quatrix
Premium
join:2005-02-11
Davie, FL
| reply to Mauricio9
Re: The ethics of "Photoshopping" Real Estate Listings.
said by Mauricio9  :If you can't get a clearer view without the power lines by walking around or changing lenses, then the clearer view does not exist. Part of the value of the property is determined by how it looks from outside, power lines and all. If after putting on your superwide angle you still can't get a view without the power lines, then it means that they are going to be in your field of view no matter where you stand. How is that any different? Whether you take the photo from a different angle, stand with the wires behind you, or edit the finished photo, you're still consciously trying to deceive people. |
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Gizy
Have you thanked a soldier today?
Premium
join:2002-08-26
Lake Oswego, OR
clubs:
| reply to Edit This
Is it deceptive and unethical? Yes of course.
Does it happen more than most would think? Yes
Would I do it if asked? Short of cloning out date stamps that someone left on the image, no.
Is it also the responsibility of the buyer to do their due diligence before buying? Absolutely. That's what the the due diligence period is for in real estate.
I've done apartment renting on line as well as looking for a home. The images might be what first attracts my attention, but until I look at something in person, I'm not going to sign a contract.
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Any Soldier
Don't judge a picture by its camera. My Gallery
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jaykaykay
4 Ever Young
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-13
Scottsdale, AZ
 ·Speakeasy
| reply to Edit This
I have to agree with Gizmo2002 that to do one's due diligence is a required part of a purchase, especially a home. However, on that same note, many homes are purchased through the Internet these days, some of them without ever being seen. These people cannot and do not actually see the property and have to rely upon a picture and a Realtor, who perhaps isn't seeing the property the same way that the buyer is. Would taking something out be any better than cloning in a several million dollar property next door when it's actually HUD housing? I don't think so. I really believe that nothing should be taken out or put in when advertising. If either is done, it's not only unethical to me but also probably illegal in many States and places. If it's worth the $$$, leave it alone and let it sell on its own.
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JKK
Age is a very high price to pay for my maturity. If I can't stay young, I can at least stay immature!
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jjoshua
Premium
join:2001-06-01
Scotch Plains, NJ
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Comcast
| reply to bobrk
said by bobrk :No, one is an entertainment, and the other is a representation of real property for sale. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars will be shoveled around in wheelbarrows for many months by many people with a lot on the line. It's way different. So ethical vs. unethical depends on the $ amount? Ouch. |
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bobrk
You kids get offa my lawn
Premium
join:2000-02-02
San Jose, CA
·SONIC.NET
| said by jjoshua :said by bobrk :No, one is an entertainment, and the other is a representation of real property for sale. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars will be shoveled around in wheelbarrows for many months by many people with a lot on the line. It's way different. So ethical vs. unethical depends on the $ amount? Ouch. Although that may practically be the case for many people, it's actually a legal issue. You can debate whether civil suits are about the money or not.
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Iraq Coalition Deaths, Graphic | RC5 | bobrk |
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Mauricio9
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Vancouver, BC
| reply to jjoshua
said by jjoshua :[So ethical vs. unethical depends on the $ amount? Ouch. No. You are not buying the models that appear in ads.
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pete424
Premium
join:2001-03-09
Andover, KS
clubs:
| reply to bobrk
My wife and I are Realtors and I do all the photos for our listings as well as the visual tours. First of all let me make a blanket statement, photographic misrepresentation is wrong and will likely land you in court eventually. That said, no one (in my experience) buys a house over the internet without seeing it. I photoshop many of the pictures I take but only to correct my shortcomings as a photographer. I never edit to change what the potential buyer will be buying. I don't put trees or grass where there is none but I might make the toys in the backyard go away. |
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Mauricio9
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Vancouver, BC
| reply to quatrix
said by quatrix :said by Mauricio9 :If you can't get a clearer view without the power lines by walking around or changing lenses, then the clearer view does not exist. Part of the value of the property is determined by how it looks from outside, power lines and all. If after putting on your superwide angle you still can't get a view without the power lines, then it means that they are going to be in your field of view no matter where you stand. How is that any different? Whether you take the photo from a different angle, stand with the wires behind you, or edit the finished photo, you're still consciously trying to deceive people. If you can get a shot without the powerlines, that implies that there is a perspective from where the view of the house is unobstructed. If you can't and photoshop them out, you imply there is a perspective from where the view of the house is unobstructed when in reality there isn't. That is very different in my book.
