Thanks to a prominent TV Show and another REALOTR\u00ae touching up pictures with Photoshop, and getting caught, we again have the discussion about if or if not to touch up pictures to make a house look much better online.<\/p>\n
A Colum published by MSN Real Estate that was written by bankrate.com called Not-so-real estate: Is it ethical to alter photos?<\/a> had several good example of when and when not to touch up.<\/p>\n Quote from article:<\/p>\n Randy Cohen, who wrote “The Ethicist” column for The New York Times Magazine, calls it unambiguously unethical and deliberately deceitful. \u201cYou might photograph the backyard from a particular angle to emphasize the view of the waterfall, and no one would quibble. But if you deliberately remove<\/b> a bush to get that view, you’re definitely crossing the line.\u201d<\/p>\n The REALTOR\u00ae codes of ethics under Article 1 states:<\/p>\n When representing a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, or other client as an agent, REALTORS\u00ae pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their client. This obligation to the client is primary, but it does not relieve REALTORS\u00ae of their obligation to treat all parties honestly.<\/b> When serving a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant or other party in a nonagency capacity, REALTORS\u00ae remain obligated to treat all parties honestly.<\/b><\/p>\n Here now comes the argument. Is touching up a listing picture with Photoshop a possible violation of the code of ethics by possible not treating all parties, aka the buyer who looked at the house because the REALTORS\u00ae decided to Photoshop the picture?<\/p>\n When you asked the REALTORS\u00ae from NM he might tell you not to do it.<\/p>\n He touched up a sellers house to present it in a better light on the internet, received a sight unseen offer with the earnest money check from an out of state buyer. \u00a0As that buyer was finally able to look at the home in person an immediate complaint was filed against the NM REALTORS\u00ae and he almost lost his license.<\/p>\n Here are my thoughts and I am not an attorney:<\/p>\n When you have to Photoshop out a toy you overlooked in the yard as you took the picture you would be fine. Removing power lines, trees, bushes or straighten out a wall, would in my eyes go too far. \u00a0The code of Ethics clearly states that the REALTORS\u00ae is to treat all parties honestly<\/b> and photo shopping real from real estate is not treating all parties honestly and many listing services now have the rule that they do not allow picture that were photo shopped.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thanks to a prominent TV Show and another REALOTR\u00ae touching up pictures with Photoshop, and getting caught, we again have the discussion about if or if not to touch up pictures to make a house look much better online. A Colum published by MSN Real Estate that was written by bankrate.com called Not-so-real estate: Is … Continue reading To Photoshop or not to Photoshop a listing picture<\/span>