New Zealand Real Estate Authority — photo-editing training virtual-staging disclosure
REA training material says a photograph cannot be edited to make a property look better when the result misrepresents it. It distinguishes ordinary brightness or sky corrections from edits that change property facts.
- Applies to
- Licensed New Zealand real-estate professionals preparing property marketing photographs
- Status
- Explicit requirement
- Last verified
- 2026-08-09
- Next review
- 2026-11-09
What the source says
REA training material says a photograph cannot be edited to make a property look better when the result misrepresents it. It distinguishes ordinary brightness or sky corrections from edits that change property facts.
Read the primary source: REA Marketing Facilitated Meeting — photo editing scenario
Disclosure wording
The training material does not prescribe an exact virtual-staging disclosure phrase.
Edits the source prohibits or limits
- Editing a property photograph in a way that makes it look better by misrepresenting the property
Stylst practical guidance—not policy
Use brightness and color correction only when the result stays truthful; label virtual staging, provide the original, and do not change property condition or permanent facts.
Agent checklist
- Open the primary source and confirm it has not changed.
- Check the state, MLS, brokerage, and destination portal; follow the strictest applicable rule.
- Label each altered image and retain the unaltered original.
- Do not alter permanent features, condition, dimensions, views, or surroundings.
- Save evidence of the rule and your original image with the listing file.
Corrections
Know of a newer public source? Email hello@stylst.app. We publish material changes in the change feed.