DISQUS

Paula Henry · 1 year ago

Jay - I see and hear the same thing everyday! People email and ask if I have more photos. What sellers don't understand or more likely, are not educated about, is - buyers want to see pictures. If there are no pictures, homes get checked off the list, unless they are an incredible value.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Paula Henry´s last blog post..Are Loan Modifications Working?</abbr>

Megan · 1 year ago

Jay, I totally agree with you! As a consumer, no matter what I am shopping for online (stuff on eBay, looking at listings, deciding what hotel to say at, etc.) I always blow past any item with no photos, one photo, or terrible photos.

Ricardo Bueno · 1 year ago

Laziness maybe? (I don't wanna hear the: "I don't have a camera" excuse).

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Ricardo Bueno´s last blog post..Why Isn't This Working?</abbr>

Max · 1 year ago

I absolutely agree with you Jay! I personally think that there should be a grace period of 7 days for an agent to put more than 1 photo up and after that they should be charged $50 a week fine by the local MLS. The MLS will make some good money and the database will eventually be full of photos. I think it's a win-win for everyone.

BTW, some time ago I made a post in my personal blog about obvious things that missing from agents web sites, I think it is relevant to your current post.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Max´s last blog post..Sky Harbor is America's Healthiest Airport</abbr>

Aaron@Spanish Classes Phoenix · 1 year ago

From a buyers point of view; When I was buying my home I wouldn't even look at a listing without pictures. That said, good pictures definitely persuaded me to go visit certain homes. A picture is worth a thousand words.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Aaron´s last blog post..Kids foreign language classes</abbr>

Jim Sparrow@Calgary Real Estat · 1 year ago

Bravo Jay. Not only are good pictures worth 1,000 words, ~great~ pictures are worth their weight in gold.

Brandon@AzSearchForHomes · 1 year ago

I think around 10-15 photos is ideal for most homes depending on the square footage and amenities of the home. On the flip side, 30 photos is a little overkill... you want to leave enough to entice buyer's to come see the home. Also 5 pics of a 10x10 bedroom that highlights the comforter is not appealing to most buyers...

Craig Frooninckx · 1 year ago

One thought is to require that all listings have at least one photo before the listing goes live, would forcing agents to have a photo be a good thing or a bad thing?

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Craig Frooninckx´s last blog post..New Law, don’t get caught</abbr>

Jason Sandquist · 1 year ago

Another thing that rubs me the wrong way is REO agents using the two photos they snapped of the property six months prior when they were doing their drive-by BPO. One of the front and one of the side/back, it's like they never get out of the car.

@Craig brings up a good point of forcing a minimum amount of photos before the listing can go live.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Jason Sandquist´s last blog post..Should You Buy Now?</abbr>

Hojin Chang · 1 year ago

I think it should be required that all real estate professionals be forced to buy a DSLR and a wide angle lens and take a class on architectural photography or have to hire a pro.

I have to look at awful MLS all day every day and it makes me want to puke.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Hojin Chang´s last blog post..2008 Real Estate Stats for Windermere</abbr>

Alistair Helm · 1 year ago

Jay,

I recall vividly the session at Connect SF this summer at which this was discussed. I somehow had the idea that this issue was limited to New Zealand real estate agents, and the US market was better organised and professionally focused - why oh why do agents apply so little thought to this most crucial issue??

I am pleased to see a real estate broker / agent (sorry I can't recall the right US title) take this position - especially given your standing in the RE blogosphere.

I think the answer lies in a business rule that says - no photo : no listing, we need to recognise the criticality of the web in real estate marketing and understand that the buyers apply a judgment to the agent and the website of a property without a photo - that as you say should be the wake-up call to the agent to protect and enhance their reputation, but why should the website that listing be displayed on, be negatively judged, after all the average buyer does not know nor needs to know the ins and outs of data transfer of listing content - they just see no photo and may apply a conclusion of "something's broken".

Thanks for prompting this issue again, I am motivated to blog on this matter - and maybe apply the rule here in NZ.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Alistair Helm´s last blog post..Building consents data provides valuable insight into property market trends</abbr>

Rod Rebello · 1 year ago

Jay, also a pet peeve of mine. I have taken time to go take photos for buyer clients not in the area, but should not have to.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Rod Rebello´s last blog post..East Valley Foreclosure Seminars 12/13/08 & 1/10/09</abbr>

John Hunter @ Curious Cat Inve · 1 year ago

I agree completely it is crazy. I have rented out my previous house myself now for year. The photos I included we more detailed (and showed the hose better) than any realtor site did. It was crazy that one little landlord with 1 house did a far superior job to all the professions.

