How to prepare your Costa Blanca home for a professional photoshoot

1. Start with a simple plan the day before

Walk through the property as a buyer would: entrance, living area, kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and outdoor spaces. Take a quick phone photograph of each room. This often reveals crowded corners and distracting objects that you overlook in daily life.

Decide where to store everything temporarily, away from rooms being photographed. Finish any planned minor repairs safely before the appointment. You rarely need to buy new furniture; begin with cleaning, orderly surfaces and a sensible layout.

2. Arrange each room for a clear purpose

Keep walkways open and position furniture so buyers can understand how the room works. A dining table should look usable, and doors should open freely. Avoid squeezing extra chairs or decorative pieces into smaller spaces.

• Living and dining areas: straighten cushions, align chairs and leave tables mostly clear.
• Bedrooms: make the beds neatly, use coordinated linen and clear bedside tables.
• Kitchen: clean worktops, the sink and appliance fronts; put washing-up items and excess small appliances away.
• Bathrooms: dry surfaces, clean mirrors, close toilet lids and put out fresh towels. Store everyday toiletries.

3. Clean carefully and prepare the light

Pay particular attention to windows, glass doors, mirrors, floors and reflective surfaces. Dust or streaks can stand out in a photograph. Check that accessible light bulbs work; leave electrical repairs to a qualified professional.

Open curtains and adjust blinds to admit daylight. Let the photographer decide which lights to use and how to manage glare. Tell us which rooms receive morning or afternoon sun so we can discuss a suitable time. Switch televisions and ceiling fans off for still photographs.

4. Protect privacy and remove daily distractions

Put away family photographs, named paperwork, post, medicines and valuables. Check fridge doors, noticeboards and computer screens for personal information. Store laundry, loose cables, cleaning products, shoes and bins where they will stay out of the photographs.

Arrange a comfortable, separate place for pets and coordinate with anyone living in the property. If the home is occupied by tenants, agree the visit and access in advance. Preparation should respect the people who live there.

5. Give your Costa Blanca outdoor space a purpose

A terrace, balcony, garden or solarium helps buyers understand how they could use the home outdoors. Sweep surfaces, arrange existing outdoor furniture and tidy pots. Leave access routes clear and show a realistic setup for the available space.

If you have a private pool, complete its normal cleaning and arrange poolside items neatly without compromising safety. Prepare only areas you own or are authorised to manage. Keep shared facilities and views accurately represented; tell us which communal spaces may be photographed.

6. Be ready when we arrive

Have keys ready for the rooms and outdoor areas included in the visit. Agree entry and parking arrangements with us, and move your own vehicle if it obstructs the property's entrance and can be parked lawfully elsewhere. Tell us about access restrictions and weather concerns.

Point out genuine selling features, such as an attractive terrace connection or useful storage. Staging should present the existing home clearly. Report known defects through the sale process rather than disguising them for photographs.

• Rooms cleaned, beds made and surfaces arranged.
• Personal information and valuables stored securely.
• Curtains prepared, lights checked and screens switched off.
• Outdoor areas tidy and safe to access.
• Keys, access and occupant arrangements confirmed.