Preparing your home for a video shoot: the complete checklist

Preparing your home for sale is the first step in showing it at its best. And on the day of filming, that preparation counts double: the camera sees everything, from a crooked cushion to a reflection in a window. The good news is that a well-prepared home needs neither major works nor a big budget. Here is the complete checklist we share with owners before every shoot.

The day before the shoot

Most of the work happens the day before. Allow half a day.

• Put away everything lying around: post, chargers, toys, clothes, cleaning products.
• Clean thoroughly: floors, windows, mirrors, worktops. Light reveals the slightest mark.
• Replace dead bulbs and check that every lamp works.
• Prepare the outdoors: mow the lawn, sweep the terrace, clean the pool.
• Put personal items away: family photos, papers, valuables.

Indoors

The aim is not to empty the house, but to make it easy to read. A buyer must be able to picture themselves there.

1. Clear the surfaces. A worktop with three chosen objects is better than a cluttered one.
2. Open up the spaces. Remove one piece of furniture too many in a room that feels small.
3. Make the beds with light, smooth linen.
4. Add a touch of life: a bouquet, an open book, a bowl of fruit. With restraint.
5. Close cupboards and bathroom doors that are not being filmed.

Outdoors

Outdoor spaces weigh heavily in the decision to buy, and they are often what the drone shows off.

• Garden: lawn mowed, beds trimmed, leaves raked.
• Terrace: furniture clean and well arranged, cushions in place, parasol open if it is attractive.
• Pool: clear water, cover removed, cleaning robot out of the pool.
• Facade and entrance: bins put away, cars moved, letterbox clean.

From the sky, every detail counts. A car parked at the entrance or a hose on the lawn shows up immediately.

Light and timing

Light is the most important ingredient of a successful shoot. We choose the time of day according to your home's orientation:

• The morning for an east-facing house, or for soft light in the living spaces.
• Late morning in summer to make a pool sparkle.
• Late afternoon for a terrace facing the sunset.

On the day, open all the shutters and curtains, and switch on the mood lamps. A bright house feels bigger and more welcoming. To find out more about the shots we film, read the 7 shots that sell a property.

What not to hide

Preparing your home does not mean disguising it. A buyer will always visit in the end. If they discover on site a defect carefully hidden in the film, trust is broken.

• Don't alter reality: no replaced sky, no digitally repainted wall.
• Show the rooms as they are, in their best light.
• Embrace the quirks: an old house has character, and that is a selling point.

An honest film protects everyone's time. Buyers who visit after watching it know what to expect, and they come because they already like the house.

On the day of the shoot

On the day, a few simple gestures make the team's work easier:

• Leave the house free if possible: the fewer people, the smoother the shoot.
• Keep pets out of the way or leave them with a friend.
• Arrange access: keys, gate, garage, pool.
• Stay reachable to answer questions about the house.

Room by room: what to watch

The entrance: this is the first impression. Clear the way, put shoes and coats away, add a welcoming touch.

The living room: clear the surfaces, arrange the cushions, open the curtains. A throw and a book are enough to bring it to life.

The kitchen: worktops clear but for a few objects, a clean sink, appliances wiped. Put tea towels and sponges away.

The bedrooms: beds carefully made, bedside tables cleared, wardrobes closed.

The bathrooms: clean, folded towels, products put away, mirrors and taps gleaming, toilet lid down.

The study: papers tidied, screens off, cables hidden.

The outdoors seen by drone

The drone sees what people forget. Before an aerial shoot, walk around the property imagining it from above:

• Roofs and gutters: leaves, moss, forgotten objects.
• Paths and terraces: swept, with no empty pots or tools.
• Pool: cover removed, clear water, no floating toys.
• Cars: parked out of shot or in the garage.
• Bins and compost: out of sight.

A successful aerial shot immediately gives the impression of a well-kept property.

Small jobs that change everything

Before filming, a few quick fixes make a big difference:

1. Repaint a damaged or overly bright wall.
2. Replace a bulb whose colour differs from the others.
3. Fix a handle, a creaking door, a loose skirting board.
4. Clean the grout in the bathroom.
5. Trim a hedge hiding the facade.

These details cost little, and the camera notices them straight away.

Preparing a rental between two stays

If your property is rented out, the shoot is prepared between two stays. Plan a free day, a full clean the day before, your newest linen, and check that the outdoor equipment is in place. It is also the moment to take down posted instructions and remove anything guests have left behind.

Frequently asked questions

Should you do home staging before filming?

Not necessarily. Good tidying and a few adjustments are enough in most cases. Professional home staging can help for an empty or very personal house.

How long does a shoot take?

It depends on the size of the property. A family house is usually filmed in a few hours; a large property with grounds can take longer.

Can you film a lived-in house?

Yes, it is even the most common case. A lived-in, tidy house has more warmth than an empty one.

What if it rains on the day of the shoot?

The shoot is rescheduled if the weather threatens the outdoors or the drone. We choose the date with you while watching the forecast.

Should you remove all the furniture?

No. A tastefully furnished house helps buyers picture themselves there. Only remove what clutters or makes a room feel smaller.

What if the house is being renovated?

It is better to film once the works are finished. If that is not possible, film the finished spaces and show the plans for the rest.

Prepare your shoot

Want to know how a shoot at your home would go? Watch our films, read our guide to property video, then let's talk about your home in a 20-minute call.