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Rainmaker
400,356
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

I had a listing where the seller had the entire interior of the property painted bright green.  Every single room was bright green.

People were really distracted by it and talked all about "Why did he do that?!!"

The seller refused to paint a neutral color and said that people who couldn't picture what the place would look like were stupid.  

I had the wall color in all the pictures Photoshopped to a neutral color and loaded them side by side in the MLS and other advertising.  I clearly stated the neutral color was for illustration purposes only.

May 03, 2015 07:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

As needed. 

May 03, 2015 10:00 AM
Rainmaker
666,539
AJ Heidmann ~ CRS
McEnearney Associates, Inc. - Alexandria, VA
YOUR Alexandria & Arlington, VA Real Estate Expert

Paul -  Yes, I will adjust a listing photo, but just for color or brightness... I'm not putting in a virtual green lawn or removing high tension wires.  It helps to present the property in the best possible light when mother nature may not be cooperating.

May 03, 2015 08:37 AM
Rainmaker
1,770,282
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

Absolutely. But only to improve the quality of the photo, never to 'digitally stage' it or present an untrue view.

May 03, 2015 07:14 AM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Yes always. Adobe Photos shop is an excellent and professional tool. I lighten up the photos and they look natural. I have had this software for years.

May 03, 2015 06:48 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Yes, for color and shadows.  And occasionally to remove something that I should have removed before taking the pictures.  But, I never alter the physical appearance of the home or interior.

May 03, 2015 05:59 AM
Rainer
67,369
Evelyn M Epperson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Johns Creek, GA
A Tradition Of [Excellence, Trust & Service]

Yes I edit every photo I am going to use.  I like to brighten the photos and crop.

May 03, 2015 05:52 AM
Rainmaker
386,078
Trumps Elite
Keller Williams Realty Acadiana - Lafayette, LA
Realtors/Career Consultant

Yes but I keep it representative of the home. 

May 03, 2015 05:14 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Paul -- I don't but I assume my professional photographers enhance colors or change certain things.  As long as it is not deceptive, I don't see an issue with doing so.  

May 03, 2015 07:58 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good morning Paul. Most folks that I know do Photoshop their listing photos.

May 03, 2015 06:57 PM
Rainmaker
2,362,701
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

No - I am not that skilled, but I assume that the photographer that I pay to do my photos corrects them in various ways - to lighten them or heighten contrast etc. 

May 03, 2015 01:14 PM
Rainmaker
7,835,407
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Every photograph should be edited for the best results. There are easier alternatives than Photoshop.

May 03, 2015 11:08 AM
Rainmaker
1,333,924
June Piper-Brandon
Coldwell Banker Realty - Columbia, MD
Creating Generational Wealth Through Homeownership

No, I do not photoshop any of my listing photos.  I would think that could be deceptive. 

May 03, 2015 07:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Yes, and I use other editing programs that will go unmentioned.

May 04, 2015 12:06 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Never

May 03, 2015 11:24 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Other than cropping no, because there is nothing worse than the buyer getting there and the home is not like the picture. Often they find it worse because the pictures were so nice.

May 03, 2015 10:46 PM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Photoshop / Lightroom is just like a lot of other photo editing tools. Easy to adjust tones, clarity, etc while still presenting a true picture of the house.

May 03, 2015 10:28 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

We use a professional photographer.  He does a great job and does not need to doctor them up.

May 03, 2015 09:57 PM
Rainer
145,780
Jeffrey Hogue
Jeffrey Hogue Realtor Group - Reading, PA
Real Estate Pro in Pennsylvania Since 1993

Yes. I also run them through Lightroom. I do not move things or alter tyhe photo in a way that would be dishonest. I also use no less than a 17 MM lens and in most cases try to stay at around 24mm. This way a 10 x 12 room does not look like a ballrom dance floor. Very deceiving. Check out my prop photo owrk at http://jeffreyhoguerealtor.com

May 03, 2015 05:15 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Paul S. Henderson - no photoshop - though I have started using Ribbet...looks good.

