Step by Step Instructions to Take Photos/Video
This document serves as detailed instructions to conduct a virtual
walkthrough of the property to get an accurate depiction of the layout and
condition of the house and neighborhood by using pictures and video. The
intent is for a buyer to make an informed decision to purchase the property
WITHOUT physically see it.
PHOTO INSTRUCTIONS:
Using a smart phone or camera, take photos to showcase the property from
many different angles of the exterior and interior and also to show the nature
of any work needed.
• Only 1 picture is needed of the same thing/angle. Delete the
duplicates.
• Make sure the resolution is high enough to take quality images
• Take pics during the day and images are well lit.
• Take pics from each corner to provide every angle. For example, a
bedroom should have 5 pictures (each corner and the ceiling).
Pictures to Include:
Neighbors/Street:
• House to the left
• House to the right
• House across the street
• From street, take pic down the road each way
Exterior:
• Straight on facing the house
• Left side
• Right side
• Back side (back yard facing back of house)
• Back yard (stand at back door and take pic of back yard
• Roof (front and back)
• Garage (all 4 sides and roof if detached)
• Sheds/porches, etc
• Driveway
• Close up of window(s)
Interior:
• Bedrooms
• Bathroom(s)
• Kitchen
• Living room
• Dining/formal room
• Stairways/hallways
• Basement and/or Attic
• Any other rooms (dining, office, laundry, etc.)
Damaged Items:
Include a specific image of any/all obvious and visible damaged or
broken items including… cracks in driveway/sidewalk, drywall
dents/holes, water stains, mold, missing plug/switch covers or light
fixtures, damaged doors/trim, cracked windows, stained carpet or
damaged flooring. Foundation cracks, etc. Anything that may need
repaired if the house were to be completely renovated. There is no
judgment here. Do not skip something as it will come up eventually.
Please be as detailed as possible.
Mechanicals
• Furnace(s)
• Hot water heater(s)
• Electrical meter (outside) and breaker box(s)
• AC unit(s) and air handlers
• Appliances (dishwasher, microwave, fridge, stove, washer/dryer)
• Water softener(s)
• Sump pumps(s)
VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS:
Using a smart phone or camera, take video to illustrate the floor plan
(layout) of the house. editing so that I can see the property and also the flow
(layout). While filming, explain each item/room and what you think of the
condition (if it needs fixed or not).
• Take video during the day and make sure video is well lit.
• Walk slowly and hold steady. Avoid shaky-camera syndrome
• Pan left to right and up and down slowly (not too fast where it can’t
be seen clearly)
• While walking slowing, video without stopping to see layout. (For
example, while recording, walk in front door, pan slowly left right, up
and down, then continue walking through living room and into
kitchen, etc)
• If using a smart phone, always take video with camera recording in
horizonal position (not vertical)
• Talk and explain while filming. This helps the viewer understand
more what is being filmed.
Once Ready To Record…
• Start outside facing the front of house at the street
• Do a slow 360 turn showing the neighbors
• Walk around the entire house showing close-ups of roof, windows,
garage, back yard, front yard, etc. (remember to zoom back out so
viewer can see from afar as well as close up)
• Walk in the front door (while filming)
• Walk through the entire house explaining the rooms, flow, work
needed, etc.
• Be sure to point out the mechanicals (electrical box, water heater, AC,
furnace, etc)
• Don’t skip over anything ugly or things that look bad. Show it all!
Uploading Pics/Videos to Online Album
Pics and videos are to be uploaded onto a photo/video sharing website. This
will allow you to submit a link to the pics/videos instead of large files. Here
are two popular file sharing programs:
Google Drive (free): [Link]
Dropbox (free): [Link]
[Link]
rlkey=fxtzhpmwdexa0mfwzyhqg8lq1&dl=0
Both Google Drive and Dropbox have free versions with over 1GB of
storage. Choose one, sign up, and follow their tutorials for uploading files to
a shared album.