Clear your clutter by at least half. With few exceptions, we all have accumulated extra things, and over time, we become blind to them. But you can be sure the camera – and potential buyers – will notice. Take a look at your home with a critical eye, or else bring a friend over to help. In each room, pull things from the corners, the shelves and the side tables into the middle of the floor. Then box it all up and put it in storage until after the sale. Leave out the most attractive items. Repeat this process, if necessary, until you can walk in and notice the room, not all the stuff in it. Your home will look larger and more attractive.

Clean the kitchen. Clear off the counters. Put away the knife block, toaster, paper towels, sponges, and dish soap. You can leave one appliance out, like the coffee maker. Remove all magnets from the refrigerator, and clear off the top. Dress up the dining table with your best set of dishes or a bouquet of flowers. But don't overdo it. Less is more when it comes to staged décor.

Bathe the bathrooms. Clean the whole room until it shines. Put the toilet lid down, hide all the toiletries from the sink and shower, and get rid of old towels. Polish up the mirrors, put out new towels and remove the floor mats.

Beautify the bedrooms. You'll need to do more than just make the beds. Be sure nothing is stashed underneath that will show in photos. Clean your closets so they don't look stuffed – you do not want to give people the impression that there's not enough storage space. Dressers and nightstands should be clean and have minimal decorations. Store away cords and chargers.

Love your living room. As this is often the largest room, it warrants a little extra attention.  Highlight the room's best feature, whether that's a fireplace, built-in shelves or a window with a stunning view. Turn off the TV and hide all the cords, even if it means unplugging things for awhile.

Free yourself from fur. Pets – and their stuff – should be absent from all pictures. Stash away their toys, beds, dishes, and the litter box until after the photo shoot. If they don't shy away on their own, you should probably confine your pets to an out of the way spot until the photography is done.

Straighten your storage areas. Don't neglect the catch-all areas in your home. Whether it's the garage, basement, or a spare room, if you have things stored and can't clear them out completely, at least organize them. Clutter and chaos are the enemies of good house photos.

Prepping your home for the photo shoot is the best way to ensure the photographer will get the best results. This is your home's moment in the spotlight – do all you can to make sure it's ready to steal the show.