wwdubbia
join:2002-06-03
Clinton, NY
1 edit | reply to Edit This
Re: The ethics of "Photoshopping" Real Estate Listings.
this isn't much different than the owner painting over that water spot in the ceiling to hide the leaky roof, is it? You'd be upset when you found out about it, right? |
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Mauricio9
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Vancouver, BC
1 edit | reply to nvmp7
That's my thinking... there are sins of omission and sins of commission. It is very hard to determine someone's responsibility for the first type. The second type, however, are definitely unethical and should be outright illegal.
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My photo galleries |
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nvmp7
join:2004-07-11
Auburn, ME
| reply to Mauricio9
My apologies, I was busy passing on some of my experiences that I forgot to comment on the original point...
In no way should a photo be manipulated in order to make the property seem more appealing than it's natural state in regards to removing/adding "elements" such as other buildings, landscapes or even power lines. I believe there was a question raised as to whether it was deceitful to put on the superwide lens and get the property without the power lines in the frame. The problem here is, there is no way to be able to tell if it was done in a deceitful way or if some agent with his/her $15 disposable camera just got "lucky" with the shot and never even noticed the power lines were there.
At the end of the day, the term "to accurately represent" is too subjective. That's why the buyer needs to physically look at the property. I could go on for hours giving different experiences....
Nate |
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Mauricio9
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Vancouver, BC
1 edit | reply to nvmp7
said by nvmp7  :In our MLS we can only upload 8 photos. There is no way to post enough photos to cover what may potentially turn someone on/off. Everyone's just a little bit different. That's not the issue here. The question is whether it is ethical for a realtor to post a photo where elements that may potentially turn someone off have deliberately been edited out. What's your take on that?
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My photo galleries |
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nvmp7
join:2004-07-11
Auburn, ME
| reply to Gizy
Make that two, or one-and-a-half.
My wife is a broker, and I take all of her photos as well as accompany her to most of her showings/open houses. We also own rental property. Bottom line is, we've never run into a situation where a buyer purchases (or a renter signs a lease) sight unseen. We've had buyers/renters inquire about the possibility, however, we've simply suggested strongly against it. If the prospect is serious about the property, they'll come to look at it. We've had a couple sales of military personnel. In one case the husband couldn't come to the showing so the wife came alone. The other case the both of them came. They flew 1500 miles for three days to look at multiple properties they had set up appointments for. Whether it's NYC, Auburn Maine or Los Angeles, if you're serious about buying a piece of property you better make time to check it out.
In our MLS we can only upload 8 photos. There is no way to post enough photos to cover what may potentially turn someone on/off. Everyone's just a little bit different.
If your Realtor is at least worth their weight in business cards, you should be a happy buyer/seller.
Nate |
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Gizy
Have you thanked a soldier today?
Premium
join:2002-08-26
Lake Oswego, OR
clubs: | reply to nvmp7
At least one in the business. |
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Mauricio9
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Vancouver, BC
| reply to Cariad
Shall we give it one more round?
Yes, if you buy the house based on a false photo, you are an idiot.
But when I was shopping for a house, I was sometimes driving 1+ hours to check them out. I know people who flew in to check out houses. Will a realtor reimburse me for my airfare if I flew in to check out a house based on a false photo?
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My photo galleries |
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Cariad
Logo Queen
Premium,ExMod 2001-03
join:2000-07-02
Staten Island, NY
clubs:
| reply to Edit This
The photo is to draw the buyer in, if the buyer doesn't notice the power lines/water tower/big honking power plant, behind the house or any other discrepancies when he/she goes to visit the house then it's his/her fault.
Who buys a house without looking at it first?
I find listing the wrong neighborhood in the ad. more annoying than prettying up the photo - but again it's a ploy to get the buyer to come look at the house.
Can I sue applebees because the plate of food they gave didn't look like the menu photo? |
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nvmp7
join:2004-07-11
Auburn, ME | reply to Edit This
How many Real Estate Professionals do we have engaged in this discussion? |
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yock
TFTC
Premium
join:2000-11-21
Fairfield, OH
| reply to Splitpair
said by Splitpair :said by pete424 : I don't put trees or grass where there is none but I might make the toys in the backyard go away. Then legally you have moved from a photograph of the property to a representation of the property. Wayne Removing incidental items that would not be present on the property once you take ownership isn't at all a misrepresentation.
