Should Listing Photos Be Removed After the Sale?

Some home buyers express concern that photos of their properties continue to live on real estate websites after they’ve closed on the purchase, and they’re asking real estate professionals to help take them down, citing privacy and security issues.

Per the MLS:

“Photos submitted to the MLS may not be removed from the Service with the exception of (1) replacing photos to reflect a change in the seasons, (2) reflecting improvements to the home; or (3) substituting a higher quality photo of the same image.

“While secondary photos may not be removed from the Service, a listing broker may instruct the Service to suppress off market secondary photos (but not primary photos) from the Service’s data feed to third parties (such as Zillow.com, Realtor.com, Trulia.com and the listing agent’s own brokerage site). Unauthorized removal of photos shall result in a $250 fine and the photos will be restored to the listing.”

Learn more about this issue HERE.