Thankfully now at least professional sites provide a decent amount of detail. But it is still crazy to me how little detail is provided on many sites. Why would you have any significant room in the hose without a photo. Why don't you provide rough floorplans online? etc...

<abbr></abbr><abbr>John Hunter´s last blog post..Kiss Your Phone Bill Good-bye</abbr>

Gregory Bain · 1 year ago

Jay, this is why "all real estate is locale"(period). If you want to buy a house, you need an agent to help. All too often I have seen a listing without pictures, good description, etc. that was the best home on the market in that price range. By the time others "discover" it, it is gone. Sold in house because no one knew what they were missing. I have seen homes with a ton of pictures that look great on the internet, but when you go look at it - you wonder if it was the same house. And, don't you wish it had the scratch and sniff for your computer screen and mouse? Forget the web, Get an agent!

howard@Charleston Real Estate · 1 year ago

I would look at the lack of photos and the lack of quality photos by others as a listing presentation opportunity. This would be an excellent time to highlight one additional reason why they should hire you.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>howard´s last blog post..2008 Seven Deadly Sins awards</abbr>

David Tapper @San Mateo Real E · 1 year ago

Jay,
I also like to watch buyers search for homes. I also like to search for homes as if I were a buyer, meaning without access MLS. Pictures are a must, and the virtual tour link also catches my eye.

Our mls has yet to put in a video option? Have any MLS systems started to allow video yet?

-Tap

<abbr></abbr><abbr>David Tapper´s last blog post..Dodge Ridge, A Great Lake Tahoe Alternative!</abbr>

mattrathbun (Matthew Rathbun) · 1 year ago

Great article from @phoenixrealestateguy http://is.gd/b0Bz Great layout for a company blog/webpage, too..

Jodi Suguitan · 1 year ago

You are absolutely right! Agents listings a property without pictures are doing their clients a disservice. The property will never generate any interest so why even bother. Hopefully many of those photoless properties are listed and the pictures really are coming shortly. But once again why the agents go to the trouble of getting pictures later and then having to go and modify the listings to add the pictures doesn't make sense either. Its less work and makes sense to do it right from the get go.

Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate · 1 year ago

I'm not so sure it's the MLS's job to police agents and make sure they are doing their job. There is a thing called broker supervision. Personally, I'd never hire an agent that didn't understand the importance of good photos in a listing, but I can assure you that if one of my agents for some reason entered a listing without adequate photos that they'd be fixing it pronto.

Dugdale · 1 year ago

I get the same type of questions on my rental site when no photos are posted.

But for the most case the think the rental industry typically have more photos than on the sales side from what I have seen.

Linsey@ OC Real Estate Voice · 1 year ago

Fortunately, SoCalMLS will fine an agent that doesn't have at least one photo. There is a grace period but it isn't long. We also have the option as agents to report a violation (i.e. no photo).

I believe you can hurt a listing nearly as much with poor photography as you can with none at all. Some of the shots I see mystify me - blurry beyond recognition, corners of empty rooms, a photo of the street it backs to, or a toilet (falling under the 'well I should hope so' category). I also think that quality is more important than quantity.

I've worn this topic out on my blogs so I've given it a good amount of thought. The California Disclosure Regarding Agency Relationships states the listing agent has the following obligation, "Diligent exercise of reasonable skill and care in performance of the agent's duties." We're in a day and age where a basic photo of the home certainly should be a minimal expectation and come under 'reasonable skill and care in performance'. Right?

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Linsey´s last blog post..Shopping for a Xmas Tree - OC Style</abbr>

Ned Carey@Baltimore investing · 1 year ago

As a contrarian I look at this as an opportunity. It's a selling point you can use for listing presentations. When purchasing you know they haven't gotten any presentations.

It still pisses me off though : )

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Ned Carey´s last blog post..How do I Make Money in Real Estate?</abbr>

The Harriman Team · 1 year ago

Right with ya on this one, Jay. This is one of our pet peeves, and I was working on an Active rain post about it when I came across yours. I agree that brokers need to hold agents more accountable for their listings, but I also think agents need to have the discipline to hold themselves accountable for doing everything they can to help their client sell their home. If they can't even take a single picture, what else aren't they doing?

