real estate photos...a sword to die on?

[scout8]

Have you signed a listing agreement yet? If not, I would insist that she agree to pay for professional photographs before you will sign the agreement. If she won't, I would find another agent. If you have already signed the listing agreement, I would hire your own photographer and insist that she use those photos in her marketing material.

It is extremely important to have good photos.

Signed,
a real estate agent who pays for professional photos with every listing

[AJR]

Wow thanks for all the replies! I was stuck in an epic meeting.

Thanks for the reassurance that I need to stick to my guns on this one. I did get the online portfolio for her photographer, and it's actually decent--apparently her portriature isn't as good as her architectuals. Also, the photographer does a better job with the features than my realtor's DIY effort. I looked at her online listing again and it looks like she's trying to sell furniture on Craigs List, not a house.

My realtor softened her stance in the email. I cut her some slack because this is also a divorce situation and she's stuck in the middle of my STBXH and me. We've been using this realtor for over a decade--she bends over backwards for us. This is the first time I've ever been disconnected from her strategy, and she's come through. So she stays. I do think she's a better buyer's agent than seller's...but she cares deeply and you can't pay for that.

RELIEF!

[MadamePresident]

Feb 6, 2013 13:17:43 GMT -5 Susie said:

I wouldn't push it with this agent - I'd find a different agent who "gets" it.

I agree with you re: photos, but I don't see why you'd waste the time/energy trying to convince someone who's supposed to be working for you. I'm not interested in paying a realtor's commission to someone that I have to disengage from the selling process!

Exactly!

[hannamaren]

Feb 6, 2013 15:39:15 GMT -5 c7 said:

Feb 6, 2013 15:24:44 GMT -5 FWP said:

Let me start with: I do think it's a hill to die on.

But to play devil's advocate here, pictures are by far not the only thing that a realtor contributes. Also, GBCN leans heavily toward internet-savvy, technology empowered people. There are plenty of people out there who rely on their (buyer's agent) realtor to set up showings at places that meet their requirements. They may never go look up houses before visiting them. Here, a (selling) realtors' networking can be very effective.

There are people who do this?  Even my MIL looks up real estate online first.

Yep. My Mom who doesnt get FB uses mls.