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A picture is worth... the sales price? NOT

By
Real Estate Agent with Atlantic & Pacific Real Estate

Up until recently I focused most of my attention on Listings. But, as my buyer appointments increase, I am just dumbfounded by the photos posted in MLS. I most certainly am NOT the best photographer either. But really?? If there is any advice I can give the consumer, ask to proof the photos that are being posted. As simple as it might sound, search for your home online to get a good idea of how your home is being advertised. Buyers are online, sometimes months before they even talk with a Realtor.

Of course I may be way off base by assuming that the same Agents posting these terrible pictures are at least advertising you home. If they are, then you have to imagine that 1,000's of potential buyers are seeing your unmade beds, dirty dishes, cluttered floors and that beautiful tree in the front of your house. Oh, wait, that was the front of your house behind that beautiful tree.

expired listings

 

                            The listing price of this home $995,000.

    If you can't splurge for an aerial, let me suggest: Google Maps.

 

I am also a firm believer in staging. 99% of our listings are staged and we post photos AFTERwe stage the home. But, even some of the greatest listings can have bad pictures. Say for example you post pictures of a spare bedroom or powder room. Do you just see a picture of the bed? or toilet? A vacant home with lots of pictures of bare rooms and no descriptions? That's pretty bad too, and certainly doesn't make my list of "must see's".

flower mound expired listingHallelujah! This home has a media room.

 

 

my listing expired

 

                               "A Wall of windows with lots of Light"

 

expired listings

 

This is probably a great house, but is it worth the gas to find out?

 

Of course, the worst of the worst - NO PICTURE AVAILABLE. So you are basically telling me, "Not worth my time to see".

So... if you currently have your house on the market and haven't seen the advertising, Call your Realtor!

For the record, none of the above pictures came from Short Sales or Foreclosures. And, if you think they aren't your competition? Think again! Even some of the Lenders are cleaning up when they have to. The truth is, these photos came from Expired Listings. Are you still wondering why your home did not sell?

If you see your house, and want to try again, give us a call - your photos won't be an issue!

 

Posted by

Thanks for reading the The Trinity Group Real Estate Blog covering Southeast Denton County!

Posted by: Leigh Bates ~ Realtor, Keller Williams Prestonwood ~ The Trinity Group

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Comments(10)

Vickie Slade
Colorado Landmark, Realtors - Boulder, CO
Service You Can Trust ~ Someone You Can Depend On

Leigh, great post.  So many times, I pass over listings when prospecting for my buyers, because the photos on the MLS are, shall we say "less than desirable."

 

Aug 09, 2010 05:34 PM
Bob & Leilani Souza
Souza Realty 916.408.5500 - Roseville, CA
Greater Sacramento Area Homes, Land & Investments

I wholeheartedly agree, Leigh! Every seller should review their own home's MLS printout for accuracy and look at all of the photos posted, as well. Another thing to watch out for are those "public remarks" written by listing agents that just say, "Nice home." :)

Leilani

Aug 09, 2010 05:36 PM
Bryan Watkins
LRA Real Estate Group - Mesa, AZ

We have to put up a picture of the front elevation on our MLS or we will get fined and be in big trouble. I agree with your post.

Aug 09, 2010 05:39 PM
Lydia Pollard
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc. Brokerage - Mississauga, ON

Leigh, I agree with all your comments...especially
the worst of the worst - NO PICTURE AVAILABLE.

Aug 09, 2010 05:43 PM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

Hi Leigh - I know your frustration. I wish more listing agents understood just how important photos can be to getting the home shown and sold.

Aug 09, 2010 05:48 PM
Jesus Sotelo Carrillo
Capitol Real Estate Group - Visalia, CA

Leigh,

I can't believe some agents don't upload pictures to the MLS. It frustrates me and frustrates my buyers. The quality of pictures some agents use is also unbelievable. 

Aug 09, 2010 05:55 PM
Leigh Bates
Atlantic & Pacific Real Estate - Flower Mound, TX
The Trinity Group

Vickie - unless my buyers specifically want to see it, or a lack of inventory, I do the same.

Leilani- descriptions are soo important too in the remarks and for the photos. We ask the seller to provide us with a descriptive, pointing out what SOLD them on the home. We edit as needed and it helps from sounding so redundant. "Nice Home." "Great Location"

Bryan - I am a fan of that rule. Our MLS doesn't police photos and should. I almost added a photo of the shed, that someone posted as the front elevation... OOPS!

Lydia- another, unless my buyers ask specifically, it usually doesn't make the list. Such a shame. The inspiration of this post came from a listing down the street in my neighborhood. It is listed with my firm, and I soo badly want to tell my neighbor why 3 other homes on the same street have sold and theirs hasn't! (or give the listing agent a few photo pointers)

Aug 09, 2010 05:57 PM
Leigh Bates
Atlantic & Pacific Real Estate - Flower Mound, TX
The Trinity Group

John - can't sell it, if you you don't have showings! In Real Estate, a book is judged by it's cover!

Jesus- pure laziness - IMO. I also get really annoyed when photos are copied from the previous listing, but that's another story.

Aug 09, 2010 06:00 PM
Tim Lorenz
TIM LORENZ - Elite Home Sales Team - Mission Viejo, CA
949 874-2247

I find it amazing how the agents do not understand there own business.

Aug 09, 2010 06:24 PM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

I haven't seen any recent posts from you, are you still active in RE and blogging?

Jul 27, 2019 09:26 PM