top of page
Writer's picturematthew frisbie

Staging Your Maui Home or Airbnb for Professional Real Estate and Vacation Rental Photography

Updated: Oct 23

How to Prepare Your Maui Home for Real Estate Listing or Airbnb Photography


 


Clean design and home staging in airbnb kitchen.
Professionally Staged Maui Short Term Vacation Rental



When it comes to selling or renting a home in the competitive Maui real estate and vacation rental market, high-quality photography is crucial. Professional photos can dramatically improve a listing’s appeal, leading to faster sales, more bookings, and even higher property closing values. Here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing your Maui property for a successful photography session with a Maui Real Estate Photographer or Maui Drone Photographer.


1. Clean and Declutter

To capture your home at its best, start by scheduling a professional cleaning. While you can tidy up on your own, a professional cleaning service will ensure that every surface, window, and floor is spotless, creating a polished and inviting look that shines through in photos. A decluttered space also allows potential guests and buyers to focus on the property’s features rather than distractions.


For vacation rentals, items like standing fans or halogen lights should be tucked away in a closet. Minimizing these items opens up the space and helps create a more welcoming atmosphere. Clean, organized rooms with minimal personal belongings make the home appear more spacious and attractive.​

.


2. Consider Professional Staging

While your photographer can adjust items for the best shot, they’re primarily focused on capturing images. For optimal presentation, consider hiring a professional stager or interior designer. A stager can help rearrange or add elements that enhance the space, making it look more appealing to potential buyers or guests. This investment can increase your home’s marketability and boost its perceived value. If you need recommendations, your property manager, realtor, or media professional can provide suggestions for reputable local stagers​.


.


Bedspread with beautiful pillows and fabrics.
An Example of a Curated Color and Materials Palette


3. Perfect the Window Treatments

Window treatments are important in photography, especially when capturing Maui’s beautiful natural light. Curtains and blinds should be clean and positioned exactly as you’d like them to appear in photos. Since they can be fragile and finicky, adjusting these beforehand allows your photographer to focus on lighting and composition without needing to reposition them. Window treatments, when done right, add a refined look to the space and can make rooms appear brighter and more open​.

.


4. Let There Be Light

A naturally lit space is essential for appealing real estate and vacation rental photos. Your photographer may choose to work with the lights off and use off-camera flash to balance the bright exterior light with the darker interior. This technique ensures the right color balance by avoiding conflicting light sources and illuminates the room evenly. Trust your photographer to make this call, as they’re trained to achieve the best light balance for each shot​.

.


A staged dining table overlooking the ocean.
Professional home stagers have an arsenal of props to make short term vacation rentals pop.


5. Showcase Outdoor Spaces

If your property has outdoor features like a pool, garden, or lanai, these can be key selling points. For Maui Drone Photography, which captures stunning aerial views, ensure that the landscaping is well-maintained, outdoor furniture is clean, and vehicles are parked out of sight. By showcasing these areas, you’re giving potential buyers and renters a sense of the property’s setting, which is especially appealing in a scenic location like Maui​

.


6. Depersonalize the Space

To help potential guests or buyers visualize themselves in the home, remove personal items like family photos, children’s artwork, and personalized decor. This approach creates a neutral space that feels more universally inviting. Also, consider removing any religious or political items that may distract from the overall aesthetic. The goal is to create a clean, open environment where viewers can imagine their own furnishings and decor​

.


7. Enhance Curb Appeal

The exterior of your home makes a lasting first impression, so it’s important to make sure it looks its best. This can mean anything from trimming bushes and mowing the lawn to power-washing walkways and adding a splash of color with flowers. Be sure to remove any cars, trash cans, garden hoses or unsightly outdoor items before the photographer arrives. With Maui Drone Photography, the exterior view can be even more impactful, capturing the surrounding beauty of the property from above​


.


Pink and orange sunset sky behind a maui bed and breakfast in the mountains.
Not pictured is an SUV that needed to be virtually removed from the driveway.



8. Final Touches

As a last step, do a walkthrough of the property to ensure ceiling fans are off, window treatments are set, and standing fans or halogen lights are stored out of sight. These small details can make a big difference in the final images. A clutter-free, thoughtfully prepared space allows your photographer to capture the home in its best light, resulting in high-quality photos that highlight the property’s full potential​

.


The Power of Professional Photography

Professional photography can significantly increase the visibility and appeal of a listing. According to recent studies, homes with high-quality photos receive 118% more views and sell faster than homes without them. For vacation rentals, high-quality images directly contribute to more bookings, as renters are more likely to choose homes that are bright, inviting, and well-presented​


 

Following these preparation steps will help ensure that your property is ready for a successful photography session, allowing your Maui Real Estate Photographer to showcase it at its best and helping you attract more buyers and renters.

4 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page