"Huh?" photos of the week

Here is some evidence as to why screen grabs, basic image editors and the MLS don't usually mix:


Yes this is an actual photo tied to an actual MLS listing. We have to admit it, though, the yellow arrow was kind of helpful in assisting us in identifying the physical location of property the listing goes with, 23741 Calle Ganador in Mission Viejo. Then again, we could have just as easily done the Google street view thing and seen the following. Wave hi to your new neighbor!


Listing description: BEAUTIFUL HOUSE ON A QUIET STREET IN A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD. Open Floor Plan. Big Yards. Upgraded Main Bathroom, Good Looking Ceramic Tile thru-out the house. Brick Fireplace in the Living Room. Vaulted Ceilings. Please look at the pictures. No Mello Roos & Low Assoc-$16

The asking price is $400,000. 4 beds, 2 baths, 1,550 sq ft. Just came on to the market a few days ago. Last sold in 2004 for $570,000, so we're looking at a minimum depreciation of about 30%, unless they get over their asking price.

OK, you say, maybe it was a fluke the screen grab appeared with the listing? Nope. This time, we get an alternative view of the property and a whole lot more of the person's desktop as well. Might be time to run that Windows desktop cleanup wizard. Just sayin'.

Guess what...we're not out of the woods yet. Here is another of the photos posted with the listing:

This one manages to violate two rules at once: It is blurry almost beyond recognition, and has the TV going with who knows what on.

"Huh?" photos of the week

This week's entry is from a San Juan condo listed for sale at $359,000, which is $200,000 off its 2005 peak price. Actually, this one isn't so much about head-scratching photos as it is a question of paint-color judgment. See for yourself:


Either the camera is shot, or there is some sort of discoloration in the kitchen, as you can see in the top-center of this photo:

Fear not...the color scheme even continues into the bedrooms:


There is nothing wrong with wanting to express yourself creatively. We're just not so sure your house's interior is the best place on which to unleash all the fury of your imagination.

"Huh?" photo of the week

First person to figure out what the deal is with this photo attached to a Lake Forest (Foothill Ranch) condo gets a big gold star and pat on the back. Did they have to make it the No. 1 photo that shows up in the MLS?

OK, so it's a work in progress, we get it. Here is the listing description for this 1-bed, 1-bath, 800 sq ft place: New tile floor, berber carpet, new paint, private end unit, city lights view!! Beautiful unit!! Amazing BUY!!! Couldn't they have waited until after these upgrades went in to take the photos?

This property has been on the market for more than three months at an asking price of $269,000. I'm sure you're as shocked as we are that it hasn't sold yet.

"Huh?" photo of the week

There is a limited amount of pictures that may be posted on the MLS along with any property listing. So, why wouldn't you want to put the following photo up with this Dana Point condo:
That's right: It's a picture of some dude who just landed a huge fish. Photo number 17 on Redfin. I'm sure he's got a great story to tell, but it doesn't exactly fit right in with the whole real estate theme the MLS usually holds to.

Oh, and this wasn't a totally isolated incident. Here's the photo preceding it:

Too bad considering the photo montage started out relatively well, with this professional-looking image:
Of course, there are no exterior photos of the property. In case you're keeping score at home, here is the count: 8 interior shots; 1 of the deck; 1 of a hill; 4 of the association/pool; 3 of the harbor/beach; 1 of a whale; 1 of a guy fishing; and 1 that's actually three photos in one of the harbor, some people whale watching and some more people kayaking.

On a similar but unrelated note, the property has been active on the market for 166 days without a sale.