Prep your home for photography.  I could really write an entire blog entry just on this one subject.  But the down and dirty is - the opposite of dirty really, clean clean clean and clear those counter tops and dressers.  Take some practice pictures of your space and if its feels cluttered in the practice photo - clear it up more.

Lighting
Never take your photos at night.  Natural daylight is best.  Turn all lights on and ceiling fans off.  Open the curtains and blinds to let lots of natural light in.

Getting the shot
Take shots from each corner of the room. From the corner you'll get the most in the shot.  Have the camera angle straight on to avoid any sort of distortion.  You'll want to feel out the height of the tripod to avoid too much ceiling or too much furniture in the shot.   No need for photos of inside the closet or garage unless they are extra ordinary.  

Good equipment
Using a tripod will eliminate any blurriness.  A wide angle lens will help you capture more of the room.   And for goodness sake, do not use one of those silly wide angle lens made for cell phones that will distort the image, don't use a cell phone camera for that matter.  A high quality camera will allow you to adjust your shutter speed and aperture for the best pictures. 

Editing Software
Yes, you should use it to touch up your photos, but be careful not to use it too much.  There is nothing worse than a photo that looks like a computer generated image.  


*** A professional photographer should really be used to stay competitive in today's real estate market, but still great tips to be sure you're getting what you need out of your real estate photographer.