AI altered Photos in listings

[chad hampton]

There’s no way around it, in my market when you’re dealing with a basement home you have to individually search each comparable. I’d say it’s 50-50 on when it’s included in the GLA, so if you search by GLA, everything will be screwed up. Or you might miss one that doesn’t show in the search.

I wish the software vendors and AI a lot of luck in six months when they’ll be selecting my comps for me. Not sure if they carry insurance or not.

But if I don’t do it, I’m not responsible for it. That’s what the boards USPAP instructors have taught me. So I’m free and clear.

 

[Andy Taylor]

Curious, how often did/do you find inconsistencies between what they put in MLS and what they tell you on the phone?

Showing another agents listing. In the MLS listing the agent comments said, "Remodeled, new roof blah, blah, blah...". Standing there looking at the roof I (and anyone else with any real estate experience) could tell at a glance it was not new. Easily 15 years old. Even the remodeling was not that new. Called the listing agent to question the obvious disparity. Her response, " Well that's what the sellers told me it was new." Did she change the listing. Nope. Wonder how many appraisals were made using that "remodeled, new roof" comp?

 

[NC Appraising]

https://www.clearcapital.com/clear-...-computer-vision-real-estate-leader-restb-AI/

, NV | May 12, 2026 – Clear Capital®, the national real estate analytics, data solutions, and valuation technology company, today announced its acquisition of Restb.AI, a Barcelona-based leader in AI-powered computer vision technology for the valuation and real estate industries, to bring deeper property intelligence to real estate decision-making globally.

This acquisition adds Restb.AI’s image recognition and data enrichment capabilities to Clear Capital’s product suite, which also includes CubiCasa®, the digital floor plan and virtual tour company Clear Capital acquired in 2021. Together, Clear Capital, CubiCasa and Restb.AI will help customers to holistically understand the information that shapes real estate and mortgage decisions — from valuation and floor plans to property condition and characteristics — reducing blind spots in property analysis and supporting faster, more confident decisions.

“Joining forces with Restb.AI allows us to modernize the valuation landscape. By embedding AI-driven property intelligence into our valuations and mobile floor plan technology, we’re increasing accuracy of decision making for housing finance,” said Duane Andrews, CEO of Clear Capital. “These enhancements will bring greater transparency and data quality to real estate decisions. Together, we are empowering our customers with a sophisticated, modern framework that brings confidence to every real estate decision.”

Clear Capital and CubiCasa plan to integrate Restb.AI’s technology across their platforms while retaining the Restb.AI brand.

“Clear Capital shares our vision for turning visual property data into trusted, decision-ready intelligence,” said Xavi Hernando, CEO and Co-Founder of Restb.AI. “This empowers Restb.AI with additional resources to accelerate innovation while continuing to support the customers, partners, and brands that have made us a leader in AI-powered computer vision for real estate.”

 

[alebrewer]

Showing another agents listing. In the MLS listing the agent comments said, "Remodeled, new roof blah, blah, blah...". Standing there looking at the roof I (and anyone else with any real estate experience) could tell at a glance it was not new. Easily 15 years old. Even the remodeling was not that new. Called the listing agent to question the obvious disparity. Her response, " Well that's what the sellers told me it was new." Did she change the listing. Nope. Wonder how many appraisals were made using that "remodeled, new roof" comp?

Good example. Is the roof condition something you wouldn't have noticed via the physical inspection of the comp? What about the remodeling? Is that something you couldn't have elicited from the interior photos?

 

[Vermonter]

Our MLS requires the original pic be included if a rendered pic is. Also must be labeled as such

 

[alebrewer]

Our MLS requires the original pic be included if a rendered pic is. Also must be labeled as such

love it!

 

[TerryRohrer]

I am on the fence whether this belongs here or in the Joke of the Day thread:

AI Overview


Yes, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has strict rules and ethical mandates requiring both data accuracy and photo integrity. These are primarily enforced at the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) level and through NAR’s national Code of Ethics. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Data Accuracy Rules

• Mandatory Accuracy: NAR policy dictates that MLS participants and subscribers must submit accurate listing data and promptly correct any known errors.
• "True Picture" Standard: Under Article 12 of the Code of Ethics, members are prohibited from submitting misleading or inaccurate information to the MLS, as it can skew statistical results and cause significant appraisal or valuation errors.
• Disclaimers: While brokers strive for precision, NAR rules allow MLS data displays to carry disclaimers stating that the information is "deemed reliable but not guaranteed". [1, 2, 3, 4]

Photo Integrity Rules

• No Misrepresentation: Listing photos must accurately reflect the property. Using editing tools ("Photoshopping") or AI to substantially alter a property’s structure, conceal defects, or alter the surrounding environment to mislead buyers violates NAR’s rules on misrepresentation.
• Editing & Virtual Staging: While mild enhancements (such as brightening) are generally accepted, heavily altered images (like virtual staging or replacing skies) typically must be clearly watermarked or disclosed.
• State & Local Compliance: In response to advanced AI editing, local laws (such as California's Assembly Bill 723) require agents to explicitly disclose when images have been digitally altered in a meaningful way.
• Copyright & Branding: MLS guidelines prohibit the use of copyrighted photos (like Google Street View) without permission. Additionally, agents are not allowed to place watermarks, branding, or contact information directly onto listing images. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Violating these guidelines can result in fines, loss of MLS access, and disciplinary action by local boards. [1, 2]

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

WTH is "wood type flooring"?

Bamboo, simulated vinyl, simulated concrete or fiber concrete, laminate plywood, real wood planks, softwood flooring, hardwood maple flooring, etc.

 

[alebrewer]

Bamboo, simulated vinyl, simulated concrete or fiber concrete, laminate plywood, real wood planks, softwood flooring, hardwood maple flooring, etc.

I was actually quoting another appraiser. Although - to his point, WTH is 'wood type' flooring? Bamboo is wood, plywood is wood, wood is wood, softwood is wood, hardwood is wood. About the only thing I can think of that is 'wood type' is vinyl plank - or possibly wood looking tiles (which really are just 'tiles' and not 'wood type' anyways)...

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Bamboo is wood,

Technically, bamboo is actually a grass. Put that down on a report and watch heads explode

which really are just 'tiles'

again it looks like wood so well in some cases you'd have to touch it to tell the difference.