Congratulations on a successful closing! Now that the deal is done, you'll want to remove your property photos from Realtor.com to protect your client's privacy and maintain a clean online presence. This guide outlines the steps to effectively remove those photos and ensure a smooth post-closing process.
Understanding the Importance of Photo Removal
Leaving photos of a recently sold property on Realtor.com can have several negative consequences:
- Privacy Concerns: Buyers and sellers value their privacy. Leaving photos online exposes their personal belongings and home details unnecessarily.
- Potential for Misrepresentation: Photos can be outdated, especially if renovations or staging were involved. Keeping old images up can create confusion.
- Professionalism: Promptly removing photos demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail, enhancing your reputation with clients and colleagues.
Steps to Remove Photos From Realtor.com
Unfortunately, there isn't a single button to instantly delete photos after closing. The process depends on how you initially listed the property.
If you listed the property through a Realtor.com listing service:
- Log into your Realtor.com account: Access your account using your login credentials.
- Navigate to your listings: Find the section displaying your active and past listings.
- Locate the sold property: Identify the property that has recently closed.
- Edit the listing: Look for an "Edit" or similar option associated with the property.
- Deactivate or delete the listing: Most systems allow you to mark the listing as "sold" or "inactive." This usually removes the property from active search results. However, sometimes photos remain visible. If possible, choose the option to completely delete the listing.
- Confirm removal: Review the changes and confirm the deletion or deactivation. Note that this may take a few hours or days to fully reflect.
If you listed through a Multiple Listing Service (MLS):
Your MLS system manages the listing. You'll need to work through the MLS interface:
- Log into your MLS account: Access your account using your login credentials.
- Find the sold property: Locate the specific listing in your MLS dashboard.
- Update the listing status: Change the status of the property to "Sold" or "Closed."
- Contact your MLS: In some cases, even updating the status within the MLS doesn't automatically remove photos from Realtor.com. Contact your MLS provider for instructions on how to fully remove the listing and associated images. They can guide you through any additional steps required.
If you're unsure of how the property was listed:
- Contact your brokerage: If you are unsure how the property was originally listed, reach out to your brokerage or administrative team for assistance. They can direct you to the appropriate system or contact the correct person to help remove the photos.
Best Practices for Post-Closing Procedures
- Prompt action is key: Remove photos as soon as the closing is complete.
- Maintain clear communication: Keep your clients informed of the process and confirm removal.
- Double-check: After completing the removal steps, check Realtor.com to verify the photos are no longer displayed.
By following these steps, you can efficiently remove photos from Realtor.com after closing, protecting your client’s privacy and maintaining a professional reputation. Remember, timely action ensures smooth post-closing procedures and demonstrates your commitment to excellent service.
