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Listing Photos should depict houses, not chattel

By Jeff Stevens

Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Mexico Properties 47726

June 10, 2022 08:13 AM

Listing Photos should depict houses, not chattel.

Recently I came across a new listing in our MLS that really caught my eye. Not because I had a buyer waiting in the wings for this particular property. Not that the main listing photo was so astonishingly beautiful.

No, I noticed it simply because the main listing photo was not a shot of a house or a plat, but of a plastic Adirondack chair in the yard. A good listing broker or agent should know that listing photos, especially the main photo, should depict houses, not chairs or personal property/chattel. 🤦🏽‍♂️

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Anna "Banana" Kruchten

HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ

602-380-4886

Hi Jeff I have never seen such an odd main photo of a listing. What do you suppose they are trying to have folks take note of? Is that a river view in the back or just land or a road?

Jun 10, 2022 10:06 AM

Jeff Stevens

Anna, my hope is that the photos were preliminary only until professional photos were uploaded.🤷🏽‍♂️

Jun 10, 2022 01:18 PM

Anna "Banana" Kruchten

But still, even for a preliminary photo it seems very lame to me. Let us know what happens. Interesting to me.....odd is more like it.

Jun 10, 2022 01:43 PM

Carol Williams

Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA

Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Well, it did catch your attention so maybe it's working. I don't think our MLS allows that for a primary photo. I could be wrong because I've been retired for a while.

Jun 10, 2022 10:37 AM

Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Phoenix, AZ
Jeff Stevens

Las Cruces, NM

Jeff Stevens

Thanks, Carol. The photo was finally changed...after I think 48 hours.

Jun 13, 2022 06:02 AM

Grant Schneider

Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY

Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Jeff - a while back we has someone posting pictures she found on the MLS that had pets distracting the main picture.

Jun 11, 2022 03:56 AM

Jeff Stevens

Las Cruces, NM

Jeff Stevens

Yeah, I've seen those "pet" photos in MLS as well. Poor planning on picture day!

Jun 13, 2022 06:03 AM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is a very good reminder to share.

Have a productive weekend.

Jun 11, 2022 04:59 AM

Jeff Stevens

Las Cruces, NM

Kat Palmiotti

eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT

Helping your Montana dreams take root

That's a weird choice for a first photo. Love to know what they were thinking.

Jun 11, 2022 05:09 AM

Jeff Stevens

Las Cruces, NM

Jeff Stevens

Since it was changed within a few days, I'm sure it was overlooked somehow.

Jun 13, 2022 06:04 AM

Buzz Mackintosh

Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD

“Experience, reliable, leadership”

I have seen pictures like this posted in coming soon status , but not on fully active status one.

Jun 11, 2022 05:11 AM

Jeff Stevens

Las Cruces, NM

Wayne Martin

Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL

Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Jeff. A sure sign it is time to search for a new agent. Enjoy your day.

Jun 11, 2022 05:13 AM

Jeff Stevens

Las Cruces, NM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Jeff... amen to this! I never cease to be amazed by what agents post. This week a saw a new listing where the primary photo was a staircase.

Jun 11, 2022 05:21 AM

Jeff Stevens

Las Cruces, NM

Jeff Stevens

Wow. Well, at least it was actually in and a part of the house! :)

Jun 13, 2022 06:05 AM

Leanne Smith

Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ

The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Our MLS, WARDEX, here in Mohave County o NW, AZ requires the first picture to be of the front of the house from the street or the best feature of the home such as a Pool or stable. For vacant land, the first photo may be the county map. I do agree with you and thanks so much for this reminder.

Jun 11, 2022 07:07 AM

Jeff Stevens

Las Cruces, NM

Jeff Stevens

Luckily the mistake was corrected.

Jun 13, 2022 06:05 AM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Jeff,

I'm so glad Carol Williams featured your post in her Second Chance Saturday Series. This picture is the oddest photo I've seen in an MLS property for sale. And to think it was the lead photo!! Really??

Jun 11, 2022 09:27 AM

Jeff Stevens

Las Cruces, NM
Carol Williams

Wenatchee, WA

Jeff Stevens

Thanks, Dorie and thank you Carol Williams! The lead photo was finally changed.

Jun 13, 2022 06:06 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Jeff:

That's a pretty peculiar main photo. Not sure what message the agent is attempting to convey. It certainly doesn't meet our MLS requirements for the primary photo.

Jeff

Jun 12, 2022 09:00 AM