MLS Photo Size: Boost Your Property Listing
Choosing the right MLS photo size can improve your property listing. The size of MLS photos can significantly impact the digital display of properties, assisting sellers to promote to prospective buyers effortlessly. You, being the photographer, are tasked with displaying properties in the most flattering way.
An essential part of this process is guaranteeing the right photo size and aspect ratio for MLS listings. In this article, we’ll explore the optimal MLS photo size, why it’s so important, and how you can optimize your images for MLS to improve search engine rankings, drive more traffic to your listings, and ultimately close more sales.
What is MLS?
It’s short for Multiple Listing Service, a big database looked after by real estate professionals. This software helps people buying or selling homes, or real estate agents, find just the right spot. It helps compare costs and make smart choices based on the latest info on houses. But MLS does more – it shares listings far and wide, over websites and social media. And that’s a key piece of doing well in real estate marketing.
Why does picture size matter for MLS?

Let’s say, MLS platforms need precise photo sizes. If you ignore this, some photos might not show up or even look wrong. This mistake could hurt your client’s listings and cause missed sales. Further, big or tiny images might make pages load slower. This delay can annoy users and lower your spot in search engine rankings.
What is the ideal MLS photo size?
The ideal size of the MLS photo in listings varies among the diverse providers. Still, there is a general outline that you can apply to ensure your photos appear great and that are formatted within specifications.
Ideal MLS Photo Size
Dimensions: The ideal size is between 1024pixels x 768pixels of your image. This will ensure your photo is accessible on any smaller mobile screen and any huge desktop display.
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 or 3:2 landscape orientation. Most MLS platforms prefer these ratios. While most MLS platforms accept 16:9 photos, the ratio 4:3 is used more broadly.
File Size: Most MLS sites accept a maximum of 5 MB in images. Some MLS sites take sizes below that. So, just be sure of the requirements for your particular MLS and ensure your images fit the bill.
Most MLS images prefer a JPEG or JPG file format. Most of the time, this is due to the lower compromise between photo quality and file size. A few MLS platforms accept PNG formats but are much more prominent in file size.
Further tips:
No Borders or Watermarks: Some MLS systems do not allow photos of borders or watermarks, so it’s best to leave these out of your photos. This will allow your pictures to render well across all platforms and devices, enabling you to present the properties in as great a light as possible.
High-quality images: Good-quality pictures with high resolutions to capture a clear picture. Low-resolution or pixelated images would not even help get shortlisted because of low-quality photos.

Lighting: The most significant difference is good lighting. Preferable sunshine lighting is always best, but if shooting indoors, use soft lighting and avoid shadows.
Wide Angles: Try using wide-angle lenses as much as possible to capture more space. However, avoid over-stretching the image to prevent distortion.
What is the aspect ratio and why does it matter?
The aspect ratio is the proportion of the width to the height of an image. It matters because if your aspect ratio goes wrong, your photos look stretched or distorted. That affects the general impression of your photos and probably that of your client’s listing. For example, a house with a swimming pool will take a wider aspect ratio to ensure the pool gets captured along with the surrounding areas.
What are some common aspect ratios for real estate photography?
Common aspect ratios for real estate photography include 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9. The ideal aspect ratio may depend on the property and the intended use of the photos. For example, a landscape photo may benefit from a wider aspect ratio such as 16:9 to showcase the property’s outdoor features. On the other hand, a portrait-oriented photo may benefit from a narrower aspect ratio such as 3:2 to showcase the height of a room or building.
How to resize images for MLS size requirements?
There are numerous tools for resizing photos, including Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, and online tools like Canva and PicResize. Open your chosen tool, open your photo, adjust the dimensions to 1920 pixels on the longest side, and save your resized image. Make sure to know that sometimes image quality will degrade due to resizing, so it is wise to use high-quality computer software and pay attention to the aspect ratio.
What are the benefits of resizing photos?
This will ensure that they are viewed nicely on most types of devices and platforms, so it can also increase engagement and bring traffic to your listings, thus selling more properties. Optimizing photos for MLS may also improve your search engine rankings so that possible clients can find you online more quickly.
You can distinguish yourself from others and be credited as a reliable real estate photographer when you offer sharp, optimized pictures.
How can you ensure that your photos are SEO-friendly?

In addition to scaling your pictures to meet MLS needs, here are some steps that you can take to ensure that your photographs are SEO-friendly and thus rank higher in search results. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Use descriptive file names: Use descriptive names with relevant keywords when saving your photos. So instead of “IMG_1234.jpg,” use a file name like “luxury condo swimming pool.jpg.
Add alt text: Alt text is a brief description of the image that appears when the image cannot be displayed. Adding alt text to your photos helps search engines understand the content of your pictures and can improve your search engine rankings. Use relevant keywords in your alt text, but keep it concise and accurate.
Optimize file size: You may want your photos to be high quality; however, you also would like them to load quickly. Optimizing your file size means improving the page loading times and user experience experience, contributing to better search engine rankings.
Add location data: it also helps understand the context of a picture and can help move up the search engine rankings- the primary reason it is essential for real estate photography because location is a significant factor for buyers.
Use other social media: Publishing your photos on different platforms can help bring more attention and drive more traffic to your listings. Use relevant hashtags and tags to reach a wider audience.
What will make you different from any other real estate photographer? You should specialize in one property type or style to differentiate yourself as a great real estate photographer. You can specialize in luxury properties, aerial photography, virtual tours, etc. You can also specialize in fantastic customer service, competitive pricing, and the latest technology and trends available in real estate photography.
Providing high-quality photos and good service will differentiate you as a reliable real estate photographer and help attract fresh clients.
How do you market your real estate photography services?

To stand out as a real estate photographer, consider specializing in a specific type of property or photography style. For example, you may focus on luxury properties, aerial photography, or virtual tours. You can also differentiate yourself by providing exceptional customer service, offering competitive pricing, and staying up-to-date with the latest technology and trends in real estate photography. By providing high-quality photos and exceptional service, you can establish yourself as a trusted real estate photographer and attract new clients.
How can you promote your real estate photography services?
To market your real estate photography services, you can build a website, make profiles on all other social media, add service details on MLS platforms and directories, network with real estate professionals, attend various industry events, and offer new clients some promotions or discounts. In other words, showing experience and professionalism will attract new potential clients and expand the practice base.
Conclusion
Simply put, top-tier MLS photos of your goods, showing the perfect size and shape, are key. They pull in possible shoppers and showcase your items. Optimization of MLS photos and adding SEO-friendly tips can enhance engagement with your listings by drawing pertinent traffic and, hence, selling more properties. Specialization, good customer service, and excellent marketing are, therefore, able to set a real estate photographer apart.
Read more Blogs:
Does the Seller Usually Pay for Professional Photos?
Best Real Estate Photography Photo Editing: Selling Homes Faster
Real Estate Photo Editing Outsourcing: The Secret to Fabulous Sales
[…] media require specific file formats. Real estate photo resizing services can convert images to the appropriate real estate file format for your needs, ensuring compatibility with various online listing platforms, social media sites, […]