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Yes, Here is Another Batch of No-No Photos!

By George Sheldon

Services for Real Estate Pros with George Sheldon Photographer

October 26, 2007 01:34 AM

It's the time again ... here comes some more no-no photos. These are some of my selections of photos that should not be used to market homes. The idea of nominating photos as no-no's is to help develop a critical eye and to edit images. Although this batch makes it easy to see why they are no-no's, hopefully they will continue to offer ideas of what NOT to do. Here we go:

Wow. What a marketing photo. I wonder if this property has a roof? Why bother driving out to the property during DAYLIGHT to get a photo when you can create this one at dusk. I wonder what is to the right and left of the door?

Peek-a-boo! A perfectly blurred potty back there, past a very nice washer and dryer... and you wonder why this one made it on my no-no list?

Available now! A nice love seat, has been fully protected against Fluffy's sharp toe nails. Oh, wait... I am not selling a love seat, I am selling a house. Sorry, I forgot.

Hmmm. If the corner of the counter looks like this.... does this kitchen have a sink? A floor? It does have a corner cabinet ...

Mystery photo (hear the do-do-do music) like it's a haunted place? What lurks past this door way?

And just when you thought I couldn't post more no-no photos, warning! More are coming soon!

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Carl Martens

Geneva, IL

I can't believe Realtors would actually publish these pictures and use them in their marketing...I'd be surprised if these people continue to practice real estate for very long. If they do, I want to know what they are doing enabling them to market with such terrible photos and still make a living.

Oct 26, 2007 01:39 AM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

George, I'm still stuck on the laundry/bathroom photo. They are doing their clients a terrible disservice, what a shame.

Oct 26, 2007 01:43 AM

Chelle Gassan

RE/MAX Regency and Staged Homes VA - Bristow, VA

NOVA Realtor and Stager

With the internet being the first place people start to look for homes, why would anyone put a crappy photo of their listing on the web? If the listing doesn't show well, then don't take any pictures except for the outside. But even a creative photographer can make some parts of a house look good with the camera.

This drives me nuts, too!

Oct 26, 2007 01:46 AM

Stella Barbour

NoVa Brokers LLC - Vienna, VA

Principal Broker, Serving Virginia and Maryland

I actually can't believe the photos you find. I guess they just don't care about selling the property.

Oct 26, 2007 01:54 AM

. .

US Property and Appraisal - Pittsburgh, PA

I would have bought the 1st home just because of the lovely wooden toilet seat.

Oct 26, 2007 01:59 AM

The All Pro Team

EXIT Realty Leaders - Crystal River, FL

Honestly, what was the agent thinking when they took these pictures. I know not everyone is up to staging, but for heaven sakes, use your brain.

Brandon Causey

Coastal Palmetto Realty LLC - Loris, SC

Realtor, Coastal Palmetto Realty LLC

Love these...I'll have to show you some off our mls...It continues to amaze me.

Oct 26, 2007 02:04 AM

Terry & Bonnie Westbrook

Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI

Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

I'm sure I have a few "BAD" pictures out there in cyberspace, too. I guess you just have to laugh...I did. But if I was the seller I don't think I 'd be laughing........

Oct 26, 2007 02:12 AM

Bruce Goughnour

Sugar Hill, GA

Atlanta Associate Broker

George - good timing - I JUST hit send on an email counseling one of our agents about using her cell phone camera for her client's MLS photos - 20 year veteran at that - the photos were just so blurry it was an embarrassment for our office and she had taken one photo of what APPEARS to be the back deck, but at the same time it looked like a woodpile - never did figure out exactly what it was.

Oct 26, 2007 02:26 AM

Rhonda Walker

Long & Foster REALTORS - Springfield, VA

ABR, e-PRO VA Real Estate

These pictures are hilarious. Just recently I came across one in our mls that was sideways AND it was the main picture - the front of the house! What makes it worse is that it had been listed like that for over 2 months. I guess they never went back to view their listing.

Oct 26, 2007 02:36 AM

Daniel J. Brudnok, REALTOR

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach, REALTORS - Exton - PA License #RS-225179-L / Delaware License #RS-0025038 - Downingtown, PA

SRES, e-PRO,ABR,GREEN,CSP

George,

Again you have me always on my toes when I take my pictures....I Do Not Want To End Up In One Of Your BLOGs!!!!!!

Oct 26, 2007 03:52 AM

George Sheldon

George Sheldon Photographer - Lancaster, PA

Dan:

Keeping you on your toes is a good thing! And my job.

George

Oct 26, 2007 04:26 AM

Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker

Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA

The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

George, where do you come up with so many no-no photos. It really amazes me of some of the photos these agents take. I wonder if they ever sell the homes with these photos.

Oct 26, 2007 04:39 AM

Bill Gassett

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA

Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

George - There is no doubt that these are terrible photos. I would like to bring something to your attention though...Do you realize that if the person who took these photos happens to stumble upon your blog and finds them that you could be sued for copywright violation? I know, I know, people do it all the time and there are countless posts like this on AR. People today are sue happy though and you could find yourself in court :) There are actually a few posts on AR about what I just told you. See any of Lenn Harley's posts about Copywright - they are enough to scare anyone away from doing it.

Oct 27, 2007 03:14 AM

Joan Snodgrass

Midamerica Referral Network - Kimberling City, MO

Ghastly - almost as bad as some I've seen on our mls

Oct 27, 2007 09:54 AM

Sandy Bacon

MacDoc Realty - Fredericksburg, VA

This reminds me of a time when I had a client who absolutely insisted that we take a picture of the laundry room that she and her husband had "built" themselves. It was a small walk-in closet only big enough for the washer and dryer and it was in the dining room/kitchen area. No matter what I said they insisted that picture be posted and shown in every ad I ran. Never have I been so eager to get done with a listing. It was humiliating and I could have ended up here in your blog!!!

Oct 27, 2007 11:05 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

If this is all of one property, and the inside looks like this, just take ONE front photo of the house and call it good. These would scare people off. But the front photo HAS to be in the day time. I have my standards.

Oct 27, 2007 12:15 PM

Yes, Here is Another Batch of No-No Photos!

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