Does the homeowner need to be present during the scan?

No, it is preferable that the property is vacant during the scan to ensure the technician can work efficiently and without interruption. Access can be coordinated via a lockbox or a representative, and the property will be secured upon completion as instructed.

Is it better to scan a home empty or staged?

It's often better to err on the side of a clean, empty property if there's a risk that rented or personal furniture might distract a potential buyer. An empty space provides a neutral canvas. Furthermore, new AI-powered services, including Matterport's own "defurnish" option, can digitally empty a furnished space. While these AI renders can sometimes appear artificial, they present a viable alternative to spending time and money on staging that may not align with all buyers' tastes. However, it is important to consider the data: a study by the National Association of Realtors found that 81% of buyers' agents say staging helps buyers visualize a property as their future home. Ultimately, the decision is a strategic one for the seller and their agent; our role as professional photographers is to capture the property perfectly, in whichever state you decide is best for your marketing.

Can I password-protect my Matterport tour?

Yes. A Matterport tour can be set to private and password-protected. This is an excellent option if the tour's purpose is for personal documentation, insurance records, or sharing with a specific group like an interior designer or family members, in which case the intensive preparation for a public marketing tour is not necessary.

Preparing Your Home for a Matterport Tour: The Definitive Checklist

A beautifully prepared living room ready for a Matterport 3D scan, with clean surfaces and excellent lighting.

In today's real estate market, a Matterport 3D virtual tour is no longer a luxury; it's a foundational marketing asset. Data consistently shows its power: according to Zillow's 2025 housing trends report, listings with a 3D tour receive, on average, 50% more saves and are viewed 35% longer than those without. However, the effectiveness of this powerful tool is entirely dependent on one critical factor: preparation.

Unlike standard photography where imperfections can be hidden or edited, a Matterport scan captures everything. It creates an authentic digital twin of the property. This guide provides a definitive, three-phase checklist for homeowners and agents to ensure this digital twin is a flawless sales tool that maximizes a property's value.

The Core Principle: You are not just cleaning your house. You are curating a valuable digital asset that will serve as a 24/7 open house to a global audience. Every minute spent in preparation is a direct investment in the final sale price.

Phase 1: De-personalize & Declutter (The Day Before)

The primary goal of this phase is to create a neutral canvas that allows potential buyers to envision their own lives, not the seller's, in the space. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) notes that 81% of buyers' agents say staging helps buyers visualize a property as their future home.

General (All Rooms)

De-personalize Surfaces: Remove all personal photos, family heirlooms, children's artwork, and mail. This is the most crucial step in allowing buyers to emotionally connect with the space.
Declutter Everything: Clear every surface—tables, countertops, shelves—of unnecessary items. This includes remote controls, stacks of magazines, toys, and excess decor. A minimalist aesthetic makes rooms feel larger and more serene.
Hide All Cords and Wires: Unplug and conceal the web of electronic cables that power modern life. This creates a clean, uncluttered visual line.
Secure Pets & All Accessories: Ensure pets, along with their beds, bowls, toys, and crates, are completely removed from all areas to be scanned.

Kitchen

Clear Countertops Completely: Store away all small appliances (toasters, blenders, coffee makers), dish soap, sponges, paper towels, and knife blocks.
Sanitize the Refrigerator Exterior: Remove all magnets, photos, and calendars from the refrigerator door.

Bathrooms

Clear All Surfaces: Remove every personal toiletry from countertops, showers, and tubs. This includes toothbrushes, razors, soap bars, shampoo bottles, and medications.
Close Toilet Lids: This is a simple but critical detail for a clean, professional presentation.

Phase 2: Deep Clean & Detail (The Day Before)

The high-fidelity Matterport camera is unforgiving. It will see dust, smudges, and dirt that the human eye might miss. The goal is a level of clean that feels brand new.

Clean All Reflective Surfaces: Meticulously clean all windows, mirrors, glass tabletops, and polished appliance surfaces until they are completely streak-free. Reflections are a major part of a 3D tour, and smudges are highly visible.
Address the Floors: Thoroughly vacuum all carpets, paying special attention to the edges along the walls. Mop all hard floors to a shine.
Exterior and Entryways: The first impression matters. Sweep patios and the front entrance, put away gardening tools, neatly coil hoses, and cover barbecue grills. Remove all vehicles and bikes from the driveway and away from the front of the house.

Phase 3: Stage for the Camera (The Day Of)

These are the final touches that bring the space to life right before the technician arrives.

Turn On Every Single Light: This is the most important step on scan day. Switch on all overhead lights, lamps, under-cabinet lighting, and even oven and microwave lights. A bright home is an inviting home.
Replace Burnt Bulbs: Do a quick walkthrough to check for any non-working bulbs. For a cohesive look, ensure all bulbs in a single fixture are the same color temperature (e.g., all warm white or all cool white).
Open All Window Treatments: Open all curtains and blinds fully to maximize natural light. Ensure they are adjusted to the same level for a clean, uniform look.
Turn Off All Motion: Ceiling fans, televisions, and computer monitors must be turned off to prevent motion blur and distracting reflections in the scan.
Perform a Final Walkthrough: Do one last sweep of every room to catch any stray items. The home should be exactly as you want it to appear in the final, permanent tour.

A Note on Privacy and Purpose

The extensive preparation outlined above is for creating a public-facing marketing asset designed to sell a property. However, Matterport tours have many other uses. If your goal is to create a digital twin for insurance documentation, architectural planning, or to share privately with family or an interior designer, this level of staging is unnecessary. **Matterport tours can be password-protected**, giving you complete control over who can view the space. In these cases, a scan of the home in its normal, lived-in state is perfectly acceptable and often more useful.

Analysis

The time invested in preparation is a direct investment in the property's marketing power. A clean, well-lit, and de-personalized home, when presented through a high-fidelity Matterport tour, captivates buyers, builds confidence, and can directly contribute to a faster sale at a higher price. This checklist provides the framework to create a world-class digital asset that works for you 24/7.