Red Flags to Marketing and Selling a Home

Good point about the transacton details. That is so often left out of the details or not disclosed after a showing.

I have had listings that the seller did not want their photos put online.  They had been retired from law enforcement and just really did not want to show their home online.. needless to say the listing expired.  They took it off the market.  From time to time they get in touch with me saying they are thinking about trying it again...

Good points! Photos are the key to a prospective buyer keeping interested in the property and studying the details.

There are occassions a seller wants to limit the photos posted in the MLS or other real estate links because there may be "Fine Art" or other private items within the home.

Certainly an outside, front and back photo should be bare minimum.

Very few short sales actually state whether they are approved. Because few are approved unless the buyer has walked away or it's a HAFA or Wachovia. But I know you don't do short sales. Buyers are becoming more sophisticated. If I think it's going to take 4 months for approval, I tell them so. No sense getting them into escrow and doing all that work to have them cancel after 2 months because they don't want to wait four. I'd rather know this upfront, and so would they.

Hi Myrl, Our MLS allows for 20 photos and I have to usually sort as to which ones I have to  leave out. I tried a formula of 3 shots per room but I did one Kitchen recently with 5 photos and it wasn't even large. Different angles and a couple detail shots. I always say " if you got it, flaunt it". hehehe    But usually there is at least one money shot in the bunch . That one outstanding beautiful photo that  captures the flavor of a home, almost frameable.

Myrl that single only photo always spells trouble in my sight for what is INSIDE....

Great points about lack of comments.  I can almost tell without seeing the home that if there are no kitchen photos, there will be a problem.  With three different buyers who found "a great house" on the internet, I told them upfront my concerns about the condition because of the lack of photos of the kitchen or a lack of comments.  In all of the homes , it turned out the houses were not liveable as is. 

I say, put those photos out there up front.  Why waste every body's time.  If the home needs work, it will appeal to a certain type of buyer.  If it's liveable, another group of buyers.  But just TELL us or SHOW us.  Either photos or comments.  Let us know and we can show your home with the appropriate buyers.  Help us help you!!!!

Myrl, in my area I have noticed that it's mostly the short sales that seem to have one or no photo...and some even have a completely blank description! These are definitely a couple of red flags to watch out for, so thanks for posting about this topic. :)

Leilani

I couldn't agree with you more Myrl - since 80% of buyers start their home search online, those MLS pictures better be the best possible. It was interesting to read some of the reasons people don't want photos of the inside of their home taken (privacy, expensive art) but as you pointed out - it looks like they're trying to hide something. Interesting and informative post!

Myrl, it takes so little to take a few photos of a listing and whether it is good or bad shape, why not! It is a service to potetnial buyers, and it helps sell the listing.

Myrl,

Our St. Louis MLS requires at least a photo of the front.  I think more should be required!

Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO