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My Photos Lie...but I am not Going to Change Them

Many real estate agents have a computer generated feedback system in place for their listings, so that when a home is shown, the agent can let the seller know what buyers think of their home. It is a great way to get honest feedback about price, condition, etc.

Today I received some feedback on one of my listings. I had to chuckle at this one. Apparently I have been asked to put new photos of the home on the Multiple Listing System because the home looks nothing like the photos. In fact, the home is too small. Hmmm...the home is only 1000 square feet, so what were you actually expecting when you walked in?

I can only presume that my photographs made the home look like it is 2000 square feet, and now I can understand why the buyer was upset. Of course, the room sizes are available as well, but I guess they missed that one too.

Bottom line is that I take really good photos for my clients which helps receive more traffic through the home. Not everyone will be happy with a home they see, but if my photos get them in the door, at least they will know if it works for them. By the way, I won't be changing the photos any time soon.

Posted by Jennifer Kirby, the Luxury Agent on 06/15/2008 10:14 PM

Comments (19)

fun stuff, food for thought, photography

Originally posted at: The Minneapolis Real Estate Blog: My Photos Lie...but I am not Going to Change Them

Post is included in group: Photography

19 Comments on My Photos Lie...but I am not Going to Change Them

JUN

2008

It's an art to take photo's of the inside of homes. And your right our goal is to make that 4000 sq ft home look like 5000 and the 1000 sq ft home look like 2000!

If your getting those kind of complaints you are definately doing it right!

I would consider it a compliment if the home looks too good.. :-)

Yes, you must be a good photographer. Grat job

It is good... But, I would be interested in seeing the photos.

Well, that all depends on whether or not the pictures were "stretched" or not. I have seen many pictures and the homes that go with them, and it is very apparent when the agent, or whoever is taking the pictures, is stretching them to make the room look bigger. Most buyers will not understand what a stretched picture will look like, so they probably go into the home thinking that the rooms will be bigger and they are disappointed. So, I can understand what the buyer was complaining about.

They must be great and what a crazy thing to ask you to do! This is about as silly as once we were at a Drive Thru restaurant and the person over the speaker asked us to turn our car down. : )

JUN

2008

I wouldn't change a thing. You aren't doing anything deceptive - you just have a gift.

JUN

2008

Hi Jennifer...As long as your photos have not been altered to give a misleading impression they should be fine as is.

Kathleen

Jennifer -

Went to your website to see if I could find the property mentioned and wanted you to know that when I clicked the link for "My Listings", I got a 404 Error - Not FOund. Might want to check into that.

BTW, I will be not too far from you in a couple days - visiting family in New Hope for a few days. . . .

JUN

2008

Photos made the home look too big. And food doesn't come to me at a diner like in the ads. No kidding, Advertising photos ALWAYS are taken to show the product in the best light. Think Angelina Jolie!!

Shame on the agent for not checking out the sq ft before showing.

JUN

2008

can you post the link for your listing? I would love to see your photos! Thank you.

JUN

2008

It's amazing how agents want to blame others when they don't take the time to read a listing. It's like getting comments such as "no, they didn't like it, they wanted a pool" when the listing shows that there's no pool. Hmmm.

p.s. Don't change the photos.

JUN

2008

Hey guys, I had no idea I was getting comments as they haven't shown up in my emails. If you want to check out the photos, visit www.559ForestStreet.com . I have not doctored the photos, nor stretched them in anyway, but I did utilize a wide angle lens to fit in the rooms.

JUN

2008

Jennifer--That is too funny! Isn't that our job to get people into the listing. Don't change a thing...You obviously are an artist! ;)

I don't think your photos lie, I think they tell the story of this great little house.

We have an agent locally who uses a fish eye lens that makes 700 sqft look like 3500. That kind of distortation doesn't help anyone out.

I am a big fan of telling the truth through photos. If you have powerlines don't Photoshop them out of the photo, they'll still be there during the showing. If the house is affordable becuase it backs to the railroad, don't try and sneak that by the buyers.

JUL

2008

Jennifer - this one cracked me up - obviously you are doing a GREAT job for your clients :) You go girl.

JUL

2008

Thanks Cyndee - glad I could bring some humor into your life. How are things going in Florida?

Real Estate is busy - just slow to close - still struggling with short sales and foreclosures and the havoc they're playing with the market :) - How about you?

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