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Only 5 Pictures? Thanks For Including the Bathtub!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

While looking at listings online, I am always amazed when agents don't put up more pictures. I understand if it is bank-owned, or not in the best shape. Let's admit it, sometimes the home doesn't have many "picture worthy" qualities.

I came upon a listing that had only 5 pictures. This listing had expired- shocker! Here is a list of what the agent decided to take pictures of:

1. Outside of the home- it was blurry, but good choice. Everyone wants to see the front of the home.

2. Picture of mountains- Again- very blurry, but good choice. I doubt this was the view from this house though.

3. The Bathtub- No, I am not kidding.

4. The bathroom mirror- still NOT kidding.

5. The inside of the shower-Wow!

 

So, after looking at this listing online, all potential home buyers will probably rush out to see this home with the great views, nice tub, mirror and shower. I feel badly for the agent if that is all that was picture- worthy.

Our MLS allows 16 pictures of listings and they can be uploaded with captions. It amazes me when agents do not take advantage of this. Homes with more pictures get more views- it is a fact!

 

 

Posted by

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Kristi DeFazio is a Realtor in Colorado Springs

Call for a free market analysis of  your home or set up a listing search with a webpage, tailored to meet your needs.

If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Colorado Springs or the surrounding areas, give Kristi a call today.

Kristi DeFazio

RE/MAX Advantage

719-459-5468

kristidefazio@remax.net

Search for Homes in Colorado Springs

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Comments (131)

Violetta Polyakov
Florida Home Consulting - Мы Говорим По Русски - Boynton Beach, FL
Broker/Owner

I would share a laugh with all of you, but I will not simply because picture situation is horrible.  MLS is requesting 6 pictures minimum or listing will not be displayed, and seller ( in this case REO asset manager) does not allow any pictures with damages or negative conditions to be placed on MLS.  What do you do?  What if your house exterior is missing siding, roof and most windows are boarded up?  What if there are holes in the walls of every room, mold on every door, floor, and ceiling surface?  What if your back yard has not one inch of grass in it?  You have to be VERY creative - you either upload picture of winterized toilet - in case there is a toilet in the house and not just a hole in the floor.  Or you place a picture of mountains, beach, streets, aerial views, etc because you have to have 6 pictures there, remember?

Aug 14, 2011 08:49 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Well at least they spared you the shot of the toilet.  Sometimes I wonder what people are thinking.

Aug 14, 2011 11:05 AM
Rick Wine
Prudential Northeast Properties - Waterville, ME

Hello, Kristi:

I'm reminded of a quote I heard several years ago: "The hardest thing about getting to the top is finding your way through the bottom".  Good (snd funny) post

Aug 14, 2011 01:21 PM
Kerry Jenkins
Prime Properties - Crestline, CA

What really drives me crazy is when an agent only takes one or 2 photos of a listing and it's listed over $300k...that just makes me mad. How can they list with this agent and NOT care that they only have one picture online?????

Aug 14, 2011 05:11 PM
Maggie Valle
Champions Real Estate Services - Seattle, WA

Kristi, thanks for writing about one of my biggest pet peeves about listed properties.  Bad photos, or photos of the same room numerous times is not showing the home in its total.  I agree. Some of the photos that amaze me aside from the five that you described, are the numerous ones of the backyard or the kitchen. The agent notes describe three bedrooms and 2 baths, but out of 12 photos half are of two areas, neither of which the buyer is going to sleep in.  Great blog!  

