔ More interested buyers
✔ Better perceived value
✔ Higher quality offers
✔ Faster results in competitive markets like Brighton, Pittsford, Fairport, Webster, Victor, and Canandaigua

And the best part — prep like this is quick, free, and extremely effective.

📞 Thinking About Selling? We’ll Help You Prep Like a Pro.

We help homeowners throughout Rochester, Monroe County, and Ontario County prepare their homes with confidence so they walk into the market positioned to win.

Whether you need:

• Photo-day prep

• Guidance on repairs

• Staging strategies

• Price analysis

• A full buy-and-sell plan

…our team will walk you through every step.

👉 Schedule a complimentary home-prep consultation:
https://www.friendonyourside.com/connect

📱 Call or text anytime: 585-622-7181
📧 Email: info@friendonyourside.com

When it’s time to sell, you deserve to have a friend on your side.

#RochesterRealtor #StageItToSellIt #HomeSellingTipsNY #BrightonRealtor #FingerLakesRealEstate