In September, Realcomp’s Board of Governors rescinded their decision to “no longer allow MLS Subscribers to remove photos from their listings”. This decision came after many Realcomp subscribers contacted us to voice concern about the new policy.

Realcomp’s Board of Governors heard your concerns and continued to look at solutions for preserving the integrity of the MLS photo database for the benefit of all subscribers. In October, based on feedback from the MLS User Committee, your Board of Governors approved a new photo policy to prohibit the deletion of listing photos from any “SOLD” listing.

This policy allows agents the flexibility to refresh their listing photos as needed when the property is actively marketed, while preserving the listing photos at the time of the property’s sale.

Preserving the property photos for SOLD listings will provide appraisers the ability to better reference property conditions of sold properties and accurately perform valuations of comparable properties. It will also allow agents and brokers to create more accurate CMAs and BPOs.

The Board also discussed the need for listing agents to relay the importance of listing photos remaining in the MLS after the sale of the property to their sellers. If a seller expresses concern about valuables in the home being photographed, the listing agent should suggest that these items be put away as a part of the de-cluttering/staging recommendations they share.

This new MLS photo policy has been added to Realcomp’s MLS Policy document and goes into effect immediately. If you have any questions about this information, please contact Realcomp’s Customer Care Department at support@realcomp.com. Thank you.