All those crappy MLS pictures…a pet peeve
December 26, 2008 by Monika McGillicuddy
Filed under Blog
I am constantly surfing our Southern NH MLS and always notice listing photos and whether or not there are virtual tours of the homes. Some of the MLS photos that agents put in are absolutely pitiful. I don’t understand why no one holds them accountable for those crappy MLS photos… not their manager and not the sellers! I don’t get it!
I’ve seen photos with dirty dishes left on the counters…never mind all sorts of regular day to day clutter on the counters and floors. Or how about the lovely bathroom shot showing nothing but the toilet with the lid up no less! I’m happy the house comes with a toilet but really how about showing more of the bathroom or skipping the hopper shot all together. One particular MLS listing photo shows a lovely dining room table with all the listing paperwork, file and pens all spread all over the table….only thing missing was a picture of the sellers signing the paperwork. I thought maybe it was a temporary MLS photo…you know in the excitement of getting the listing. Nope I was wrong! That picture was still up there 8 weeks later.
What ever happened to the idea of making a good first impression? Today up to 93% of home buyers search or use the Internet to find a house. First impressions…each time a listing is viewed on line a decision will be made based on that photo. A decision to make an appointment or to inquire about more information, or the decision to by pass the home completely.
Think about this, when was the last time you used the yellow pages to find a business? How did you buy your last airline ticket? If your home is on the market you must ask yourself what does your on-line listing photos say about you and your house? What does it say about the professionalism of your agent?
Start 2009 off right …you can’t afford to hire a sloppy lazy agent. This real estate market requires an agent that will think outside the box, one that will highlight your home and position it to be noticed and stand above the crowd.
Visit our some or our Listing Blogs as an example of our custom marketing plan.
If you’re thinking about selling your southern NH home, please give us a call and let us show you our Unique Market Advantage Plan designed especially for our clients. Our custom plan will guide you through the process of selling your home from start to finish.
It would be our honor….Jay and Monika at 603-548-7728
Oh yeah, don’t get me started (oops, too late)! This is ridiculous: that the agent would do it, that the seller would permit it, that the broker would condone it, and that the MLS doesn’t care, as long a some kind of picture is up there. Accountability is nonexistent, either personally or professionally. Makes my blood boil. The sad thing is that this issue is NOT local, like real estate…it’s universal in every MLS in every region of the country, and perhaps abroad, too. When did the lowest level of competency and compliance become “half-assed”??
I agree it is far from a local issue.I don’t understand why sellers don’t look on line or at least ask for a public MLS listing sheet or link to their listing. If they saw what I saw they would know why their home is no having any activity. No accountability at all!!!
Monika I am constantly amazed at the poor photos that are used in the MLS. Fuzzy, dark, people sleeping in them, etc. I don’t understand why the seller isn’t pitching a fit over them. It’s not that hard to purchase a digital camera and learn to take a decent photo. I have taken over 100 photos of a house just to make sure I have the 15 good photos. If the time of day is bad just go back! You can never take to many photos with a digital camera just delete the junk.
Ashley, I think it’s just laziness on the part of the listing agents. It really does not take much to think before you snap that picture… to imagine how it will look… to move the papers or dirty dishes….OR put the damn toilet seat down! Pure laziness.