<abbr></abbr><abbr>The Harriman Team´s last blog post..Wallingford Market Update November 2008</abbr>

lisa@new orleans west bank rea · 1 year ago

I recently was talking with an out of town buyer who was getting frustrated that of all the new listings in the area almost 50% had no photos and not a single one had video or a virtual tour. I have the system set to resend listings when photos are added, but too often that never happens. Coming from someone who typically takes over 100 photos of each house to get it right, it frustrates me beyond belief. Call the agents for more? That's a joke. The excuses I hear are pathetic and most of the agents don't seem to care. Sigh.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>lisa´s last blog post..Wake Up Buyers! It’s Time to Get Off the Fence</abbr>

Dan @ Brandon Property Managem · 1 year ago

I think pictures are one most important things you need to have when marketing a home especially considering most buyers will find their home on the internet. Our mls board will fine you if you don't have at least one picture, maybe that is something your board should think about, there is nothing worse than a listing that has no photos.

Charles@Las Vegas Real Estate · 1 year ago

REOs rarely have decent photos. The MLS here requires that every listing have at least one photo or you get fined $100 until it does. I think it is a grave disservice to any seller to not have a GOOD photo of their property posted in the listing. Note to sellers: if it turns out to be your property, hire another agent.

Misty Faucheux · 1 year ago

We have the same problem on our site, www.Viscape.com. It's free for anybody to upload their properties and make them look as nice as they want them to be. But, it never fails that we'll get complaints that somebody isn't get leads, and it's almost always due to the fact that they didn't upload photos. People in DC have been uploading their properties like mad for the inauguration. The ones with photos are getting plenty of leads; those without aren't. You just can't deny the fact that photos are necessary to rent or sell a property.

Tim Ayres · 1 year ago

Couldn't agree more. I'm sure you've seen my blog, but perhaps some of your readers haven't. I post a horrible MLS photo of the day, each and every day, taken from an active listing. In the current market, the listings with good photos are going to stand out against all the clutter of the multitude of listings on the market; a classic signal-to-noise ratio.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Tim Ayres´s last blog post..Horrible MLS Photo Of The Day #281</abbr>

Joseph Bridges · 1 year ago

This post outlines one of the biggest issues that agents fail to appropriatley market their listings. Lindsey, OC real estate, who is also a part of SoCal MLS like I am mentioned that the MLS can and does fine agents. After being on the board for a year the number 1 fine and the number 1 violation every month is for missing listing pictures. It is so sad to see any listing with no photo and as mentioned sellers should demand to see a copy of their listing. Agents need to be accountable for the money that is made and we all should report to our sellers.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Joseph Bridges´s last blog post..Network like a Hollywood Pro Call Today</abbr>

Felipe Crook · 1 year ago

Jay, I think you are DEAD on!! I just don't understand why agents aren't more conscious of the fact that most buyers start on the internet and are making their list of houses to see based on those pictures.
I'm a little shocked at how many homes you have on the market. Las Vegas is leading the country in foreclosures, but we only have 16,800 single families on the market here. Are the majority of your sales foreclosures? November sales were 84% REO or short sales. Anyway, great blog.
Felipe Crook
Prudential Americana Group

Jamie Geiger · 1 year ago

What I reaaallly don't get is when it is an "owner/agent" listing with no photos. Buyers want pictures, and when there are no pictures, buyers are just going to go the the listing with pictures.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Jamie Geiger´s last blog post..Why Loan Modifications are so complicated.</abbr>

Vicki Walker@davis real estate · 1 year ago

Jay:

Just one point to add here. There are times when I limit the number of pictures I add to an MLS listing or to my site, rather than have a picture of every room. There are certain rooms that don't photograph well, or just don't look good no matter who takes the picture, or from what angle.

I find this common among small second bathrooms, the kind where there is not room for a person and a camera in the room, and/or the entry is so narrow into a galley bathroom that any picture makes the room look smaller than it really is.

If the picture does not add to the "attractive features" of the home, I will leave it out and focus on the rooms and pictures that allow the home to look its best.

myrtle beach apartments · 1 year ago

i find it hard to believe the agents in my area that just upload 1 picture or just steal a picture off another listings or steal the expired listings pictures

<abbr></abbr><abbr>myrtle beach apartments´s last blog post..Palmetto Pointe Apartments</abbr>

James Wheelock@Humble homes fo · 1 year ago

To this day it shocks me how few agents care to load pictures as they should. Even more amazing is when they take the time to shoot photos and they do it with their cell phone camera so the pictures are grainy and difficult to make out. I am not saying that laziness is ok by any means it just makes sense when someone doesn't put up any pictures. But, when someone takes the time to take pictures and they do a poor job now that just confuses me. Well...maybe that is the case because I take pride in everything I do and take the time to attend classes on photography to improve my picture taking. Still I am really suprised...or should I say shocked.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>James Wheelock´s last blog post..Humble Real Estate Market Report For December 13th 2008</abbr>

Linda Craft-Raleigh NC Real Es · 1 year ago

This is a huge pet peeve of mine as well-even for things not real estate related. Anytime I am shopping online, I hate to not see a photo because even if the product is great, I am not going to buy it without seeing it first. It is funny how so many people don't think about how their listing (or anything they are selling online) looks from the buyers point of view.

