7 essential items in a real estate media checklist for agents

Use this agent-ready, seven-item checklist to prepare sellers, choose the right deliverables, and compare local providers when booking photos, video, drone, and 2D floorplans. Silver Valley Studios Inc. serves Maple Ridge and the Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island regions and offers HDR photos, cinematic 4K and vertical videos, drone coverage, and 2D floorplans to create cohesive listing campaigns. For a longer photo shot plan you can share with sellers, see the Real Estate Photography Checklist for Every Listing.

1. Book early: timeline, turnaround, and day-of schedule every agent should use

Why timing matters: Booking early reduces stress, secures the best light and drone windows, and gives you time to complete seller prep and permissions. Realtor.com recommends using a marketing checklist to coordinate tasks and avoid last-minute gaps when launching a listing. See the Realtor.com new listing marketing checklist for planning tips.

Recommended lead times

• Photography only: book 3 to 10 days before listing photos to allow staging and daylight planning.
• Combined photo and video: book 7 to 14 days ahead to reserve a longer shoot slot and confirm seller prep.
• Drone: add a 3 to 7 day buffer for weather windows and flight permissions.
• 2D floorplans and measurements: schedule 3 to 7 days before listing to allow CAD or vector delivery.

Sample day-of timeline to share with sellers

• Arrival and quick walkthrough with agent and photographer: 5 to 10 minutes.
• Exterior shots and curb appeal: 15 to 25 minutes, depending on property size.
• Interior rooms by priority: 45 to 90 minutes. Kitchen, main living, primary bedroom, bathrooms first.
• Drone window: scheduled when local light is best, often early morning or late afternoon, 10 to 20 minutes.
• Video walkthrough and lifestyle B-roll: 15 to 30 minutes; allow owner or agent to demonstrate flow if desired.
• Final checks and pack down: 10 minutes.

2. Order the right photo package: HDR photos, shot list, and must-capture frames

Core frames and HDR: HDR photos expand dynamic range for bright windows and dark interiors, which is especially useful in Pacific Northwest light. Choose an HDR photo package for most detached homes and higher-end condos where window views and interior detail matter. Refer to the studio site for examples of HDR work and package options.

Core frames every listing needs

• Front exterior from the best angle with clean driveway and street view.
• Kitchen: wide, detailed counter and appliance shots.
• Main living area and dining area showing flow between spaces.
• Primary bedroom and main bath, plus secondary bedrooms for families.
• Key lifestyle shots such as views, backyard, or a unique architectural feature.

Luxury and lifestyle add-ons

• Twilight exterior photos to highlight lighting and curb appeal.
• Staged lifestyle vignette images for social promotion.
• Detailed close ups for bespoke finishes, appliances, or millwork.

Quick pre-shoot checklist for sellers

• Clear counters, remove personal photos, hide small trash and pet items.
• Open blinds where appropriate, turn on interior lights, and ensure all bulbs match colour temperature.
• Exterior: clear vehicles when possible, tidy lawn and entrance, remove hoses and bins.

3. Choose video deliverables: cinematic 4K tours, property video tours, and social clips

Different video formats serve different buyer journeys. A cinematic 4K walkthrough gives a polished, immersive tour for brokerage websites and high-end listings. Short vertical clips and reels are social-first assets that catch attention on Instagram and TikTok. Realtor.com highlights social media as a key channel for agent marketing and offers a social cheat sheet that helps match video formats to platform best practices. See the Realtor.com social media cheat sheet.

When to use a 4K cinematic tour

• Use for luxury listings, new builds, or properties with dramatic architecture or view corridors.
• Order when you want a narrated or music-backed piece for the MLS, brokerage site, or paid ads.

Social-first verticals and lengths

• Short vertical clips: 15 to 30 seconds for reels and stories.
• Medium clips: 30 to 60 seconds for TikTok or Instagram feed posts summarizing highlights.
• Provide captions and thumbnail options for better engagement.

Sample shot lists for each deliverable

• 4K walkthrough: opening exterior, keyed entry, main living flow, kitchen, primary suite, exterior lifestyle, closing shot.
• Vertical clip: 3 to 5 quick pans of top features, one standout detail shot, and a branded title frame.

4. Add drone photography and aerial video: permissions, weather, and local considerations

Drone media adds scale and neighbourhood context. Use aerials to show lot size, water or mountain views, proximity to parks and transit, and rooftop condition. Confirm flight approvals and local constraints with your provider before booking. Silver Valley Studios provides aerial photos and video as part of coordinated packages for Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island listings.

Local weather and scheduling tips

• Expect fog and rain at times on the coast. Schedule flexible windows to secure a clear aerial day.
• Early morning and late afternoon often yield softer light and better visibility for aerials.

