9 Tips for Preparing Your Home for a Property Virtual Tour

When you’re getting ready to sell your home, first impressions really do count — and in today’s market, that first impression often happens online.

Professionally shot property virtual tours let buyers explore your space from the comfort of their own homes. But no matter how great the camera is, a beautifully presented home makes the biggest impact. Taking just an hour to prepare your home can transform your shoot.

Before we dive into our 9 essential tips for preparing your home, here’s a quick look at what happens during the shoot itself, so you know exactly what to expect on the day.

What to Expect on the Day

Your photographer will arrive at the scheduled time and take 10 minutes to set up equipment. Before starting, they’ll do a quick walk-through to plan the shoot. We may move a few small items like tea towels, but only allow 5 minutes for this—so following the tips below in advance helps us focus on capturing your home at its best.

We shoot room by room, from the ground floor up. Our camera uses LiDAR to capture everything in view and generate a 360 virtual tour, professional photos and an accurate floor plan. Since nothing is hidden from view, we suggest staying in another room—ideally upstairs—so we can shoot that space last. Once we’re done inside, we’ll move on to any outside areas.

Appointments typically take up to 1.5 hours, or up to 2.5 hours for larger 6-7 bedroom properties.

Whether you’ve booked us for a virtual tour, or a full property marketing package (virtual tour, photos and floorplan), here’s our essential checklist to help you prepare for your property virtual tour on the day:

1. Tidy Up the Front of the House

Let’s start with curb appeal. If a car is parked in the driveway or bins are clustered around the front door, they can be distracting — and not in a good way.

• Move cars off the driveway (and ideally off the road outside too).

• Tuck bins into the garage or around the side of the house.

• Sweep paths and tidy flowerbeds.

  
  

Your front exterior is often the first (and last) image people see when they look at property virtual tours — make it count!

2. Clear Away Everyday Items

We know you live here — but potential buyers need to imagine themselves living here. Personal and everyday items, even if they’re neatly placed, can clutter the scene.

Hide things like:

• Handbags and backpacks

• Dressing gowns on doors

• Shoes in hallways

• Laundry baskets and folded clothes

• Piles of paperwork (particularly those containing personal information)

• Blankets that aren’t styled or folded neatly

  
  

Less is more when it comes to styling for a virtual tour shoot!

3. Clean the House (Even Just a Quick Once-Over)

This step might seem obvious, but a quick vacuum and surface wipe makes a massive difference on camera. Smears on windows, crumbs on the counter, and toothpaste on a mirror can stand out in high-resolution photos and 360° tours.

Hot tip: Check mirrors and glossy surfaces — they’re sneaky culprits that often show up more than you expect in 360 virtual tours.

4. Hide Wires and Tech Clutter

A property virtual tour sees everything! Photographers will sometimes tuck away trailing wires, but we generally won’t move personal electronics like chargers, laptops, or cables from smart home hubs.

Before we arrive, try to:

• Hide or unplug visible wires.

• Stow away extension leads.

• Remove phone chargers and random cables.

  
  

5. Move Pet Items Out of Sight

We love animals — but litter trays, scratching posts, pet beds, and bowls don’t belong in your home’s big moment.

Temporarily move any pet-related items to a cupboard or garage space so they’re out of view during the shoot.

6. Style, Don’t Just Clean

Straightening pillows, folding throws, and arranging chairs neatly are essential touches that help a space look polished and welcoming. They show up beautifully in photos and property virtual tours.

Think of it as setting the scene, like in a show home. The vibe we’re going for? Relaxed but immaculate.

7. Light It Up

Lighting makes a huge difference. While we’ll usually turn on all the ceiling lights before we start, soft lamps and side lighting add warmth and depth to your rooms.

Before we arrive:

• Switch on bedside and table lamps.

• Replace any blown bulbs.

• Open all curtains and blinds to let in natural light.

  
  

On a grey day, this extra glow can be a game-changer.

8. Tidy the Garden

Buyers will explore outdoor areas just as closely as indoor spaces. Whether it’s a large lawn or a city balcony, outdoor photos are just as important.

Make sure to:

• Mow the lawn.

• Clear leaves and debris.

• Stow away toys, tools, or washing.

• Arrange furniture nicely if you have it.

  
  

A neat garden creates a powerful “lifestyle” moment for buyers to latch onto.

9. Final Check: Walk Through Like a Buyer

Before we arrive, do a quick walk-through. Try to view your home through a buyer’s eyes. What stands out? Is there clutter on countertops or dishes in the sink? Would you want to imagine yourself living here?

Sometimes the smallest tweaks — a freshly made bed, a styled coffee table, a cleared desk — can elevate the whole space.

Preparing for Your Virtual Tour

Getting ready for your virtual tour is crucial. By following these steps, you ensure your home looks its best. Not only does it enhance the visual appeal, but it also helps create that emotional connection buyers are looking for.

At Copy and Space, we’ve captured thousands of homes for property virtual tours, and we know what makes a difference. Founded by an architect and supported by a creative team of designers, we approach every shoot with a trained eye for layout, flow, and visual appeal.

We’ll always do what we can on the day. However, with a little prep beforehand, we can truly capture your property at its very best.

Any questions? Not sure whether to move something? Just drop us a message — we’re always happy to help!

Discover more about our services here.