To Sell or Rent Your Home Quickly, Presentation Is Everything
09 January 2026
In today’s property market, first impressions are no longer made at the front gate — they’re made online.
Before a buyer or tenant ever steps inside your home, they have already formed an opinion from your photos and video. Properties that are clean, well-presented, and professionally showcased consistently attract more enquiries, create stronger interest, and achieve faster results.
At Cornerstone Real Estate, we see this every day. If you want to sell or rent your home quickly, presenting it in its best condition is key — and this guide explains exactly how to do it.
Why “Show-Ready” Homes Perform Better
Professional marketing is not about making a home look unrealistic. It is about helping buyers and tenants clearly understand the space, the flow, the light, and the lifestyle.
Clutter, personal items, and unfinished preparation distract from the features that matter most. A clean, neutral, and thoughtfully presented home allows viewers to picture themselves living there — and that emotional connection is what drives enquiries, viewings, and decisions.
In short:
Well-presented homes stand out online and perform better in the market.
Photography & Video in 2026: What Many Owners Don’t Realise
In 2026, photography alone is no longer enough.
Cornerstone Real Estate now creates professional photography and full video walkthroughs, captured by our full-time in-house videographer. These videos help your property reach a wider audience across:
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Website listings
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Social media (Reels, short videos, and full walkthroughs)
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Buyer and tenant outreach
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Targeted property campaigns
Because video captures movement, angles, and detail, preparation matters even more than before.
The biggest misconception:
Many owners assume the visit will take 10–20 minutes.
In reality, a full photo + video shoot can take 1–2 hours, even for a well-prepared property. That time is used to capture the elements that make your home feel special — the light, the space, the flow, and the lifestyle details that help it stand out online.
Important to know:
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Our photographer and videographer cannot help tidy, move furniture, or pack away personal items during the shoot
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Everything must be ready before we arrive
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If the property is not ready, the best option is to reschedule (please do this by 5:00pm the day before your appointment)
Preparing Your Home: Room-by-Room Guide
Use this as your practical checklist before our visit.
Preparing Your Home: Room-by-Room Guide (Quick Reference)
| Area | Preparation Checklist |
|---|---|
| Living Areas | • Remove clutter, personal items, tissues, remotes, and loose cables • Remove floor mats and sweep or mop floors • Hide children’s toys and excess décor • Clear surfaces so rooms feel open, calm, and spacious |
| Kitchen & Dining Areas | • Clear countertops completely and store small appliances out of sight • Put away dishes, cups, and glasses • Remove fridge magnets, photos, sponges, soap bottles, and cloths • Remove items from the top of the refrigerator • A simple table setting can add warmth and lifestyle appeal |
| Bedrooms | • Make all beds neatly • Hide toys, personal items, chargers, alarm clocks, and excess photos • Clean or sweep floors • Ensure lamps are working and plugged in • Aim for a calm, neutral, inviting feel |
| Bathrooms | • Remove all toiletries from sinks and showers • Hide toothbrushes, cosmetics, soap dispensers, and scales • Remove bath and shower mats • Wipe down surfaces and mirrors • Place clean, neatly folded towels in standard locations |
| Outdoor Areas | • Tidy gardens and outdoor spaces • Clean the pool and remove pool toys • Roll up hoses and organise outdoor furniture neatly • Open umbrellas where appropriate • Ensure rubbish bins are completely out of sight |
Final Checks Before We Arrive (Do These Right Before the Shoot)
These last steps make a noticeable difference in both photos and video — especially for your property’s “hero” shots.
| Timing | What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 30–60 minutes before | Finish all tidying and remove remaining clutter from surfaces | Video captures more detail than photos — small items become big distractions |
| Just before we arrive | Turn all interior lights ON in rooms being filmed/photographed | Bright, even lighting makes rooms feel larger and more welcoming |
| Just before we arrive | Open curtains & blinds fully | Natural light improves clarity, colour, and the overall feel |
| Just before we arrive | Turn ceiling fans OFF | Prevents motion blur and reduces unwanted background noise in video |
| Before we arrive | Replace any safe-to-reach blown light bulbs | Eliminates dark corners that make rooms look smaller |
| Before we arrive | Remove cars/motorbikes/scooters from driveways and parking areas | Keeps exterior shots clean and avoids blocking key angles |
| Before we arrive | Do not park directly in front of the home | Prevents vehicles appearing in your main exterior marketing image/video |
| Before we start | Place pets in a secure area (if possible) | Keeps filming smooth and reduces interruptions or noise |
| Before we start | Do a quick “camera walk-through” (stand in doorways and scan) | If your eye catches it, the camera definitely will |
Practical Tips That Make Preparation Easier
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Use a laundry room, storage room, garage, wardrobe, or under-bed space as temporary storage
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Remove seasonal decorations if possible
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Remember: everything visible will be captured on camera
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Remove valuables or sensitive personal items you do not want visible in photos or video
Our team is happy to do a quick walk-through before we start, but please note:
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We can only make small detail suggestions (lighting, angles, minor adjustments)
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Moving items room-to-room during the shoot is not possible
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Preparation must be completed beforehand for the best results
Why This Matters for Your Listing
At Cornerstone Real Estate, we don’t just list properties — we professionally showcase them.
High-quality photography and video help:
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Attract more qualified enquiries
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Create stronger first impressions online
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Increase engagement across social media
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Reduce time on market
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Present your home with the respect it deserves
When your home is properly prepared, we can focus on what we do best:
capturing the space, lifestyle, and unique selling points that make buyers and tenants want to book a viewing.
Thank You for Your Cooperation
We appreciate the time and effort it takes to prepare your home, and we thank you for trusting Cornerstone Real Estate to market it professionally. We look forward to showing you the finished photos and video — and helping you achieve the best possible result.
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