Real estate agents have been using artists' impressions to sell houses and land for decades.
Key points:
- The sale ad for the house features an "artist's impression" of what the $4m property "could look like when restored to its former glory", the agent says
- The photos are clearly marked as being an "artist's impression", with other images of the house interior also being "digitally enhanced"
- The Real Estate Institute of Tasmania said artists' impressions have been used in sale ads for a long time
Whether it be superimposing furniture into an empty room to liven it up, a full concept design of a home for a house and land package, or a cheeky greening of the grass.
However, a listing for a historic 1870 Launceston home in northern Tasmania went a bit further.
The artist's impression of the property's exterior, which is close to the CBD and is going for "offers around $4 million", is in stark contrast to how the building actually looks.
The entire home, down from its rusted roof and verandah to the cracks in the stonework, has been reworked to give an impression of what the property could look like if the new owner did a total renovation.
It was sold for $2 million 18 months ago in an off-market sale, and the new owner has put it back on the market.
The real estate agent for the property, Kristi Seymour, said the owner hopes it has doubled in value.
"Initially, when she purchased it, she had intentions of doing a full renovation and basing herself here in Launceston, but has since decided after purchasing another property to move outside Launceston."
Ms Seymour said artists' impressions were a valuable tool for real estate agents.
"The only artists' impressions where the property has been digitally enhanced is that exterior view to show what it could look like when restored to its former glory," she said.
"All of the internal photos that are marked as artists' impressions, the actual imagery is untouched; they just imposed furniture."
Ms Seymour said photo enhancement is becoming more common in her business.
"We have several properties that are currently online where we have enhanced them with the use of furniture to show the room sizes and spaces.
"Our photographer has offered us that service for about 12 months now."
The five-bedroom, two-bathroom house is one of a number of multi-million-dollar properties for sale in the state's north.
"There's a huge demand for beautiful heritage homes for families that want to retain them for years and years to come," Ms Seymour said.
It has created discussion in the neighbourhood.
It's too expensive for Denis Martin from West Launceston.
"Absolutely ridiculous; the price stinks. Who's got $4 million? And look at the work that needs doing to it as well.
"Real estate prices have gone through the roof."
Another local, Marieke Dijkstra, said it would appeal to many.
"Just looking at it, it's a lovely big place, and I think it's got some potential," she said.
"I'm not sure I've seen anything with that high a price in Launceston, but then all the prices are higher nowadays.
"I don't know if I can see the value but then I haven't looked in it, I haven't researched it."
She agreed with the use of artists' impressions, describing it as a "great marketing strategy".
"I think for someone less able to envisage it themselves it's really helpful to have someone who has that vision to give some ideas about what it might be in the future."