Chelle@Real Estate Marketing B · 1 year ago

It's one of those things I don't really get either. If I were selling my home and the agent didn't put up any pictures, I'd be livid.

Though if people are asking for more photos, that's a good opportunity to make an appointment with them and see the house :)

<abbr></abbr><abbr>Chelle´s last blog post..How to Get an Education in Real Estate Investing</abbr>

JCL · 1 year ago

I think this issue is much deeper than just not having photos available on the mls listing. It amazes me how people think they can just plunk a sign in the yard and sell a house that isn't show-ready. Your house won't sell just because it's yours and you are special... you have to compete with the other houses out there (which really isn't *that* hard), or as we're seeing in the case with no photos - people will just move on.

Trevor · 1 year ago

Jay you are on the money with your comment. It is the sole reason i created my company - www.youvu.com.au -
The presentation of properties online in a highly engaging and truely unique way is vital in securing buyer interest. Point in fact Vendors want to show more and prospective buyers want to see more, allow the two goals to be met and you will be successful. Drive emotion into your Vendors home advertisment and you will realise the benifits - here is an example for you to check out http://www.youvu.com.au/promote/user/marie/222/...

The more reasons you give a buyer to emotionally connect with a property the more chance you will have at securing a sale.

Sue · 1 year ago

A friend of mine sold his home about 8+ years ago after a complete high end renovation. This was before I was a realtor, so I was not the agent. The home wasn't getting any showings and we couldn't understand why. He got nervous and days on the market was getting higher. He ended up accepting a very low price for the home which was also located in a very exclusive town. I don't know what made me do this, but recently I pulled the listing and there were NO PICTURES! The description didn't even elaborate on the quality renovations in the home. He used imported tiles from Italy, etc.... I sent the listing to him and needless to say he is pretty angry, but I don't think there is much that can be done at this point.

Gregory Bain · 1 year ago

EIGHT + YEARS AGO? It is common practice for the MLS to dump pictures and sometimes even text to old listings. In my opinion, Sue, you did a disservice to your friend and the agent who eventual sold the house. Most MLS did not even offer the agent an upload of more than one picture back then. EIGHT + YEARS AGO? Someone has too much time on their hands and....Well, I'll let it go at that.

James Boyer @ Morristown NJ re · 11 months ago

Do you get much for mean spirited comments or just plain grose stuff? I have been getting much more of that over the past few weeks. Or comments trying to state that I am a big part of the problem in real estate and that it is somehow my falt that home values are going down.

I just delet them, and the user accounts that many of them setup as well.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>James Boyer´s last blog post..Relocating to Morristown New Jersey 07960</abbr>

Rory · 10 months ago

Absolutely right! One good picture may be much more valuable than a good description. There were studies to establish where our attention goes on a webpage and there were comments that if buyer visually doesn’t remember something he is unlikely to return to it even if he scrolls back. Good estate agents often use a good photographer to present the property in the best light.

ObsessedInvestor · 9 months ago

Thank you for this!

I have spent more hours than I should probably admit searching through real estate listings. One of my biggest pet peaves is photos that are so bad you can't tell if it's worth a drive by and, worse no photos at all. I think every realtor out there should be listening.

Sincerely
ObsessedInvestor

life science articles · 8 months ago

As a contrarian I look at this as an opportunity. It’s a selling point you can use for listing presentations. When purchasing you know they haven’t gotten any presentations.

<abbr></abbr><abbr>life science articles´s last blog post..Researchers: 361 to 38,000 Intelligent Civilizations in our Galaxy</abbr>

Benjamin@rocket spanish · 6 months ago

That's a great article. It's very interesting and informative. I have learned a lot from your nice post. Thank you so much for your share.

rocketspanish · 3 months ago

Its really good stuff ! Now the people know, how much the photos are important.

Buyers and sellers will understand each other in a better way.