Many of you have reached out to us regarding concerns your clients have about photos of their properties being online for everyone to see. In an effort to address this concern, some of you have resorted to deleting photos prior to closing out a listing.
Deleting the photos is not an option regardless of whether the listing is currently on or off the market:
Per Attachment C of the SmartMLS Rules and Regulations:
Photos submitted may not be removed from the Service, except for (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. Removal of photos shall result in a $250 fine and the photos restored to the listing.
It is also against SmartMLS Rules to alter any permanently off market listing, since all of the data, including photos, is part of the listing's permanent record. Doing so would also be a huge disservice to other real estate professionals who access previous photos when using legacy listings as comps in CMAs, tracking improvements on properties over time, etc.
Even though photos may not be removed from listings on the MLS, we have made an adjustment to our internet syndication policy in an effort to address privacy concerns. As of June 9, 2021, IDX sites are no longer permitted to display additional photos on permanently off market listings (including those in the Closed status). These syndication sites are only allowed to display the primary photo for listings that are
Note: this policy does not include Realtor.com, as they are not an IDX site.
Matrix and Connect will continue to display all photos on Closed listings.
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