Digital Decluttering in 2025: Navigating the New MLS Rules
Real estate professionals know the challenge well: You've secured a listing with great potential, but the photography appointment is tomorrow and the seller hasn't finished decluttering. The property needs to hit the market immediately, but those moving boxes, seasonal items, and extra furniture are still in place. What options do you have?
As of December 2024, the PropTx MLS® Rules (related blog: Key Takeaways for Ontario Realtors: New PropTx MLS® Rules) have explicitly prohibited virtual staging and AI-generated property images. However, there's an important solution that remains compliant when used correctly: professional photo decluttering.
The key is understanding exactly when and how this service can be appropriately used.
Digital Decluttering's Intended Use
Our digital decluttering service is specifically designed for one scenario only: when physical decluttering is already planned but couldn't be completed before photography day. This service is appropriate when:
Physical decluttering is confirmed and scheduled
Items will be removed prior to showings or property viewings
The space will be cleared before the sale/lease completion
Sellers have committed to removing the items digitally edited out
Why Human Editing Makes the Difference
While many photo editing services rely on AI tools that can compromise property representation, our human editors work entirely by hand to ensure absolute accuracy. According to Article 5.01 of the PropTx MLS® Rules, the regulations specifically prohibit "digitally altered images including the use of any artificial intelligence ("AI") system or technology to create, alter, or enhance images or digital staging that do not accurately depict the listed real estate."
Our human editors meticulously preserve:
Every architectural detail
Original finishes and materials, including existing furniture
Exact structural elements
Authentic lighting and shadows
True spatial dimensions
This strictly human approach, when used appropriately, ensures MLS compliance because:
No permanent structural changes are made to the property
Fixed features and furniture remain unaltered
The editing simply previews the imminent clutter that can feasibly be removed in real life
The result shows the achievable, planned presentation of the space
Think of it like this: Our service provides a preview of exactly how the space will look once the scheduled physical decluttering is completed. It's a time-management tool, not a misrepresentation tool.
Before/After Examples:
Important: It is recommended that any items digitally removed from listing photos also be physically removed from the property prior to showings or sale/lease of the property.
[Note: This analysis is based on PropTx MLS® Rules effective December 2024. As regulations may evolve, always consult with your broker or local MLS authority for the most up-to-date guidance.]