Questions to ask the pilot before booking

• Are you fully licensed and insured for commercial flights in this area?
• Do you monitor temporary flight restrictions or municipal no-fly zones near the property?
• What is your backup plan if weather cancels the drone window?

5. Order 2D floorplans and measurements when accuracy matters

Floorplans reduce buyer friction by showing layout and flow. They are most valuable for new builds, multi-level homes, and condos with unusual layouts. Silver Valley Studios offers 2D floorplans as part of combined media packages to provide consistent visual assets for listings.

Prep steps for accurate plans

• Ensure all doors are closed where possible and clear walkways for accurate measurement access.
• Provide agent notes about any renovations or changes that affect room function or measurement.
• Confirm the preferred deliverable format such as PDF or JPEG for MLS and marketing packages.

How agents should present floorplans in marketing

• Include a thumbnail floorplan in the MLS and link to a full-size PDF in the listing packet.
• Use floorplans in social posts and email marketing to help buyers visualise flow.

6. Prep the seller and the home: staging, declutter, lighting, and small fixes that avoid reshoots

Staging and cleanliness reduce the need for reshoots and produce stronger first impressions. Industry playbooks recommend prioritising staging and consistent branding for listing assets because clear photography and video support marketing distribution. See DoorAppeal resources for staging and asset playbook ideas. DoorAppeal resources.

Quick 30-minute pre-shoot checklist agents can email

• Remove personal photos, prescriptions, and excess clutter from counters.
• Hide trash bins, laundry baskets, and pet beds.
• Bring in fresh towels for bathrooms and add a neutral vase or plant on counters.
• Open curtains and blinds where appropriate and turn on all interior lights with matched bulbs.
• Move cars from the driveway and sweep entrance steps.

7. Compare providers and handle common objections: selection criteria, transparent quotes, and a booking CTA

Disclosure: This checklist is not a ranking of providers. Use the selection criteria below to compare local studios fairly and pick the supplier that meets your market needs. Focus on deliverables, turnaround, and local experience rather than only price.

Provider comparison checklist

• Deliverables and file types: do they include high resolution JPGs, web-ready versions, vertical clips, and floorplan PDFs?
• Sample portfolio: do their sample photos and video show properties in your target neighbourhood or price band?
• HDR and drone capability: confirm HDR processing and licensed drone pilots for aerials.
• Turnaround and revisions: what is the usual delivery time and how many rounds of edits are included?
• Transparency: ask for an itemised quote and a clear cancellation or reschedule policy.
• Service area: confirm they cover your market, such as Maple Ridge, Surrey, Langley, or Vancouver Island.

How to answer common seller objections

• Cost: explain that professional media is an investment in first impressions across MLS and social channels and often helps listings sell faster.
• Staging time: offer a short printable checklist and suggest small, high-impact fixes that take under an hour.
• Drone limits: explain you will confirm flight permissions and timing with the pilot and provide an alternative plan if aerials are not possible.

Book or get pricing

To compare packages or request pricing for photography, video, drone, and 2D floorplans in Maple Ridge or across Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island, contact the studio through their online booking portal for per-project and packaged pricing options. Visit Silver Valley Studios Inc. to view packages, check availability, and book a shoot.

FAQ

How far in advance should I book a photo, video, drone, and floorplan shoot for a new listing?

Book photography 3 to 10 days ahead, combined photo and video 7 to 14 days, drone with a 3 to 7 day weather buffer, and floorplans 3 to 7 days before listing to allow time for seller prep and delivery turnaround.

What deliverables should I order for a condo listing versus a detached luxury home?

For condos, focus on wide interior photos, amenity shots, floorplans, and short vertical social clips. For detached luxury homes, add HDR architectural photos, cinematic 4K tours, twilight exteriors, and aerial video to show lot and views.

Can drone shots be taken everywhere across Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island?

Drone availability depends on local no-fly zones, temporary flight restrictions, and weather. Confirm the pilot is licensed and insured and ask them to check municipal restrictions before booking aerials.

How long does a combined photo and video shoot typically take and what should sellers do the morning of the shoot?

Combined shoots commonly take 1.5 to 3 hours depending on property size. On the morning of the shoot, agents should follow the 30-minute pre-shoot checklist: declutter counters, turn on lights, open blinds, and ensure exterior areas are tidy.

What are the key things I should compare when choosing a local real estate media provider?

Compare deliverables and file formats, sample work in your market, HDR and drone capability, floorplan accuracy, turnaround time, revision policy, price transparency, and confirmed service area coverage.

Ready to book or request pricing? Visit Silver Valley Studios Inc. to view packages, check availability across Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island, and book a shoot.