Sunday Soapbox- Lazy Realtors with Bad MLS Photos

As you may or may not know, I have a little work in real estate. It wasn't really a business for me, but an expensive hobby that never panned out. I still scour local real estate ads and enjoy the same research that I did before only now I don't have to pay thousands of dollars in fees to do so. One thing that always amazed me was the laziness of some real estate agents. How do they manage to stay in business while doing a half ass job. Pictures in the MLS listing can be the easiest way to find a potential buyer for your property. You are allowed to post at least 10 pictures on the MLS. You should take advantage of that and use it to market the property.


Lazy agent #1

This property is listed at almost $3 million dollars. This agent could make a decent chunk of change if he/she sells this property.I have seen this faux pas at all price points in the MLS. It is hard to sell something that people can't see. Sure the homeowner could have requested that no pictures be posted for privacy reasons, but that seller isn't really trying to sell their property if that is the case. The address is listed on the MLS, so is someone is curious, they will be doing a drive-by. That seems more invasive than a picture of the outside of your property.

Lazy agent #2

This property is listed at around $750,000. Based on the photo and property description, I couldn't tell you what you are getting for that kind of money. Is it a house? Is it commercial? Get off your butt and take a drive to take pictures. Anyone can Google an address and get this same picture. You are doing an injustice to your seller by not providing an accurate description and pictures that show everything the listing has to offer.

Lazy agent #3

This is the only picture on the listing. This picture says,
1. I was in the neighborhood and only have my camera phone.
2. I didn't bother to get out of the car because I am either A) lazy or B) don't feel safe in this neighborhood or C) both.
3. Even if this house does sell, I won't make much money on it, so I am not going to put any effort into it.
4. I need to crop the picture so all you see is the house because there is no curb appeal. I also want to make sure I cut out the shadow from my car.

Lazy agent #4


These are the worst offenders. Here in Syracuse we have four seasons. This picture is on the MLS in November showing a house covered in snow. The snow tells me that this house has been on the market for at least 6 months. That must mean there is something wrong with the house, right? Not necessarily, but that is what buyers will think. You are also telling your seller and potential buyers that the house is a lost cause and you as an agent have given up on it. When the seasons change, the pictures should too.


Lazy agent #5
While quickly browsing the MLS this morning I didn't find any examples of this lazy agent, but with it getting dark earlier now, I am sure they are right around the corner. I am talking about property pictures that are taken at night. I know you are busy, but you owe it to your seller to take pictures of their property with proper lighting. Sure it is better than not having a picture at all, but not by much. If you can't be at the house during daylight hours, you need to find someone to do it for you. I know most agencies have people that will provide this service. You are telling the seller that you have better things to do or don't want to spend any money to have it done right.


You don't have to be a professional photographer to get the job done, but there are things you can do to show that you are doing your job and not being a lazy agent.


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