What Should I Remove Before Listing Photos and Showings?

What Should I Remove Before Listing Photos and Showings?
A Seller’s Reality Check from Josh Finigan & The Finigan Group

Before buyers ever step foot in your home, they see it online. And in Charlotte’s market, those first photos are doing most of the selling. One of the biggest mistakes Josh Finigan sees is homeowners focusing on what to add, instead of what to remove.

The rule buyers never say out loud

Buyers want to imagine their life in the home, not analyze yours. Every personal item, cluttered surface, or oversized piece of furniture pulls them out of that imagination.

Josh’s rule is simple: if it distracts, it detracts.

What Josh tells Charlotte sellers to remove first

Before photos and showings, The Finigan Group recommends removing or minimizing:

Personal photos and memorabilia (family pictures, diplomas, kids’ art)
Excess furniture that makes rooms feel smaller
Countertop clutter (small appliances, paper piles, cords)
Bold or polarizing decor that doesn’t serve the room
Pet items (bowls, beds, litter boxes, crates)
Bathroom items (toothbrushes, toiletries, shower clutter)

Josh walks sellers through this room by room, often marking what stays and what goes so you’re not guessing.

Why this matters more in photos than in person

A room might feel “fine” in person but look cramped or chaotic on camera. Buyers scroll fast. If your photos feel busy, they skip—no showing request, no second chance.

Josh coordinates decluttering specifically for photography, not just for cleanliness. That’s a critical difference.

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for Top Dollar, Today!

With over 720+ homes sold and 250+ 5-star reviews, The Finigan Group delivers the results others promise — and gets you Top Dollar without the stress.

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The Finigan Group advantage

Josh doesn’t just say “declutter.” He explains:

Why an item hurts perception
Where it should go temporarily
What buyers in your price range actually notice

In some cases, he’ll recommend a short-term storage unit or rearranging items into closets strategically—because buyers rarely open every door.

If you’re listing in Charlotte and want your photos to stop the scroll, start by removing what doesn’t belong. And if you want a clear, unemotional checklist tailored to your house, Josh Finigan & The Finigan Group will walk you through it step by step.