Sometimes NO Pictures is the better choice

As a photographer. When I'm called in to photograph some flats or units usually I like to spend a bit of time and get one shot of the kitchen. And a shot showing how large the place is interior wise. But most time is spent outside to get some half decent shots of the yard/ Buildings.  Most people don't want to see the inside especially if the tenants are staying.

I have properties in my radar like this all the time. I could sell this baby in a heartbeat even with those photos compared to what some of the inner city properties are like. This photo is an eye catcher indeed, but not the first photo of the series. I wouldn't have include the @#*!! on the wall photo, but the rest just show what it looks like. No issues to me. If the price reflects the location and condition it will sell to an investor in no time at all.

It is much better to show inside pictures as opposed to a buyer having  "visions of granduer" only to become truly disappointed.  Not so much the above picture, that looks more like a health concern.  However, including pictures of the  kitchen, living room and other main spaces will usually tell most of the story to the rest of the home.  

On the other side of the coin, it's about the BEST truth in advertising there is!  These types of photos show the condition of the property and that's what buyers want to see.  This one is probably priced to sell, no??  Needs some TLC and if buyers aren't able to see passed that, then this is NOT the house I'd be showing them.  Might be a time saver.

I say any pic is better than no pic. I am a visual person so pics really help even if they are disgusting. those types of homes are money makers in my area. Id buy that and flip it in a heartbeat.

What most of us see as an ugly wall investors see $$$ to be saved!  Ugly pics are better than NO pics.  A majority of ugly homes are bought by someone, very small percentage of these expire  compared to traditional sales!  Agents who sell uglies usually do a large volume of them.

If it's a distressed property that will most likely be selling only to investors then I'd upload a photo like this one. If I'm still trying to market the home to traditional buyers that's a catch-22. If you upload the bad photos for full disclosure then some buyers won't even look at the house. But if you don't show the true condition of the home and buyers show up to see a disheveled mess then they'll be upset and turned off that they were misled. 

I work in a predominant manufactured home enviroment and I have to say that the pictures taken of these homes is the worst. If I were an agent I can't imagine having my name associated with these poorly staged photographs. I would simply tell the client to clean and stage the home before the photo shoot or there is going to be NO photo shoot.

While there's a potential buyer for most any property, I think most people, even investors, would rather have some insight into the condition rather than have their expectations dashed after they've taken the time and trouble to see it in person.

Thus, I'd rather present the faults up front than to have prospective buyers picturing something else in their heads. I definitely wouldn't use the "what's that brown spot on the wall" picture though! 

Definitely not a photo I would use. Instead I would note the general repairs needed, and only include shots of the exterior. Let the buyer make their rehab decisions on site rather than eliminating the house online.

I am not just a Broker but also an Investor. I think it is a mistake not to upload photos to your listing. I do agree that the Board of Realtors should hold a class teaching basic photography skills. With today's Androids, iPhones and tablets everyone is a photographer and that is the reason why we see so many tasteless selfies of people in the bathroom standing in front of a toilet while the toilet still has contents. The pictures that get me the most are the ones where the "person pretending to be a photographer" could easily had moved a trash can, or hid the clutter just by changing the angle but doesn't. It used to be that a photograph was a huge deal and folks would go out of their way to dress up and show their better side. Well a house is the same way. There is nothing we as Agents can do about the condition of the property. Do not hide what the property is all about. If its a castle it should show as such and if it isn't well it simply isn't. As an Investor I do not always have time to see each and every property so I prefer having some sort of idea. As to what is on the wall, you may be standing in a crime scene. Good luck!

Spirit, while the photo would not attract say a family with young children, it might be just the ticket for an investor that might have great visions of improving and flipping the property or renting it. It might say to them "value", discount, etc.

First of all, why take a picture of a wall?  Really.  Why?  Unless the wall has a unique selling feature, it's not worth a photo.  What was the agent trying to communicate?  Looks more like a home inspection photo to me.

A property should be shown in its true light, the good, the bad and the ugly! BTW, that is a digusting stain Spirit!

Actually, I do post pictures regardless of the condition, even those student occupied rental properties near the University. First of all, someone who wants turn-key isn't going to buy it anyway and, second, photos of "ugly" listings still provide an indication of the floorplan, room sizes, etc. and help a buyer to imagine the potential. If they knowingly go see the actual property, it seldom looks as bad as they expected!

I would find something that I could post with the listing or investment property. maybe an aerial or a picture(s) of the neigborhood or a picture(s) of a nearby shopping area or restuarant that you could hipe up.  It is Marketing 101.  It is our job to find that redeeming quality in a property and own every second of it! 

YUCK>>>>  makes me glad  that the photos do not carry the smell of this place.  Back in the foreclosure days would have to show a dump like this, and i still cant get the smell out of my olfactory memory.  Thank God real estate photos don't Carry anything more than the memory of smell. 

Best wishes for a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Good Thursday morning -

As I look at this I just shake my head.  Our local MLS recently decided to make at least one exterior photo mandatory.  You should see some of those pictures.

I can't imagine putting this picture up. Yes, no picture is so much better.