This is a real, true photo I came across in an MLS search. It is the primary photo that came up in all the searches, Realtor.com, etc. IF YOU TRIED, do you think it would be possible to take a worse photo? I doubt it. I was so startled that I had to take a drive by this house to see what it REALLY looked like. I wondered if perhaps the photo had been taken during a tornado that I had managed to sleep through! Turns out that it was a perfectly cute little house, very normal.
I wonder if any prospective buyers came upon this beauty online and said "Honey, we have just GOT to see this one!" What do you think the chances are that this homeowner had any clue that this was how ridiculously bad his home was being marketed? I think zero. I have a collection of horrible MLS photos. If you have any you would like to submit, send them on to norhtidahojanna@gmail.com.
If you are a seller who has listed your property for sale, do yourself a favor and search online to see how your agent is presenting your property to the market. I'd like to think that photos like this are a rarity, but I have a file full of 'em that proves they're not!
Janna Rankin Scharf provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.com to search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.
No matter how grand or modest your real estate dreams may be, you can turn to me in confidence. Give me a call today and let me know what I can do to be of service to you!
Janna Rankin Scharf AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS 208.651.9700
It's a total injustice to the seller, although I've seen much worse. Another major problem is those listings that have been active for over a week with no photo at all.
I agree with Jim. If what you are saying is true and it is actually a fairly cute house, than it's a total injustice to the seller. However, after viewing more homes than I care to count, where the picture seemed to have been photoshop enhanced into fantasyland, and forgotten reality, I find it kind of refreshing in an odd sort of way.
That is horrible! Did you email the agent at all? I have emailed agents when I noticed they put the wrong sq footage in for the lot.
Or you could do a postcard to the neighborhood emphasizing how critical it is to have a GOOD photo of the house on the MLS and see if you get any bites. Hmmm, I might have just thought of something. Sending postcards out w/ tips on what makes a good realtor. hmmmmmm....
Brooke
It looks like the picture that one could say "Honey please stop the car, I feel sick!"
Livia & Brook: Good suggestions! I call agents all the time in frustration to tell them their posted directions to a property are wrong after being unable to find it.... HELLO!!!!! I didn't call that agent, do you think it would have made a difference to them? I LOVE your postcard idea with tips on what makes a good realtor, complete with side by side comparisons of house photos like those. How do you spell S-L-A-M D-U-N-K?
Livia & Brook: Good suggestions! I call agents all the time in frustration to tell them their posted directions to a property are wrong after being unable to find it.... HELLO!!!!! I didn't call that agent, do you think it would have made a difference to them? I LOVE your postcard idea with tips on what makes a good realtor, complete with side by side comparisons of house photos like those. How do you spell S-L-A-M D-U-N-K?
Very sad. An example of why some members of the public have a negative attitude towards REALTORS.
Debbie - Yes, I hate the generalizations that all of us are incompetent....
I got two words for that one: ca-razy
It's not that hard to take a nice photo...I think some agents just don't care. I like the postcard idea too...
Photos are important...BOTH inside and out!
Oh sure it can be worse. There was a house similar to yours but it was winter. A dog chained with a way to heavy chain to the door. No water and no shelter. It took me all afternoon to get to the local ASPCA so they could go check on the poor thing.
Carol