The problem with ohotos on MLS is rampant. As a Real Estate agent I have to cope with that day in, day out. My first question as a Seller to an agent would be if he provides professional photography on his marketing package?
Bad photos on a listing only shows disrespect towards a client that has trusted his/hers most valueable asset for you to advertise for sale. Why is this happening deserves a three fold answer:
1.- Lack of knowledge of the average seller about the power that of a good set of photos has on advertising. The photos are the first point of contact of the client with the house (remember there is no second chance for a first impression) With then either you attract prospects, or you don't. Often times the seller can not compare a good with a bad photo of his house
2.- Lack of knowledge of the average Real Estate agent about advertising
3.- Unwillingness on the part of the agent to expend an extra $
I offer my clients professional photos, video, and a custom web-site of the property.
I can tell you from my own experience that they are amazed to see their home displayed on quality pictures. The surpise is enhanced when clients were previously listed and they get to compare the showcase now and then.

Photos can be helpful or hurtful to a property.

As a former professional videographer and now a Realtor, I can tell you dark photos are just lazy. Lack of photos for key areas of homes may be a sign that the owner/Realtor does not WANT you to see it because it will negatively impact your desire to make further inquiry.

Selling real estate is an art. Photos are a tool of the trade. They can be used masterfully if the Realtor understands what power they hold by either taking good/bad or suppressing pictures. It can also simply be "cheapness" or inexperience that leads to bad shots making it onto the Internet.

I hear your complaint and would suggest as a savvy buyer you ask yourself WHY the photos may be posted online in that manner.

Hi David,

Many realtors list their sellers properties very badly indeed. I have seen listings with multiple spelling mistakes, bad photographs or in too many situations, no description and no photographs at all.
There are many companies that realtors can hire to have the homes photographed professionally and we use one of them right now.
the way a realtor lists a house has a huge impact on how quickly the house will say, so to be honest, more often than not, in my opinion, it is laziness on the part of the realtor.

David your so right.But some people like to keep you in the dark about what the seller will be selling.David less photo's is more money in the bank,funny if I may say this but. I need every inch of a home with a photo that you can see.If its going to be listed for sale on the internet , are really anywhere its listed.David you are so right but what can they do about dark pic's of the property that never sells because of dark pic's...This is gotta hurt....lol David can you help? Do you take photo's for a small fee thats not dark.

Hi David,
You are absolutely right good photos are important. I agree.
Genny