Ethics Exchange
A bi-weekly column by the
Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®
Do you have a question or topic related to REALTOR® ethics that you would like addressed in a future issue of Ethics Exchange? Click here to e-mail Scott Bush at the GMAR.
When Is Virtual Staging Deceptive?
How far is too far in the virtual world of staging homes? It’s acceptable to demonstrate a property with decor and furniture; however, you cannot make a house into something it's not. When you digitally alter certain aspects of a home such as changing wallpaper that may be considered undesirable to appear as a painted wall or changing the view from a particular window so it looks like there is an exotic beach outside, where there is not, these actions are considered to be deceptive practice.

The GMAR has received several inquiries recently about “exaggerated” virtual staging. The following article from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) provides good guidance on this subject.

We hope you enjoyed Issue #11 of Ethics Exchange 2020 brought to you by the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® (GMAR). The GMAR created this newsletter, each issue dedicated to a unique issue, because the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, on which our industry is built, is the foundation of what it means to be a REALTOR®.
Your proactive support of the Code of Ethics will assure your fellow REALTORS®, as well as members of the public, that every member of GMAR operates under the highest ethical standards.
Questions, comments or concerns regarding this issue can be directed to
Scott Bush at the GMAR Office (414-778-4929 or scott@gmar.ws).