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You Have But One Chance to Make a First Impression

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Home Jane Realty BRE# 01439865

I check new listings manually every day on the MLS rather than setting up automatic notifications and I look forward to checking out each new listing to see if it matches any of my clients' needs. (Patting myself on the back). One of my biggest pet peeves is seeing a new listing put on the market that might be good but has no photos.

Our MLS does require photos to be entered but I believe there is a grace period. I think there should be no grace period. An agent should not be able to enter a listing if they have no photos. Why? In my case I don't forward listings without photos. The description does not do it for me; I need to see what the property looks like. I am not sure if agents realize they are not serving their clients well by entering properties into the MLS without photos because I am sure there are many agents who will pass the listing by and not come back to it. I actually transfer these kinds of listings into a cart to check on later, which is more than the agent deserves, but I sometimes forget about it, and it languishes.

I cannot think of one reason why an agent has not been able to take photos of a property they probably knew they were going to be listing for a while. I was in a brainstorming session at our MLS with another agent who suggested that maybe the agent went on a listing presentation the night before and had to put it on the market in a hurry. Yup, sounds feasible to me (eyes rolling). Even if that were true, I think waiting a day while they took some temporary photos would not derail the deal. It is mind boggling to see how many listings come on the market without photos, or even more head scratching, photos take in the rain. This is Southern California!

If you put your home on the market, make sure your agent has at least taken some photos, or you may not have to worry about that first impression. There may be no impression at all.

 

Comments (60)

Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Michael Jacobs Oh yes, the bad photos. But at least they made some kind of effort.

Kimo Jarrett Not a lot. I would dread working with an agent who can't get their ducks in a row from the beginning.

 

Jul 06, 2017 02:13 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Luke Acree I completely agree. That or poor management skills.

S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL All valid points. It is a shame that we have to do the agent's work for them by digging deep. 

Jul 06, 2017 02:14 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Kathy Streib I really think they miss out by doing this. Too sad.

Jul 06, 2017 02:16 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

It's like the kiss of death to put a listing out there before you're prepared. I think part of the problem is sellers expect a certain on market date and listing agents don't always factor in how long it will take a photographer to shoot, process and deliver said photos. There is a lag time. Not every photographer is on the ball. 

Plus, there are some agent who, sad to say, just don't give a crap.

On top of which, there are clueless agents who don't know that once a listing is published in MLS, making changes to that listing does not mean those changes are populated on other websites down the line. That MLS data is scraped only once on many sites. So they are hosed.

Jul 06, 2017 03:48 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Yes, it DOES make a huge difference, Jane! I always wonder if other agents feel sorry for the sellers who are robbed of a great agent - I do!

Jul 06, 2017 05:06 PM
Melissa Spittel
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Westminster, MD
"Achieving Results Together "

I'm often amazed by the listed homes that have 1-3 photos. Those listings stay active month after month. Are the homeowners even aware why their home isn't receiving any activity? Mind boggling. If only sellers would do their research before hiring their listing agent.

Jul 06, 2017 07:50 PM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Jane, I am with you all the way on this one & can't fathom EVER doing this one!

Jul 07, 2017 05:19 AM
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

This can be frustrating but I can see some situations where the agent is unable to take a photo for a day or two. Maybe the owner walked in and wanted it listed immediately but needs a day to cut the grass and prune the trees before taking a photo? Personally, I would do everything I could do post something.

The ones that get my goat are the million-dollar listings with two photos of the outside or the listing with "amazing 360 views" but all the pictures are of the inside.

Jul 07, 2017 05:40 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Jane, I like that you put those "photoless" listings in another bucket and circle back around for your clients- buyers working with you won't miss out.

Jul 07, 2017 05:43 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents I will go with your middle paragraph on this one.

Melissa E. Spittel They really should. Not all agents are created equal.

Ginny Gorman because you are a good agent.

 

 

Jul 07, 2017 12:21 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Nathan Gesner Ah yes, those million dollar listings with few and bad photos. Mind boggling.

Mary Douglas Yup. Doing the agent's job for them.  :(

 

Jul 07, 2017 12:32 PM
Laura Filip
Laura Filip Broker , Opening doors for All Seasons of Life - Whitesboro, TX
What can we do for you today?

Yes Ma'am that is true one shot to make it last a lifetime. One chance to get the job done right. 

Jul 07, 2017 05:06 PM
Larry Brewer - Benchmark Realty llc
Benchmark Realty LLc - Nashville, TN

Hi Jane - It seems to happen a lot here in Nashville. I think the agents have just gotten lazy because everything sells, even without the pictures. I do believe the pictures will help get a higher price, but some agents don't really care. Love your website, it looks great.

Jul 10, 2017 10:14 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Laura Filip RE/MAX UTOPIA | 903-271-4978 Absolutlely right.

Larry Brewer - Benchmark Realty llc Thank you. I appreciate it.

Jul 12, 2017 12:27 PM
Gwen Banta
Sotheby's International Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Jane, it's no wonder you are so good at what you do. I always review each listing and then forward to my clients if appropriate. Yes, it takes extra time, but it shows that I pay attention to detail, which is what every client wants. Why send a house on a corner if they are set against living on a corner lot. That is a sure-fire way to show you are on auto-pilot and not personalizing their home search. "The devil is in the details!"

Aug 28, 2017 06:59 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

I can think of a couple of reasons:

  • lazy agent
  • agent wants to double end the deal so makes a bad first impression
Sep 04, 2017 07:53 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Totally true, Jane. It's so annoying. I tell our listing clients - everything has to be perfect and ready to go on list day. Videos, photos, flyers, etc. All the pieces in place. We have one chance to make that big splash. 

Sep 23, 2017 12:03 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD  It is amazing to me how this happen so oftenn. I am sure many listing fall by the wayside because of this.

 

Sep 23, 2017 02:19 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

Unless our sellers request it in writing, we must post a photo to MLS right away. 

Oct 13, 2017 09:04 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Michelle Carr-Crowe-Top 1% Diamond Certified Real Estate Team Sells Cupertino San Jose Homes-Just Call 408-252-8900 I think we have 3 days to enter one, but still.

Oct 14, 2017 12:02 PM