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Laughter is the closest distance between two people. --Victor Borge
"The opposite of war isn't peace, it's creation." |
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B52GUNR
KM 7D love and D3 Nirvana
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-06
Vallejo, CA
clubs:  | reply to Splitpair
That's exactly what I'm talking about. |
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Splitpair
Premium
join:2000-07-29
Cow Towne
 ·T-Mobile US
| reply to B52GUNR
said by B52GUNR :I think it needs to be criminal, to be honest. We have young girls trying to look like these models at great risk to their health and the models don't even look like how they are portrayed. I think it's not only unethical, but disgusting. »www.metacafe.com/watch/268634/mo···otoshop/
Wayne
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If you cannot fix it with a buttset and some beanies you ain't a technician. |
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bobrk
You kids get offa my lawn
Premium
join:2000-02-02
San Jose, CA
 ·SONIC.NET
| reply to pagerboy
It's a single family home, governed by CC&Rs much like a condo. You own the land, however, with easements to your neighbors.
Since I bough the place directly from the developer, my realtor (unfortunately) was not involved. We bought the place based on a drive by--it was located conveniently in our neighborhood.
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Iraq Coalition Deaths, Graphic | RC5 | bobrk |
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pagerboy
join:2007-03-16
Sudbury, ON | reply to bobrk
If the realtor had given you that artists rendering before you had seen the house then you get rid of that realtor. The rendering is a single family home and the picture looks like a condo. |
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ric b
join:2006-03-23
Saint Louis, MO
1 edit | reply to Edit This
There's LOTS of military people (and others) who may get transferred to a certain area, but are not able to travel for lack of time or money to travel back and forth long distances overseas or whatever. They have to rely on what they see in a photo on the net, what the seller sends them or tells them. Is it their fault that they had to buy without seeing the property in person? Is it their fault that they got duped, by a photo that mis-represents the property or surrounding area(s)? |
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bobrk
You kids get offa my lawn
Premium
join:2000-02-02
San Jose, CA | reply to Mauricio9
I wasn't sure. 
I did have fun sending that picture around to people after I bought the house. |
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KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
·AT&T Yahoo
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·AT&T Southwest
| reply to major marco
said by major marco :Secondly, irrespective of the questionable ethics, if you buy a home based on a picture and don't bother to actually check out what you're buying with you're own eyes, then you deserve everything you get. I'd have to disagree. While common sense says you should try and see everything with your own eyes, these days, especially with the internet, property and assets are often bought and sold based upon pictures and testimonials of the property. Just because a buyer hasn't visited the site personally doesn't mean the seller (or their agents or brokers) have a license to steal, scam, or lie.
If you willingly misrepresent what you are selling then you are committing fraud, pure and simple, irregardless of any "Let the buyer beware" provision.
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"Regulatory capitalism is when companies invest in lawyers, lobbyists, and politicians, instead of plant, people, and customer service." - former FCC Chairman William Kennard (A real FCC Chairman, unlike the current Corporate Spokesperson in the job!) |
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Mauricio9
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Vancouver, BC
1 edit | reply to bobrk
It was sarcasm... but I wonder what would have been your reaction if you had been attracted to the house by the brochure before actually seeing it. |
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bobrk
You kids get offa my lawn
Premium
join:2000-02-02
San Jose, CA | reply to Mauricio9
Not sure what you're asking. I was respond to tmp's comment about artist renderings.
In any case, I was buying this house before I saw the brochure which I found quite amusing. |
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Mauricio9
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Vancouver, BC
| reply to bobrk
And what's the difference between the two images? You mean that being surrounded by other homes rather than cypresses and palm trees actually affects the value of the property? And that a customer has no right in being mighty pissed off if they drove 50 miles on the basis of the top sketch and found the bottom scene? Geez, people are so picky these days.
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My photo galleries |
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