Snow in August?

Warren Reynolds — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:30:50 +0000

The Massachusetts MLS might contain compelling new proof of global climate change. But is it really climate change or just out of date home marketing photos?

A few home listings on the MLS recently displayed exterior home photos showing heavy snow on the ground. In late August at the height of a heat wave!

So we know it’s not climate change – just incredibly poor judgment by some listing agents.

MLS photos are disseminated to quite a number of “feeder” real estate sites, so how your home is portrayed in MLS photos is really important. Since the overwhelming majority of buyers conduct their home searches via the Internet, good photos are critical to the first impression your home makes. And good first impressions often determine which homes get showing appointments . . . and offers.

To be using MLS photos at the end of summer showing snow on the ground seems at best indifference and perhaps outright intentional neglect by the listing agent.

These agents have had months to get out to the property and take a few new warm weather shots. Buyers might reasonably conclude that the listing agent is ignoring the listing because the agent thinks the home will not sell.

You can see out-of-season photos every year on the MLS: summer shots in January and February and now we get dead-of-winter photos in sweltering 90 degree weather.

Either way, out-of-season MLS photos should be a big listing agent no-no!

The post Snow in August? first appeared on 02038 Real Estate.

Out of Season Photos Speak Volumes

Warren Reynolds — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:07:25 +0000

Here it is late January and there’s lots of snow on the ground. We’ve had plenty of snow since December.

However, there are still lots of photos on MLS showing green grass, leafy trees and bright sunshine!

Consider what prospective buyers may think when they see inappropriate seasons as they view photos of a home on-line. They may think of a negligent listing agent who’s stopped caring about a listing that is not selling. Or imagine that they’re viewing a listing long in tooth that no one wants to buy.

Agents should always update exterior shots of their listings. The ideas is to show snow shots in winter, leafy new growth in spring, and the splendor of red and yellow leaves as fall reaches its peak.

Summer home photos in the winter (and vice versa) are all too common on the MLS and may unintentionally speak volumes about the desirability (and asking price) of any home for sale.

The post Out of Season Photos Speak Volumes first appeared on 02038 Real Estate.

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Snow in August?

Out of Season Photos Speak Volumes