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ric b
join:2006-03-23
Saint Louis, MO
| reply to Edit This
If anyone follows the linked page to the original article via another link, it appears as though the realty company or board is trying to justify duping people. Which to me is unethical to begin with.
There's two sides to buying an expensive house, one is the people buying the property/house, the other is the realtor who's going to make money off of selling that house or property. Often times these days, money clouds people's good judgement. They won't actually think they're doing anything wrong as long as they walk away with a commission for the sold property.
It's hard enough to know who to trust anymore, without something as unethical as this possibly popping up. When I went to look at property a few months ago, I was told by one agent that it's a buyers market. When I asked another about possibly selling my home, this agent told me it was a sellers market. So, which is it? Me thinks it's the agents market, in reality. |
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Splitpair
Premium
join:2000-07-29
Cow Towne
 ·T-Mobile US
| reply to pete424
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
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If you cannot fix it with a buttset and some beanies you ain't a technician. |
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jjoshua
Premium
join:2001-06-01
Scotch Plains, NJ
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| reply to Mauricio9
said by Mauricio9 :said by jjoshua :[So ethical vs. unethical depends on the $ amount? Ouch. No. You are not buying the models that appear in ads. How about if the person uses the photo for an on-line dating service? Then it becomes unethical? |
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jays2345
join:2006-05-16
va. | reply to Edit This
ive thought about this recently although its prob not done in a small area im sure pro photographers and some image editing or altering is done in bigger citys |
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ariesguy
join:2001-01-30 | reply to Edit This
I find it to be "suspect," but I wouldn't say it's illegal or unethical. I know auto dealers do it all the time.. it's along those same lines. Just put a disclaimer in and you're good to go. |
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Mauricio9
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Vancouver, BC
| reply to jjoshua
said by jjoshua :said by Mauricio9 :said by jjoshua :[So ethical vs. unethical depends on the $ amount? Ouch. No. You are not buying the models that appear in ads. How about if the person uses the photo for an on-line dating service? Then it becomes unethical? Yes. Not illegal though.
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pete424
Premium
join:2001-03-09
Andover, KS
clubs:
2 edits | reply to Edit This
Then legally you have moved from a photograph of the property to a representation of the property.
I'm not sure I understand your point. Toys in the backyard, are not a representation of the property anymore than an unmade bed is. My point is that I do not misrepresent the property. Legally, what is the distinction between a photograph and a representation of a property? |
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tmpchaos
Requiescat in pace
Premium,Mod
join:2000-04-28
Hoboken, NJ
clubs:  
Host:
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| 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 I'd have to disagree. The toys, assuming that they're transient items, would not be a problem to remove via retouch. Replacing them with a hot tub would be a problem, though.
In other words, removing a temporary imperfection should be permitted; altering a permanent installation is pure deception.
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Bush implies I'm a traitor. I'm proud of that.
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shane349
Premium
join:2005-03-21
Delta, OH | reminds me of those carfax commercials for some reason. or my friend photochoping his car on autotrader. |
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major marco
Res Firma Mitescere Nescit
Premium
join:2003-02-13
Stepford, CA
clubs:
|  reply to Edit This
First of all, in California at least, everything you're buying is right there in the papers you're signing. And if the agent and/or broker put something in the docs, or missed putting something there that should have been been before you signed on the dotted line, then you can turn around and litigate.
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.
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The Toll
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Mauricio9
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Vancouver, BC
| The papers you are signing do not describe the neighboring properties or the paths of powerlines outside the property in question - those things nonetheless can have a large impact on property values.
I agree that if you buy a house without seeing it, you are chump. But these ads are used to attract customers, making them waste their time. Bait and switch.
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tmpchaos
Requiescat in pace
Premium,Mod
join:2000-04-28
Hoboken, NJ
clubs: | In many ways, just like the artist's renderings of new construction... |
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