My pet peeve as a realtor is messy beds in photos and toilet seats left up! Toilets are not the prettiest thing in our ones so why so many pics with the seat left up as tho it has just been used!

I have seen that, and agree with you that it's contrived to me as well. I remember an episode of Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing", where agent Chad Rogers (with OCD), kept karating chopping pillows before an open-house, even after the co-listing agent told him to stop. It was infuriating!

The only decorating trend mentioned to me, was the use of crown molding. I grew up in an old house with tons of molding, so it doesn't impress me at all, other than knowing it will cost more for repainting. When I was house hunting and a agent mentioned putting it in all over, I just rolled my eyes & that was the end of the discussion. The only other standard is putting a microwave on a shelf that's part of the upper cabinets. I'm not tall, and I don't like the idea of taking a boiling hot liquid out at forehead level, so my microwave sits right on the countertop!

@eztia: I hear you about the puddled draperies! I've heard people (mostly designers) say that it looks luxurious, but to me, it just looks like somebody needs to check their measurements and cut off a few inches!

@astraea: I think of crown molding as a detail for traditional-style houses. Adding it just to have it, with no regard for the rest of the architectural style or decor is just silly.

Re: the microwave on a high shelf: I'm close to 5' myself, so that would be right on out! But I've heard parents say that they want the microwave out of children's reach, so to each his own.

Lol funny imagery. I hate seeing toilet seats up. So gross. Have some manners! Or at least pretend to when trying to show your home.

How about a professional photographer letting this one slip by?

Here is the solution!

@judyg. Oh, the big bow on the toilet is funny!

Re: toilet lids. Grossness aside, flush studies have shown that bacteria is spread up to 10 inches when a toilet is flushed, and dangerous bacteria like C.diff (Clostridium difficile) may survive in water droplets up to 90 minutes on the seat and surrounding area. Consider closing the lid on the toilet while flushing, avoid sitting on the toilet while flushing, and use bleach at home frequently to minimize exposure to dangerous bacteria.

Funny thread here! You would be amazed how many stupid photos are taken in real estate by professional photographers. They spend about a total of 8-10 mins in the home and most won't lift a finger to push chairs in, move high hairs etc. I always arrive an hour early to 'fluff' up the house and make it picture ready. You wouldn't go for a professional portrait without brushing your hair!

Funny toilet seat with the bow. I've seen stagers who tie raffia bows on towels too, looks silly!

My pet peeve is TOO MANY pillows! On the sofa, on the bed....it doesn't matter, enough is enough, and I think one or two is enough! I mean, really, where do you sit on a sofa loaded down with pillows?

@ReMax - When I was house hunting a few years ago, I saw a really nice house, that I was told was listed by a personal friend of the owner. There was only an outside photo of the house, which I thought was a real disservice to the homeowner/friend, as the house was a custom contemporary, and had a lot of character. I was tempted to contact the homeowner, and tell them that their "friend" wasn't doing a very good job!

The only benefit of bows on the towlets, is that it discourages house hunters from using them, especially during an open house!!

@astraea: Bows on the toilet to keep clients from using it? I see the logic, but it still looks silly, and only saves a bit of cleaning. Besides, wouldn't a client want to know how the toilet works in a prospective home?

@olldbobbi: You shouldn't have to move a mountain of pillows to find a spot to sit! But my mom loves her throw pillows, and I end up shifting them around every time I visit. She thinks the sofa just isn't dressed up enough without all of them.

@gossamerblade - That's what home inspections are for, to check out all the plumbing.

One thing I am happy to see has NOT become popular again is macramé.

ez! Seriously? I liked macrame'!!! What don't you like about it?

I do not like macramé because in my region of the country it is so dusty. The macramé looks like a dust mop after only a month or so. :(

Being a professional photographer of Real Estate magazines like Christie’s Great Estates etc. I agree about chopping of pillows. It looks so distracting and I hate it. When we would go into a very luxurious estate, my partner & I would take about an hour checking for things out of place and at times , rearranging the furniture. I know a lot of “so called “ professionals that do don’t take the time and photograph Beautiful homes “as is” . Another pet peeve of mine is when pictures are taken and the photographer does not take the time to straighten walls , etc by way of photoshop editing.