The AVS Journal
Preparing an Occupied Home for Matterport Capture
Preparing an occupied home for Matterport capture requires a coordinated plan for belongings, access and movement. Make the included spaces ready before the appointment and choose where occupants and pets can remain without appearing in active capture areas or reflections.
Prepare rooms in every visible direction
Clear paperwork, laundry, packaging and small distractions from surfaces and floors. Check mirrors, glass doors and screens for private information or reflected clutter. Keep furniture arranged for normal use and leave circulation routes open. A room prepared only for one still-photo angle may reveal unfinished areas during tour capture.
Agree on included and excluded spaces
Give AVS a list of rooms, levels and separate areas expected in the tour. Identify any private or inaccessible rooms early. Use an agreed excluded area for temporary storage instead of repeatedly moving belongings into the next room. Confirm keys, gates and other access arrangements before the session begins.
Coordinate the household around the capture route
Choose one person to answer questions and let the production team direct when spaces need to be clear. Arrange pets with their owner and avoid moving through adjoining doorways during active capture. If photography is also booked, keep preparation consistent so the tour and gallery represent the same arrangement.
Example: a home office in daily use
An illustrative owner can finish work before the appointment, put away documents and move essential equipment into an agreed excluded space. If the office itself must be shown, prepare its entire visible area rather than hiding cables and papers behind a single desk angle.
Occupied-home checklist
- Confirm the capture scope and access.
- Prepare whole rooms and connecting paths.
- Remove private information and inspect reflections.
- Arrange occupants, pets and one responsible contact.
Frequently asked questions
Can residents stay during capture?
Discuss this with AVS. They may be able to remain outside the active area, but movement and reflections need coordination throughout the session.
Can clutter be removed digitally later?
Do not rely on that. Ask about a specific correction if needed, but physical preparation is the more dependable way to keep unwanted items out of the tour.
Platform reference: Matterport’s real estate tour overview.
