How important are interior photos?

Ask Phyllis: a blog series of frequently asked real estate questions.

Dear Phyllis,

My mother is currently in rehab, and once she recovers, we plan to move her to an assisted living facility closer to my family. After that, we’ll be selling her home in Torrance. Unfortunately, the house is in extremely poor condition. Relocating her will be a lot of work, and we want to sell the house as-is, without making any repairs. There are holes in the walls from old plumbing leaks, and one of the bathrooms has been gutted. Although my mother has the funds to cover these repairs, she chose not to do them and lived in the house as it is. I feel embarrassed for the neighbors to see how she lived, so I don’t want any interior photos or open houses. The Realtor I spoke with insists that both are essential for marketing the home. How important do you think interior photos really are? I’d appreciate your perspective.

Thank you,

Jan

Dear Jan,

Thank you for your question. I understand your situation, and the Realtor you hire should respect your wishes and your mom’s privacy. I can imagine how challenging it must be for you to manage all these aspects. Home buyers pay more attention when they are engaged. Although interior photos are important, they are not necessary. You might consider having some interior photos that the Realtor you hire can send to other Realtors if asked. They don’t need to be added to the multiple listing service (MLS). This is simply an option but your choice.

Open houses are a great way to bring in potential buyers, but since your mother’s house is vacant, scheduling showings will be easy. I recommend having your Realtor take exterior photos and possibly a drone shot. In the MLS remarks, your agent could note that the home is a fixer-upper, if you’re comfortable with that. Something like, “This home offers the perfect opportunity to renovate to your taste” would work. Your situation is not uncommon, and I have encountered it before, always ensuring to respect my client’s preferences.

I wish your mom a speedy recovery.

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How important are interior photos?

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