7 Real Estate Photo Tricks That Aren’t Fooling Anyone

In the world of real estate, first impressions don’t happen at the front door—they happen on a screen. Before buyers ever set foot on the property, they’re swiping through photos, making snap judgments based on what they see…or at least what they think they see. A few clicks and scrolls can determine whether a house makes the “must-see” list or not.

Of course, everyone wants their listing to shine online. A little tidying, a flattering angle, some smart lighting—it’s all fair game. But sometimes, listing photos cross over from “enhanced” to “embellished.” Between overly ambitious edits and a few creative liberties, the final result might look more like a fiction than a faithful representation of reality.

So before you break out the virtual magic wand, here are seven listing photo tactics that might seem like a good idea—but could backfire spectacularly when the buyer shows up and wonders if they’re even in the right house:

1) Was It a Wide-Angle Lens… or a Lied-Angle One?

There are some tell-tale signs when a wide-angle lens is used, like wider the normal appliances in the kitchen, but not every buyer will pick up on it in the listing photos. Unfortunately, they’re only going to feel lied to when they get into your kitchen and it looks more like a kitchenette than a chef’s dream.

2) Over-Brightening Isn’t Such a Bright Idea…

You definitely don’t want dark photos, so opening the blinds, turning on some lights, and using the flash on the camera aren’t bad ideas. But using the brightening feature in editing to the point where it feels like there may have been a nuclear blast right in your backyard just as the photo was taken isn’t advisable.

For one, it can be pretty obvious and turn people off just from the photos alone, but even if they don’t notice you dialed up the brightness, it’s going to make your house seem less cheerful in person.

3) They’ll See Your True Colors Shining Through (Eventually)

Paint almost never looks exactly the way it looked in samples once it’s on the walls. And it can also look a little different in pictures than it does in person. But when you play around with the contrast and color saturation in your photos, it can completely throw off a buyer when they step into your home.

While buyers are always advised that they can easily change the paint color if they don’t love it, it’s still something plenty of buyers use as an excuse to nix a home from their short list.

4) Virtual Furniture, Real Disappointment

Virtual staging can help buyers imagine the potential, but when there’s no “before” photo representing the current reality to compare, it’s probably going to backfire. Suddenly that cool updated room is just an outdated, empty den with a ratty recliner, wood paneling, and popcorn ceilings.

Make sure buyers see both the potential, and what they’re walking into, before they actually walk into it.

5) Would You Please Just Cut the Crop

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to show the “good side” of the room. But when every photo conveniently cuts off right before the avocado-green stove or that mysterious ceiling stain, buyers aren’t fooled. Cropping out the ugly doesn’t make it disappear. It just makes them wonder what else you’re hiding.

6) Is This the Twilight Zone?

Those romantic, moody dusk photos with perfectly lit windows and glowing porches are gorgeous! (Not to mention the fake fire burning in the fireplace…)

But those shots are rarely natural, and probably not something that can even be recreated in nature. It would take the absolute perfect night, weather conditions, and timing to possibly catch a glimpse even similar to those shots. If a buyer swings by at sunset, the odds are your house is going to look kind of sad in comparison.

7) Scenic…ish

That lush park or glittering lake sure looks close in the listing. But show up in person and it turns out to be a 15-minute drive, two left turns, and a hike past a dumpster. Just because something is nearby doesn’t make the amenity part of the property.

If you’re including a shot that makes it seem like the house has a waterview or some other cool scenery or attraction, the buyer better not need to stand on the roof with a pair of binoculars to catch a glimpse of it.