I aim for 3-5 days to get ready before the photo shoot.  Most of my listings are show ready as that is how they live but there has been a few that needed help.  We don't go for that "sterile" look up here and homes that are over staged don't provide that "feeling" most people need to get. I always find it interesting how different markets operate.

Yes.

To the extent it's practical; some are tenant occupied, others are people that just are not going to do much and it would strain the relationship to "require" it. So, I do the best I can, with what I got in the time allowed.

I strongly advise the sellers to get the property in showing condition.  I sometimes hire a stager to come in prior to photo day to offer advice and suggestions on making the home show it's best. 

For Sure...Seller left house, and the dishes were piled up in the sink and the beds weren't made - We got to work quickly!

Yes.  I tell them that they are losing money if they don't.

yes

Yes but their idea of  "ready for showtime" may not be the same as mine. When photographer arrives, if the home still needs to get ready for photos with help from the photographer's direction I can usually make it ready. I've rearranged and removed furniture and clutter from photos. 

Yes! You only have one chance to make a good first impression!

Strongly recommend.  The motivated ones will comply.

YOu bet. I take photos on my iPad in advance so they can see what their home looks like "online." Most have looked at homes online alrady and get how important this can be

There's always prep work to be done prior to the listing going "live".   

Like to have the home show ready a few days prior to photos, and often they want me to walk the home again to be sure.  

Wise approach Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers !

YES. We hire a photographer and want the property ready for the photo shoot. Not over-staged but decluttered and polished.

with the exception of REO properties yes. Then I am at the mercy of when the bank say to go and sometimes it's before the clean up.

Yes.  Once we're ready for prime time, our office photo whiz comes in for the shoot.

Absolutely! I don't activate a home without pictures and I don't send the photographer until I consider it ready. 

Yes I do.

Depends on how bad things are.  If I can shoot around it and give them some time to get the house ready for showing, I will.  Usually, most of my houses are ready to go when I show up.

absolutely.... the phrase "the eye buys" is drilled into them....

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers 

It is good to prepare a property before taking photos and activate the listing.

Yes, I don't take photo's until they will look good

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers Yes, otherwise you're wasting days on the market and a photographers time.

Yes,

Yes! You don't have but once chance to make a good first impression.

If it is not quite show ready when pic time arrives, I make it show ready.

Yes I do

Yes. It must look it's best in photos or it's not worth taking them. This is the first time the potential buyers will view the home!

I certainly plan to encourage it by giving them the option of getting it show-ready (based on a previously discussed list of suggested items) by an agreed upon date, and:

(a) If they don't, I'll take the pictures (or they can hire a professional photographer at their expense, or get a friend to do it, or whatever, but I'm not paying for it) and have them indicate in writing that they understand the potential for a decrease in showings due to images of an un-ready home. 

(b) If they do, I'll gladly cover the standard (based on property type, price, etc) costs to bring in a professional photographer. 

Yes, and often it postpones a listing of that property a lot. I have two listings right now that are not active since owners are still ''preparing'' their houses. 

My excellent stager Kim Gaston walks the property with the seller giving them detailed instructions on what to do. Then it get staged. Then we shoot professional pics.