Update on Issues Regarding Use of Property Pictures
Several months ago I clued you all in on problems I was having with posting pictures of some of the units due to copyright concerns.
Progress has been made (thanks to all the agents who graciously allow me to use their photos) but some copyright issues remain – especially with pictures taken by VHT, who apparently owns all the licensing rights to the pictures which have their logo.
When the weather improves, I will be out and about with my camera so many of these concerns will be moot.
Until then, please bear with me. Thank you, both readers and agents, for your patience while these issues are being worked out.
And thanks for all the tips on properties as of late. The more information you send me, the better Crib Chatter will be.
Thanks!
Sabrina
I am baffled by VHT’s position. Their photos are used all over the Internet. They go to Realtor.com, Chicago Tribune, Craig’s List, Trulia, just to name a few, simply because the Realtor sends them there. So how is it that it’s OK for their photos to go to all those places but not Crib Chatter – especially if the Realtor wants them to?
Ooops! I capitalized Realtor. I’ve never done that before. The business must be getting to me.
Thanks Sabrina for your continuous hard work to keep the quality of this site high! It’s much appreciated …
A very warm Thank you as well for providing this wonderful site. Being somewhat new to the Chicago Real Estate scene, it is great to have a very well organized and easy to use site in my attempt learn about the city it’s Real Estate offerings. Just one request, could you possibly set up a forum type addition for general information questions we might have dealing with the many facets of the industry here in Chitown? Thanks for your consideration!
I second westloopelo’s request. I’d like a place to discuss purchasing small investment properties on the northside of Chicago.
Gary:
From what I’ve been told (as I actually haven’t seen the licensing agreement myself), VHT actually owns the pictures and licenses them out to the realtors to use on various sites (such as their own realtor websites and Craigslist.)
Supposedly, it actually grants the authority for the agent to use them on sites like Craigslist. (this is included in the agreement).
But Crib Chatter, as of right now, is not included in the agreement. The agents CAN get approval from VHT to include them here- as some agents have told me they have done so. They’ve told me that VHT is okay with it as long as the agent approves it (which they are doing.)
But it’s an extra step that’s a pain in the neck for the agents. Most don’t want to bother with it- so they simply say “no” to putting up the pictures on Crib Chatter.
But hopefully soon the issues with VHT will be worked out so that agents can have them on Crib Chatter the same way they use them on Craigslist and other sites. Agents don’t go to VHT every time they want to post them on Craigslist (obviously.)
VHT does excellent work, in my opinion. Their pictures are always of good quality so I’d like to have them on the site.
I guess I’m a little surprised the VHT agreements would be so specific as to individual sites, as opposed to giving the agents general rights to use the pictures on certain categories of sites. But I haven’t seen the agreements. Maybe an agent can comment.
Really enjoy the site. I think there’s going to be even more upheaval in the coming months. Serious people are thinking 5 years for the recession (or depression). Hard to see how housing prices don’t fall a lot more. I’m more bearish now that I was 4 months ago.
dahliachi,
I can help you lose money a lot quicker than owning investment properties on the northside. Just send me an envelope containing cash and I will take care of your extra wealth.
Seriously, do you see properties that are cash flow positive for purchase on the northside? (I don’t) If not what are you thinking?
“I’d like a place to discuss purchasing small investment properties on the northside of Chicago.”
Thanks for the clarification, Sabrina. The only thing I was able to find with VHT was the Terms of Use which make reference to needing VHT’s permission to use their material and the need to acknowledge them. I didn’t see any reference to a list of sites or types of sites that are auto-approved – unless I signed something when I first signed up for the service.
Regarding investment properties…I continue to be amazed at the number of 2/3 flats on the market that don’t cash flow – don’t even have tenants. If you can’t find tenants for your building why should I buy it? However, they are out there (properties that cash flow). Just have to really look hard.
Thanks for all of your hard work and all that you do behind the scenes to keeping us all informed.
Cone on Gary, dont you know its all about Capital Appreciation, why would you care about rents when all these buldings are worth millions once they are convereted to Single family homes
The only place I have found cash flow positive buildings is in Logan Square, Humblolt Park and some parts of UK village, all sketchy areas. But dont worry prices are coming down on the northside, and they will get back to normal soon enough
to all the realtors out there, i’ve visited about 10 properties due to crib chatter that i otherwise wouldn’t have seen
Hi Bob,
I am an owner occupier of a three flat on the northside and the two rental apartments pay the mortgage and taxes. I’m looking into buying another property and if the deal works, we’ll be making money the first year after fix-up, even at the new lower rents. The problem is financing properties that are in less than perfect condition. Banks won’t lend.
dahliachi,
Congrats. Lately for my first home purchase I’ve been considering a duplex. Do you invest a lot of time once the units are rehabbed doing landlord tasks?
I admittedly don’t know much about being a landlord, however if its not too much of a time commitment I was thinking a duplex might be in my future. I was just trying to get an idea of how much time commitment and work it might be for one tenant and whether it would be worth it.
Sites like realtor.com, trulia, zillow, etc. have licensing agreements with brokerages to use their listing content and photos. Not a big shock that someone raised a concern.
Bob,
So far, doing the landlord thing is easy most of the time, until you need to rent out an apartment and have to advertise, field calls/e-mails and show it. This can turn into a time-consuming roller coaster ride.
Every now and then the tenant needs a repair and I have an excellent handyman. Thus far, I’ve never had a tenant skip out on rent or leave an apartment in anything but excellent condition.
Basically, landlording allows us to live in a huge 3 bed apt for the monthly cost of a cramped condo and we have a huge,sunny, unfinished basement with 10ft ceilings that we hope to build out in the next 5 years or so.
Bob, like dahliachi I too am a landlord for four seperate properties. The three in Fl are basically no to low maintenace as my partner rehabbed them before we started renting them. I am lucky as the tenants are very reliable people who take it upon themselves to do the small repairs as needed. Only once in 8 years have I had to make a major repair. Although I do not make any profit on these properties, the mortgage is being paid in full and I have less than a year before they are paid off. I know the whole reason for buying then renting is to live ‘free’ in one of your units, but I don’t take advantage of that benefit since my job moves me around and I don’t reside there full time.
Anyway, I think if you have some home improvement skills, it is a great way to live if you go with a duplex or small multi-unit building. The key is to find the ‘perfect’ tenants who will take care of your investment. I was lucky in that sense and hope it continues!!