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Have a camera? Use it already!

By Theresa Grant

Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty DRE# 01202881

April 19, 2008 02:11 AM

Can anyone think of a real estate agent who doesn't have a camera? Even in our cell phones we have picture-taking capabilities. So why is it that when I'm in the MLS looking at a listing that's over 30 days old there's still not even one photo of the property?

I belong to several MLS systems. My local closed-board MLS lets us put in 8 photos, and doesn't let the listing go actively to the MLS membership without at least one photo. That's progress in a way, but I really wish they'd let us put in more than 8 photos. I would say that we need more than 8 photos on any listing -- heck, I like to use three just on the exterior to show different angles and the setting! There's another MLS I belong to that so far hasn't stopped me when putting in photos. I think that on average, in that MLS I put 15 photos of a listing up and a couple of them have more than 20. Even on the properties that are, shall I say, 'cosmetically challenged' I'll have at least three photos to start.

With gas prices being so insane and with so much property on the market -- at least here in Southern California -- I would think that more photos in the MLS would be a good thing! How many photos do you put in a listing on average, and how many are you allowed to place into your MLS? I'd really like to hear some feedback on this one... :)

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Tiffany Wilson

eReal Estate Corp - Redondo Beach, CA

SFR, First Time Home Buyers & Investors

Yup - photos, video, anything to get buyers' attention! I now [try to] carry my camera with me everywhere! I like to take photos of the community that I live and work in and share that info with clients.

Apr 19, 2008 02:16 AM

Heather the Realtor Orlando, Lake Mary

LemonTree Realty - Orlando, FL

First Time Home Buyers, Bank Owned Homes

It always baffles me that someone has 1 photo in the MLS. Sometimes I can understand the first week not having them but months on end. It's ridiculous.

Apr 19, 2008 02:17 AM

Linda Lipscomb

Linda Lipscomb RE/MAX Lexington Henderson County TN - Lexington, TN

731-695-1118, Lexington TN Homes

My MLS allows 9 photos. I can put up to a 100 on my personal site.

The more photos the better, it at least impresses the seller and makes it look like you tried to do you job.

Linda

Apr 19, 2008 02:19 AM

Kim Sellers

Lake Arrowhead, CA Coldwell Banker - Lake Arrowhead, CA

Lake Arrowhead Realtor - BRE#01412099 - Lake Arrow

Amen sister... drives me crazy. I can put a zillion in down on all my other websites and only 8 up here. Crestline at least lets you do 10 and MRMLS a few more, but geesh. Pictures sell the house. Well at least it gets the people here.

Apr 19, 2008 02:20 AM

Lane Bailey

Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA

Realtor & Car Guy

There needs to be pictures, but please not from the cell phone... they need to be good pictures. I have seen $1m homes here with cell phone camera pictures. That shouldn't even cut it on a $50k condo.

Greg Hampton

Re/Max Around The Mountains - Blue Ridge, GA

North Georgia Mountain Property,Blue Rid

I can't understand why the clients let lazy agents list their homes when they don't wont to take any pictures. I have checked on some realtors and they never put any pictures in the mls and have lots of listings. I don't understand that. I always send my client a copy of the listing so they know that I am doing my job to put their home out there.

Apr 19, 2008 02:22 AM

Melody Botting

Broker Associate PenFed Realty - San Antonio, TX

You Deserve The Best

I wonder if the agent is waiting for the sellers to get into a desperate situation so the agent can buy it or sell to one of their investors. Think about it.

Apr 19, 2008 02:28 AM

Steve Hoffacker

Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL

Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Theresa, how true. With digital photography, we're not even talking about going to the store to buy film, waiting until the whole roll is used, taking it in for processing, and then picking up the finished prints. There's really no reason for not having up-to-date pictures.

Vickie Nagy

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA

Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen

I can't believe your MLS does not require photos. It's a sure-fire fine here if there are no property photos.

Apr 19, 2008 02:45 AM

Joe Virnig

RE/MAX Gold Coast REALTORS, Ventura County, California - Ventura, CA

No Ordinary Joe

I stumbled across a gorgeous home last week that has the worst photos possible. This home is priced right at what bank-owned properties are but is tenant occupied and takes a bit more effort to see so agents aren't bothering. If I had taken the photos, it would be SOLD by now.

Apr 19, 2008 03:07 AM

Vickie McCartney

Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY

Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

I still can't figure out why MLS's don't allow many more photos, It really doesn't make any sense. The fees (MLS) collected up front should count for something!!

Apr 19, 2008 03:09 AM

Tony Fantis

Fantis Group Real Estate - Salt Lake City, UT

Realtor,Principal Broker - Salt Lake City

I agree...get those photos up online! Though I do prefer a professional photographer. How much is the seller paying us?

Apr 19, 2008 03:11 AM

Greg Steffens

Mountain Country Realty - Lake Arrowhead, CA

I don't understand this "phenomenon" either, Theresa. It just plain makes no sense. It boils down to laziness, plain and simple. It speaks volumes to how seriously an agent takes his/her business and in this market, if you're not serious, you're not going to make it. Maybe down-the-road, that means more pie to divide among fewer agents!

Apr 19, 2008 04:46 PM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

Our local MLS finally started to fine people for not putting up pictures within 3 days and I love it! I think that was a good move on the MLS's part and the public seems to like it also.

Apr 24, 2008 03:11 AM

Have a camera? Use it already!

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