Hi All,

Let's face it, if we were all given our druthers, there is not a one of us that wouldn't love to always have the most beautiful listing on the block.  And sometimes we do, sometimes the baby is beautiful... but sometimes, sometimes that baby is butt ugly, then what do you do? 

Well I don't know about you, but this one seems to be a no-brainer to me.  I believe in truth in advertising, I believe that honesty is the best policy and I believe that there is someone for everyone (which explains my ability to marry :-).  There is nothing that gets my spidey senses thrumming quite so quickly as inaccurate, misleading or just plain missing listing pictures. 

Sure, we all want to present our listing in its best light, but putting up one crummy picture shot from across the street and down the block or through enough filtering to make Grandma Moses look like Suri Cruise is not doing anyone any favors. 

And what does it say about you and your integrity if you are starting off your relationship with a potential buyer based upon a creative presentation of the information (read that lie)?

Even if the place is a wreck, saying or better yet showing its current condition is really the better way to go.  Think about it, what is your and your client's real goal?  is it to have everyone in the state calling you and trooping through the place, but not writing an offer because its not what they expected or wanted, or is it to have the folks who are looking for a property like this one to be able to find it quickly and easily?

Sometimes, we really do have to remember that pretty and ugly truly are in the eye of the beholder.  And this is especially true if the home's current owner is "Decorating Impaired".  They love their purple shag carpet and their orange walls and someone else might too.  As long as you prepare your seller for the prospect that the folks looking at their home might not e bthe creative visionaries that they are and will probably ask for a carpet and paint allowance, all should still be good.

So if you have the ugly baby on the block, present it with love, kindness and accuracy, let it's good points shine through, and rest assured that somewhere out there is someone who will see through its faults to the beauty within and will love it for what it is and not what it isn't.

Take care all, help lots of people and have a wonderful day!

Tisza