The Zoo stop
Getting up at 5AM when you are used to getting up at 8:30AM is a drag. Even the cat looked at me as though I was nuts. But, he gleefully accepted his morning Friskies aka Crack for Cats.
There, of course was purpose to my early rising…a train trip from ZFV (Philadelphia’s 30th Street train station) to the beautiful gem of Union Station in our nation’s capitol and then on the Metro to the Zoo stop where the NAR Mid Year Conference was being held.
Yes, I know, I could go into the Zoo-NAR comparisons Instead, I will let you enjoy the comparisons in your own head.
Meeting of my dreams
Into the Marriott, not from my chariot, up the hill and through the lobby to a get to the Omni where the meeting of my dreams was being held. But alas, the security guard stopped me from using that shortcut…the DCPD had the street closed due to a package found in the street.
Go down the hill, around the corner and into the Omni, down the hall, down the steps and into the Regency Ballroom to the NAR Multiple Listing Service Committee meeting.
And there, as promised, on the agenda was the change to the NAR Code of Ethics that required a picture be placed with every MLS listing.
Requiring pictures in MLS listings?
I have been complaining to my MLS in the Philadelphia area, TrendMLS about the fact that I have wasted my time with listings that don’t have pictures. Were the agents hiding something? Were they trying to get the people to call them so they could double-bubble? Did they just not care about selling the place for their Seller?
Well, through my efforts and others from around the world (there was a guy from Guam that was there to complain!) the committee passed the change to the bylaws!
It must be ratified by the full board but that is a given.
Back aboard Amtrak with a smile!
Hey trend…get the picture??
Melanie Wyne
May 14, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Fred,
I recall a phone conversation we had on this topic. Glad to hear you got a positive result from your efforts. I think this is a great example of identifying an issue and bringing it to the attention of the relevant NAR committee for resolution. Its a little bit like that lottery slogan, “You’ve got to play to win.” Congratulations.
Fred Glick
May 14, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Thanks Melanie,
You got the NAR ball rolling for me and yes, dreams do come true
Mike
May 14, 2010 at 6:39 pm
One photo is a result? One photo? No offense to you Fred, but 6 interior photos should be mandatory unless the seller signs a disclosure that they DO NOT want interior photos. 1 photo is just plain laziness. The MLS is a historic snap-shot of the property at a point in time. Agents as well as appraisers rely on it. How many bad appraisals came in, partly due to a sold or two, that had only one exterior photo, but was treated as an equal to your upgraded listing? It’s happened to me twice this year. I immediately lose respct for an agent, (perhaps unfairly so) if I see only one photo.
/steps off soap box.
Colleen
May 14, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Nice work. Until now, I did not realize this is a problem. At least in our area, agents are good about posting photos.
Benn Rosales
May 14, 2010 at 7:38 pm
A minimum standard is better than no standard. Good on NAR. Question though. Do the states and locals have the right to have a standard higher than the national in this case?
Fred Glick
May 14, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Mike, I hear ya. NAR sometimes has to crawl before they can walk, but the agents that don’t do a lot of pictures are dinosaurs anyway.
BawldGuy
May 15, 2010 at 1:55 pm
NAR amends bylaws for pics? Stop the presses. A problem that’s been nakedly upfront for at least a couple decades, probably more like four, has been addressed. Let’s hear it for Raisin’ the Bar!!
Missy Caulk
May 15, 2010 at 2:34 pm
…and the repercussions are?
A good start, but not enough IMO
Erica Ramus
May 15, 2010 at 2:49 pm
No NOT ENOUGH. Our MLS requires 1 photo. Woo hoo. Big deal.
I listed a higher end property recently — one you would take 25 photos of and load them ALL on the system because it is a GREAT HOUSE.
Prior agent had 1 exterior shot. Period. None of the immaculate, upgraded interior.
It expired after 6 mo and I showed the seller the MLS sheet prior agent had on the MLS, and then side-by-side what I do for sellers. If only they know how bad some agents are before they sign that listing contract.
Joe Spake
May 16, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Fred, sorry I missed seeing you at midyear. The picture policy seems like such a no-brainer. Glad it’s moving forward.
jay arlington condos
May 16, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Cool. Maybe more photos should be mandatory. Of course an agent could just show photos of nothing essentially to get around it. To help buyers and agents waste less time I think I like the idea of mandatory minimum # of pictures. 1 is almost worthless but it’s a start.
Susie Blackmon
May 17, 2010 at 6:29 am
Amazing that ‘we’ have to mandate photos of what realtors are selling.
Erica Ramus
May 17, 2010 at 7:56 am
Exactly. “Mandate” what should be common sense. Want to sell the house, UPLOAD PHOTOS. Not just 1 stinky exterior shot with your car’s rear view mirror in it. But a bunch of good photos so the buyer can see what the house really is like.
I have an appt this morning in a nice middle-class house, with great decorating and colors (I was in here before). Buyer asked, “Why is there just 1 photo?” I replied, “Because the listing agent must be lazy. This is a great house.”
If I had not been in there before, I would not have known it’s a great house. And perhaps I would not have encouraged buyer to go through.
Agents are lazy. No amount of carrots or sticks will make them less lazy.
Hank Lerner
May 17, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Just to be clear, the policy reads as follows: “Multiple Listing Services may, as a matter of local discretion, require submission of a reasonable number of photographs or other graphic representations that accurately depict listed property except where sellers expressly direct that photographs of their property not appear in MLS compilations.” See all new policies at realtor.org/narcomar.nsf/AllReportsbyID/86256DF20017A60C862577040061FC8F
Discretion on number of photos, types, and time of submission are all local options.