Aug 15, 2011 08:30 AM
Deb Espinoza
Stage Presence Homes, San Diego Real Estate - Ramona, CA
GRI, Broker, SRS,ABR ePro, SFR, CNE

Kristi- great topic! and the other most annoying thing is when an agent has a listing that is occupied and won't allow showings until AFTER an accepted offer and there's not a single photo of the inside of the property. Seriously?? what are agents thinking??? DUH- "here's your sign"

Aug 15, 2011 09:44 AM
Anonymous
Bobi

Thankfully most agents are great salesman but unfortunately they're not all wonderful photographers... However, that doesn't mean that there isn't room for improvement. Our four (4) agents were not always the terrific photo takes they are now but part of it is we invested in a better digital camera with things like shake resistance and a high mega pexel. Along with that I have forwarded them some tips on improving their shots (some that we've even got from the RAIN) and they have used all of these to really make their pictures shine. Being the Marketing Administrator, I do insist that they have a full array of photos (generally 25) covering everything from the exterior, the view, the cellar to the attic and then weed through what is important to most buyers.

Aug 15, 2011 09:49 AM
#118
Larry & Jacque Ficek
Alaska Dream Makers - Wasilla, AK
Realtors - Wasilla Alaska

Kristi, so they didn't have any extra room on the memory card for the inevitable pics of the photographer in the bathroom mirror? Those and, as mentioned above, the open toilet seat of course.

They forgot to add the photos that highlight the kitty litter box...dern it!

Jacque & Larry

 

Aug 15, 2011 10:01 PM
Ric Mills
Keller Williams Southern Az - Tucson, AZ
Integrity, Honesty, and Vast Real Estate Knowledge

It is called Lazy and unprofessional.  WE are trying to set a minimum im MLS of 15 for a home and 4 for land, but it won't stop the lazy unprofessional agent from putting in the same picture 16 times unless you file a complaint.  Let's make it tough on them and maybe they will go do something they are good at, like washing cars.

Aug 16, 2011 05:10 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

I am wondering if the homeowner has seen the photos!

Aug 16, 2011 01:38 PM
Carrie Sampron
Home Smart Realty Group - Highlands Ranch, CO
ABR SFR & Kathy Sampron (303) 931-3629 Highlands R

Kristi: You know what I don't get, with all the different websites this listing will post to the home owner never takes the time to look at what their agent has put out there to represent their home. It boggles the mind! Carrie

Aug 17, 2011 11:02 AM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

WOW Kristi, where was VB hiding when you posted this wonderful feature, great post and I think good photos are very important when it comes to selling a home.

Vegas Bob ;o)

Aug 20, 2011 05:55 PM
DEBORAH STONE
Balboa Real Estate San Diego, CA - San Diego, CA


    
    OMG---this is a huge pet peeve of mine---like does it cost anything to take more photos? This is just laziness with a capital "L".
      

Aug 22, 2011 08:50 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Kristi, Congratulations on the feature - one thing is certain, listing photos are a major hot  button!   You can tell from all the comments, and you're absolutely right about getting as many quality photos as we possible can- it helps!

Aug 22, 2011 09:06 AM
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

16 pictures is great!  In 2004 our MLS only allowed 5 photos.  A few years later they raised it to 10.  I wish it were 15 or 16 and captions would be great! -Kasey

Aug 24, 2011 06:59 PM
Liane Thomas, Top Listing Agent
Professional Realty Services® - Corona, CA
Bringing you Home!

My fave is 3 pictures, all 3 of the outside of the house from different angles!

Aug 28, 2011 08:11 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

I usually shoot over 50 photos and then pick out the best to use.

Sep 17, 2011 12:24 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Perhaps this bathtub was a new addition to the home ?  Or... maybe the point might have been that this home was one of the few in the neighborhood that even HAD a bathtub ?

Sep 17, 2011 01:32 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Kristi,

Pictures do speak a 1000 words and there is no excuse for not finding close to the allotted number allowed in your MLS (ours is 25) to showcase your listing in its most favorite light!!

Sep 17, 2011 02:32 PM
Elisa Uribe Realtor #01427070
Golden Gate Sotheby's International - Berkeley, CA
Opening the Doors to California Homes -East Bay

Well, if your post generated 131 replies, the bathtub picture was the way to go, only not for selling the house but making fun of the photos:)

Nov 04, 2011 05:45 PM