Buyers may often get their first impression of a property listing from the photos that are used to market the listing via an MLS. While the seller and the seller’s agent would like to see the most flattering, high-quality images attached to the listing, the buyer’s first question to their agent upon closing is often: How do I remove the photos of my newly purchased house from all real estate websites? Usually, the buyer will cite privacy or potential safety concerns with their request. They often assume that the listing agent will take care of this for them, but it’s usually not that easy, so consider this blog a simple guide the next time your brokerage gets a call about this. Removing a website listing will sometimes require multiple requests to a variety of vendors.
It starts with the MLS
Most properties are listed on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Most real estate brokerage websites get their listing data from MLSs; for example, all TRIBUS client websites use raw MLS data to display listings (which they can then customize and enhance from there). This makes sense for sellers, who want their property displayed on as many places as possible. Sellers also don’t necessarily care about the buyer’s privacy after the transaction is closed, so they may often leave the listing unchanged from the moment it has sold.
It varies from MLS to MLS, but a system may distribute its data to as many as 100-plus different websites — automatically. This also includes the huge aggregators, such as Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com.
Removing a website listing
The best way to guarantee the removal of a listing is to include it as a contingency of sale. Keep in mind that this doesn’t always mean removal from other websites or social media platforms.
If this isn’t an option, or you’ve already closed, there will still be ways to remove the the listing. The best place to start is with the listing agent: ask them to remove the photos from the MLS for you. Understand that the agent is under no obligation, however, many real estate brokerages prefer to foster goodwill in the community and will likely grant your request.
You can also remove photographs from listings on sites such as Zillow yourself by creating a Zillow account. Once the home has been claimed by you, you’ll have the ability to remove photographs.
Most other websites, with the exception of MLSs, will remove photos if you ask their customer service department for assistance. MLSs are fairly strict and often do not want to alter their archives. To find these websites, enter your home address into the search box of your favorite search engine.
Agents may think differently
Any information, including photos and the property description, used to market a property should ideally remain with the listing. This information is used by MLS members in preparing comparative market analysis and by appraisers when appraising a home. Imagine if all this data was stripped from the MLS!
The buyer may have legitimate privacy concerns, but it may be helpful for agents to explain to their clients that unless the seller elected not to have the property marketed on other websites, the photos may have been syndicated to dozens of other sites, which are accessible to the public.
