I write about this every year. I have no idea why I do it. Maybe deep down inside I think I can make a difference. That someone will see my message and it will change the way they market their listings, or maybe I just like this photograph.
I took it during the last big snow storm which was in March of 2008. It was one of the beautiful snow storms where the snow clung to everything and had mostly melted away by the end of the day. A good old fashioned March snow storm. The building is Lauer flats on Western Ave. in St. Paul. I had a listing in the building at the time of the photo but it already had an offer on it and I took the shot because the building is beautiful and fun to photograph, and I thought it looked especially nice with all the snow clinging to the trees.
When I look at property photos on the MLS, I am reminded of winter. It is August yet there are property photos where the homes are covered in snow. Those photos let the buyer know that the home has been on the market forever and that the seller does not care much about it. Not enough to even check to see how it is being marketed. Nothing says neglect like a property photo with snow in it at the end of August.
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When I had my house on the market this winter, I literally went out and raked the snow off my bushes. Not that it really helped much.
You’re right, snow pictures bite.
I agree 100%. Most pictures on the MLS already suck. But leaving a picture with the house and yard covered in snow on the MLS through the summer is horrible. Pictures attract buyers! Agents need to spend more time on photos or hire professionals.
Maybe they just want the buyers to be in a Christmassy kind of mood?
I find it unbelievable how lazy some agents are. I freshen up my photos at least every season hopefully the homes are not there more than one! That is a really great picture. You really have to be ready to capture a snowy photo on a great piece of real estate in Charlotte. You have only a few hours a year to see the fluffy white stuff:)
I don’t even have to look at the listing history when I see snow in the pictures now. It also is a clue that when only 1 picture is listed (along with long listing time) that has a good chance of being bank owned.
It seems like a seasonal product. Photos like this needs to be updated.