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What do we call this room?

By
Real Estate Agent with Galleria International Realty

 darkroom

I did a search earlier for a perspective client  when I came across the following pictue (yes, this was in my local MLS). 

What do I call this?  The arcade?  Bring your Pac-Man console and you're good to go.  Wocka wocka wocka.

Or shall we call it the darkroom?  Who needs Ofoto when you have your own in-house lab!  We'll call it the Pulitzer room.

Seriously, if you do not have a picture that highlights an area of a house, then don't insert it.  If there isn't enough light to capture a good picture, then skip over to other parts of the home that will show it off in a good way.  Obviously we would all like to have a professional photographer snap great pictures for our listings, however there is an economic reality that prevents us all from being able to do so.  Therefore we must compromise.  But compromise does not mean throw anything up there.  Our job is to sell homes, thus our listings must have clear pictures that are inviting to buyers.

FYI, this picture was even smaller on my MLS and less clear.  At least it's larger here.

Now the big question:  should I bring my Atari 2600 if my client decides he wants to see this listing?  I'm thinking a round of Combat or maybe Asteroids...... 

 

Comments(18)

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John & Jessica Poltrock
RE/MAX Mountain Properties - Murphy, NC

I agree... terrible picture. We can all afford Photoshop Elements. You can adjust shadow, crop, "Photoshop", and do all sorts of things for $75. It's worth it because you can adjust shadows. Spend the money and buy it - its awesome! If you have it, its amazing at how much your camera picks up on. You just can't see it till the software brings it out.

Here's a 30 day free trial I found:

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelwin/tryout.html?sdid=YNYA

Jul 21, 2007 04:11 PM
Katrina Madewell
Charles Rutenberg Rlty- More than 5,000 agents(813) 777-1196 - Tampa, FL
Tampa FL Homes for sale | Tampa Bay - (813) 777-1196

look like a bunch of Dark Doom and Gloom to me... and Barney.. not sure what to make of that!

myspace layouts, myspace codes, glitter graphics

Jul 21, 2007 04:12 PM
Rick & Ines - Miami Beach Real Estate
Majestic Properties - Miami Beach, FL

Oh come on Tchaka......they didn't want to wake up the todler watching Barney on TV!  You are sooo mean!

....and yes that is sarcasm...just in case!  : )

Jul 21, 2007 04:14 PM
Ginger Magoon
Remax - Bryan College Station - College Station, TX
Bryan, College Station Texas Real Estate
Great room for a nice TV.  Hee Hee
Jul 21, 2007 04:20 PM
Gary Bolen
McCall Realty - South Lake Tahoe, CA
CRS - Lake Tahoe Real Estate Information
Takes all kinds. Not exactly a great selling feature, but the lack of thought behind the photo is at least fun. Thanks for sharing.
Jul 21, 2007 04:21 PM
Jeff Kessler
Austin Homes, Realtors www.OwnAustin.com - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

If I was the seller I would be a bit upset.  This is a funny pic and should be use on how NOT to stage a home.

J.

 

Jul 21, 2007 04:22 PM
Beth Bastian
Rosemont Financial Inc - Simi Valley, CA
Simi Valley Real Estate
I would call it "a room that the whole family will love at nap time"  
Jul 21, 2007 05:51 PM
Tchaka Owen
Galleria International Realty - Hollywood, FL

Pamela - it just might be Barney.  I think I make out some sort of gremlin-like creature.

John & Jessica - thank you for the heads-up.  I might DL it for 30-days and try it out.  Certainly a number of AR members could benefit from it.

Katrina - LOL @ Dark Doom and Gloom!  I think you hit it on the head.

 

 

Jul 21, 2007 06:12 PM
Tchaka Owen
Galleria International Realty - Hollywood, FL

Ines!!!!  You're back.  I figured you guys were 'stuck' sailing the islands for the next 3 or 4 months.  Great hearing from you, hope the time off was relaxing.

Ginger, Gary and Beth - I am smiling at your posts; thanks for responding.  A room the whole family would love at nap time just might work!

Jeff - the crappy thing is that some sellers either don't know better or might not even know how their homes are presented online.  I mght keep a collection and one day make an online tour of horrendous pics like that guy from Canada.  

 

Jul 21, 2007 06:20 PM
Todd Murphy
Fitts Agency - Tuscaloosa, AL

I love you, you love me, we're a happy family with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you....

Nice, if you like Barney. 

Jul 21, 2007 10:34 PM
Rick & Ines - Miami Beach Real Estate
Majestic Properties - Miami Beach, FL
tchaka - it was awesome, would be nice to do that for 3-4 months though.  This comment thread is hilarious!
Jul 22, 2007 02:05 AM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer
The scary room :)
Jul 22, 2007 12:08 PM
Keller Williams Great Falls, Mclean
Keller Williams, Serving Mclean, Arlington & Reston areas - McLean, VA
Scary..is what I call it!
Jul 23, 2007 08:52 AM
Michelle Ewing
Trademark Realtors - Riverside, CA
Riverside, CA
Hope they didn't describe it as a light and bright interior!  Or maybe they're just selling the T.V.  Seriously, it doesn't take a professional photographer to take a decent picture.
Jul 23, 2007 09:49 AM
Tchaka Owen
Galleria International Realty - Hollywood, FL
Laury - that's such a tremendous difference!!!  I didn't realize Picassa could make such a difference (I've been using Ofoto for my real estate pics).  I agree the room is ugly, however I'd rather a bright room where the client can make his/her decision instead of "scary", "doom and gloom", etc.  Thanks for the demo, I do like the immense improvement you managed.
Jul 23, 2007 06:35 PM
Tchaka Owen
Galleria International Realty - Hollywood, FL

Renee - where've you been?  I've missed you!

Todd, Michelle - you both managed to make me laugh.  Thank you.  :-D

Laura - very well spoken!  Pride in our work will also convey to our clientsl.

Scott - I think this pic was taken from one of your Fairlington listings.  So you're a Barney fan, eh?  ;-) 

 

Jul 23, 2007 06:39 PM
Lisa Hill
Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate

I'm going with the "dark room". Isn't it amazing how lazy some agents can be on something that's such an easy fix? Even the simplest photo processing programs can lighten a picture. Of course, you then have to increase the detail level, but it's still an easy fix.

Lisa Hill

Jul 28, 2007 02:39 PM
Ronald Gillis
Southwest Florida Notaries (Mortgage Notary Signing Agent) - Port Charlotte, FL
CNSA Southwest Florida. Notaries, Port Charlotte, 941-7-NOTARY

Along the same lines, my mom's agent started taking pictures without considering any need to clean up or pick-up even a little.  While my mom's house certainly is not messy, but, as an example, she keeps a bed-sheet over the couch to protect it.  Good for protection, but bad for sell my house publicity.  She had to tell the Realtor to wait a minute while she fixed things like that.  You would think the Realtor would know better. BTW, Laurie, I agree with the others, being lightened up actually didn't improve the room, but your program was amazing! 

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Oct 08, 2007 02:09 AM