Free tool
Walk your house the way a buyer will — a free readiness check
Small details photograph well and show well. These are the twelve things Shawn walks through with a seller before the camera comes out — answer honestly and you get the list of what is left, in his words.
Free. The result appears on this page — no email, no signup, nothing to create.
The walk-through, in full
Twelve questions from Shawn Wilmoth’s listing guide. You get a punch list of what to do before photography day, on this page, with no email and no signup.
Photography day
- Are the bulbs the same warm colour in every room?
Put 2700K–3000K bulbs in every room. Warm, consistent light photographs cleanly and makes rooms feel inviting instead of mixed or clinical. Shawn asks for 2700K–3000K throughout. - Are the windows clean, inside and out?
Scrape paint and debris with a razor blade, then clean every window inside and out. If that is not realistic yourself, hire a service — clear glass changes how a house photographs. Paint and debris scraped off the glass first. - Are the kitchen and bathroom counters cleared?
Clear kitchen and bath counters for photography. Leave one item on a bathroom sink — possibly two. Leave only three or four items on the kitchen counter. Put clothing away in every room and the laundry area, and wipe light fixtures of bugs and cobwebs. One item on a bathroom sink; three or four on the kitchen counter. - Is the paint simple and consistent, with no bold colours?
Keep paint simple — no bright or wild colours inside or out, and colours around the home should be consistent and complementary. If a child’s room took a bold turn, it is time to repaint before going to market. Including a child’s room that took a bold turn.
Walk-through
- Are the surfaces people actually touch clean?
Clean every surface people actually touch — light switches, door handles, doors, cabinets and faucets. These small spots read as dirty on camera and in person. Light switches, door handles, doors, cabinets, faucets. - Are chips and marks touched up, with no unmatched patches?
Touch up chips and dirty marks with a fresh patch. You do not have to paint the whole house, inside or out — but no wall should be left with an obvious unmatched patch. If a colour will not blend, consider a simple accent wall instead. You do not have to repaint the whole house. - Are the air filters fresh, with the date written on them?
Change every air filter and write the replacement date clearly on the new filter. Wipe the surrounding filter housing with a wet wipe so the mechanicals look cared for. And the housing around them wiped. - Does every smoke alarm work, with none missing?
Put fresh batteries in every smoke alarm and replace any that are missing — they are inexpensive. Buyers and inspectors notice this immediately. Inspectors notice this immediately.
Curb appeal
- Is the yard mowed, edged, and clear of old planters and debris?
Mow, edge, and haul off old planters, unused yard art and debris. Trim hedges neatly. Fresh planters with flowers make an immediate difference — red Knock Out roses give instant colour and hold up through drought. Hedges trimmed, yard art and rubbish hauled off.
Showings
- Are the closets usable, with their doors on?
Do not hide the whole house in the closets for showings. They can be packed for a photo or video shoot, but buyers will open them — and if closet doors are off and still available, put them back on. Buyers will open them. - Have you decided who is allowed inside for a showing?
Nobody should be in the house unless they are pre-qualified or have proof of cash. This protects your time, your home, and the quality of every showing. Shawn’s rule is pre-qualified or proof of cash. - Have you considered a short Coming Soon period?
Consider a Coming Soon period of five days before the home hits the open market. It builds interest, tightens timing, and lets the launch come from a position of strength. Five days before the open market.