May 03, 2015 02:40 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

No, I don't know how to photo shop anything...nor would I if I could.

May 03, 2015 02:02 PM
Rainmaker
969,888
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

I use a professional photographer for all our listing photos. 

May 03, 2015 01:49 PM
Rainer
509,531
S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL
United Realty Group, Inc. - Davie, FL
Davie, Plantation, Cooper City & Weston Specialist

Sometimes... but only minimally.  MLS photos should look good but natural.

May 03, 2015 11:54 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I edit them yes. I don't use photoshop everytime but usually modify with some editting tool.

May 03, 2015 11:48 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Paul S. Henderson Only to correct the exposure.

May 03, 2015 11:21 AM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

If they need it.

May 03, 2015 10:32 AM
Ambassador
2,161,048
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Maybe it's my glasses but I noticed that digital photos often seem flat so I like to add a little contrast when needed or straighten out a photo when I was holding thoe camer not quite straight. That's about it.

May 03, 2015 10:21 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

When I took my own photos, I used photoshop elements to lighten them and toucb them up. That program is far easier to use than the full blown photoshop.

May 03, 2015 10:15 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,472
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

For 98% of my listings I use a professional photographer, so no on those.   For the small condos I take them, and do lighten or sharpen the photos .

May 03, 2015 10:00 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

no, no, no..... and no again....

May 03, 2015 06:16 AM
Rainmaker
938,537
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Paul, we do not photoshop any of our listing photos.

May 03, 2015 05:31 AM
Rainer
116,459
Sonatta Camara
Camara & Co. - The Real Estate Group - Washington, DC

Nooooooo

May 03, 2015 04:41 AM
Rainmaker
699,277
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

I can not imagine why anyone would want to photoshop a listing photo unless it's to possibly lighten it up.  My opinion is that I'm selling someones property and not entering into the most beautiful photo contest.  People like different things. 

May 06, 2015 12:28 AM
Rainmaker
522,311
Bill Kennedy
Keller Williams Greenville Upstate - Greenville, SC
Homes For Sale Greenville SC

I think a little exposure adjustment goes a long way. I have noticed an increase in HDR photos in the MLS that seem overworked!

May 05, 2015 05:29 AM
Rainer
61,641
Renee Paray
Coldwell Banker Realty - Blue Bell, PA
REALTOR

I do not photoshop my listing photos. I occasionally crop them. 

May 05, 2015 04:50 AM
Rainer
6,537
Brian Doles

The best free editing software out there is Picasa by Google. I do a little photography as a hobby and it's by far the easiest.

May 04, 2015 04:26 AM
Rainer
306,514
Brad Rachielles
CENTURY 21 Peak, Ca BRE# 01489453 - Upland, CA
REALTOR, CDPE, Upland, CA

Photoshop or other programs have the ability to return to original the distortions created by the camera or photographer. Color correction to true color, barrel distortion removal, some perspective distortions by improper use of lenses etc. I've recently noted that several are using software to create distortions called HDR where the picture looks unnatural and almost pencil drawn. This is even being done by those taking money for their bad photography.

May 04, 2015 02:28 AM
Rainmaker
192,741
Temple Callahan
Connect Real Estate - REALTOR / BROKER - Ventura, CA
Search Ventura County Homes For Sale CA

I don't actually "photo shop" the pictures, but I do edit them.  Like adjust the lighting and crop them.  This just sharpens them up, and keeps them true to the actual home pics too.  :-)  Great question to post!

May 04, 2015 01:17 AM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

No.

Aug 03, 2018 11:15 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Color correction if needed.  Altering reality? no

Oct 27, 2017 05:05 AM
Rainer
27,808
Jim McCord
Keller Williams Pinnacle Group - Cincinnati, OH
#1 Best Selling Author & Real Estate Coach

No, but I hire a great photographer to take the photos!

May 08, 2015 03:36 AM