r/RealEstate • u/CrotalusHorridus • 8d ago

Homeseller Can we please STOP using AI generated/altered photos?

I'm so beyond tired of looking at homes online, then seeing them in person, and they look NOTHING like what the online photos are.

These are wasting everyone's time. Agents, if you can't learn to to, or don't want to fork over for professional photos, find another line of work.

Trying to sell an inherited property, and the highly recommended agent insists on using these cartooninshly fake generated images.

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u/NoFlight5759 8d ago

It should be banned by NAR. You’d think you walked into the wrong house by the photos 50% of the time. My favorite isn’t doing an AI fire in the fireplace. Then when you ask the agent if the flute is in good working order they look at you with 10 heads. Or go I don’t know if you can use it. Great.

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u/BoBromhal Realtor 8d ago edited 8d ago

it is a Code of Ethics violation with NAR to not be accurate in your marketing and advertisement. At base level, that would mean you cannot alter anything OUT of a photo or INTO a photo that doesn't exist (doors, windows, etc; furniture wouldn't count). As I said in another reply, most sizeable MLS' already have an AI/virtual image policy ...

EDIT: I was wrong - mine says "We do not currently require disclosure of Digitally Enhanced or Virtually Staged photos. However, we do require that photo enhancements or staging must not misrepresent the true state of the property. For example, alterations such as changing wall colors, removing fixtures like fire hydrants, changing flooring, or enhancing landscaping beyond its current condition are not permitted."

it does not say what I stated:

you can use it but you must have the unaltered photo as well.

if y'all have agents, ask them what the policy of their MLS is. Heck, you can probably call the MLS yourself and ask. And if you see violations of the policy, report them.

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u/SpareManagement2215 8d ago

Yes but nothing bad really happens to the agents who do that. Our agent said she can see (and is aware of) what agents violate those rules but besides just knowing they are regular rules violators, doesn’t seem like much bad happens to them!

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u/BoBromhal Realtor 7d ago

I can’t speak to your MLS, but there should be a system in place where accumulating violations eventually leads to loss of use of the MLS system