New to the forum here; I am helping redesign a clients site so just learning the ropes when it comes to real estate. One thing that has really been bugging me is each website or MLS site I see has photos about the size of a thumbnail. Why?

It's the first thing to get the buyers attention. Then they read the description of the home. Then they may make a phone call. But what sells the house is the house itself. So why not post some pictures of decent size (maybe 400px wide)? I'd like to see what you all have to say. I know bandwidth costs wouldn't have anything to do with it. I'm just thinking it's something that is quite often overlooked.

Some MLS's will only let you use a photo of a certain size. Just depends on the MLS's guidelines.

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Liane Jamason, Realtor
Keller Williams Realty
Tampa FL Homes|Free List of Tampa Short Sales & Foreclosures|TampaRealEstateGeek.com

Liane Jamason is a Realtor in Tampa Bay servicing St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa, Carollwood, Westchase, Ybor City, South Tampa, Davis Island, Brandon, Riverview, Apollo Beach, Ruskin and beyond!

Not to mention, that every realtor in that area pulls those pictures from the MLS.

They are trying to cut back on the bandiwdth.

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If you're not remembered, you never existed.

Almost all MLS's provide a thumb and a large version or a large version you can also use as a thumb, what MLS board are you talking about?

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Want to save up to 50% off Real estate webmasters product websites & common upgrades? Check out my latest blog post regarding our end of the year sale.

I see what you're saying...but specifically I'm talking about the size of the image displayed, not uploaded.

When it comes to a realtors site though, all I've seen is linking to and from. The realtors in this area (Chicago Southside) just link to the MLS for listings.
Yes it's true, most sites will thumbnail and click for a larger version...but why the extra step?

It just really seems like browsing for houses online is a terrible experience.

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cachorfreelance.com

Because users like to preview listings. I know what you are saying though, it could be bigger and clearer. Check out this site, let me know if that is what you are talking about http://www.rexre.com/results-list.ph...w_results=list

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Want to save up to 50% off Real estate webmasters product websites & common upgrades? Check out my latest blog post regarding our end of the year sale.

From the user perspective, a lot of people are still on dial-up. Don't forget the little guy while working from a T1. We are trying to appeal to the masses and want as much exposure as possible.

Also, remember that with a larger image comes finer detail. I think it is fair to say that we want you to see what the house looks like, not perform an actual inspection from the photo.

So, in summary, a quick loading front page and a better but not perfect image on the details page.

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R,
David Phillips
A Marietta Real Estate Agent, 678-521-4680
The Georgia Mortgage Broker, 678-370-0190

yes I agree

The pictures have got to be a small size. If they were all large and defined, the system would take up so much space with the servers. Aside from that, a picture will only go so far anyway. What appears to be the best house in the world will be much different in person. My experiences have been that often the fancy pictures are taken to try to override a flaw with the home (ex. bad neighborhood, floorplans, or surroundings).

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