Why Your Property Photos Could Be Costing You Thousands

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All sellers know the phrase: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” In real estate, it can also be worth tens of thousands of dollars.

But not all property photos are created equal.

The Power (and Danger) of Photos in Real Estate

A professional photo shoot can make your home look bright, spacious, and inviting. That’s great—until the photos cross the line into misrepresentation.

At Victorian Property Settlements, we’ve seen increasing tension between what’s advertised online and what’s actually delivered on inspection or settlement day. And in a cooling market, buyers are far less forgiving.

When Good Photos Go Bad

Here are the most common photo issues that lead to disputes:

  • Heavily edited skies and lighting (to hide cracks or defects)

  • Digitally removed powerlines, bins, or nearby buildings

  • Old photos reused from earlier sales

  • Wide-angle distortion that exaggerates room size

  • Furniture or styling photos that no longer match the property

Buyers feel misled. In some cases, that leads to complaints, rescission notices, or VCAT hearings.

Legal Risks: Misrepresentation and Contractual Consequences

In Victoria, a contract may be rescinded if the buyer was induced to sign based on misleading or deceptive conduct under the Australian Consumer Law.

Photos don’t have to be “fake” to be problematic. Even omitting defects or styling an area to look larger or newer than it is can amount to conduct that misleads.

If the marketing makes a buyer expect one thing—and they get another—you may be liable.

Case Example: The Oversized Balcony

We recently assisted a purchaser who relied on a hero photo of a large balcony with distant bay views. At final inspection, the views were blocked by a new development and the balcony was significantly smaller than the impression created. The buyer had paid a premium—and wanted out.

Although the vendor hadn’t altered the balcony, the photos were outdated and did not reflect reality at settlement. The buyer claimed misleading conduct. The matter settled with a price adjustment—costing the vendor over $25,000.

Tips for Sellers and Agents

  1. Keep it current – Don’t reuse old photos.

  2. Disclose what’s changed – If something shown no longer exists, make it clear.

  3. Avoid digital alterations – Removing poles, fences, or trees is risky.

  4. Review inclusions carefully – If a photo shows something, it may be assumed to be included.

  5. Use disclaimers – “Images are for illustrative purposes only” can help, but won’t override consumer law.

The Takeaway for Buyers: Get Photos Reviewed Before Signing

If you’re buying and the photos don’t match the contract or inspection, get advice before you sign. You may be entitled to request clarification, amend terms, or withdraw from the deal.

At Victorian Property Settlements, we help purchasers review marketing materials alongside the contract and Section 32 to ensure there’s no mismatch or misrepresentation.

Need help reviewing your contract or pre-settlement condition?

Get in touch with Victorian Property Settlements – Trusted for over 25 years by Victorian buyers and sellers.
📞 Call us on (03) 9783 0111 or visit www.victorianpropertysettlements.com.au