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

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Kirby Fine Homes

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.

Comments (19)

Bill Byrd
Byrd Property Group - Charleston, SC
Virginia Beach & Charleston SC Real Estate Expert

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!

Jun 15, 2008 03:33 PM
Earleene Woods
Keller Williams Experience Realty - Murray, KY
ASP, CRS, GRI

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

Jun 15, 2008 03:49 PM
Judy Greenberg
Coldwell Banker Long Grove - Buffalo Grove, IL
Coldwell Banker - Buffalo Grove - Long Grove Homes

Yes, you must be a good photographer.  Grat job

Jun 15, 2008 03:55 PM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

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

Jun 15, 2008 04:16 PM
Steve Dawson
J. Rockcliff Realtors (#01723588) - Walnut Creek, CA

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. 

Jun 15, 2008 04:17 PM
Patty Carroll
Vancouver, WA

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 15, 2008 04:22 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

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

Jun 16, 2008 02:37 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

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

Kathleen

Jun 17, 2008 01:56 PM
Eric Lee
Realty Executives - Phoenix, AZ
e-PRO, SFR - Phoenix, AZ

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 17, 2008 02:22 PM
Greg Fox
Realty World Wichita - Wichita, KS
Techy Broker in Wichita Kansas

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!!

Jun 18, 2008 02:38 AM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate
Shame on the agent for not checking out the sq ft before showing.
Jun 18, 2008 10:58 AM
Iriana Shiyan
Artazum, LLC - Bellevue, WA
Atazum Seattle Real Estate Photography

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

Jun 19, 2008 05:22 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

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 23, 2008 10:42 AM
Jennifer Kirby
Kirby Fine Homes - Minneapolis, MN
The Luxury Agent

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 25, 2008 02:43 PM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro

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! ;)

Jun 26, 2008 02:12 AM
Geordie Romer
Windermere Real Estate / NCW - Leavenworth, WA
Serving Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee, and Plain

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.

Jun 26, 2008 05:01 AM
Cyndee Haydon
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes

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

Jul 26, 2008 04:43 PM
Jennifer Kirby
Kirby Fine Homes - Minneapolis, MN
The Luxury Agent

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

Jul 27, 2008 05:34 AM
Cyndee Haydon
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes

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?

Jul 27, 2008 09:53 AM

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