Stellar MLS listing photo and remarks rules: a pre-launch checklist

Rule text last checked on October 19, 2026 against Stellar MLS Articles 04.04, 04.06, 04.15, 05.12 and 09.01 (each last updated Sep 27, 2026) and Article 04.05 (last updated Oct 16, 2026). Rules change, so always check the linked current text.

Photos and virtual tours (Article 04.05)

• First photo: the front exterior photo or rendering goes in slot 1 on all property types, unless slot 1 is an aerial or an exterior water view from the property, in which case the front exterior goes in slot 2. A swimming pool doesn't count as a water view, and a collage can't be slot 1. Vacant land is the exception.
• Front exterior: must show most of the home or building. Broker or builder yard signs, or signs with the seller's contact info, may not be visible.
• No text or branding: photos, images, public attachments and virtual tours may not contain logos, agent photos, contact info, branding, text or graphics of any kind, except the Stellar MLS watermark.
• No people in photos or virtual tours.
• Ownership: content must be owned, purchased or licensed by the listing broker or agent.

Source: Article 04.05: Listing Content and Virtual Tours. Most violations carry an automatic Level I fine; any reference to compensation is Level III Severe.

Virtual staging (Article 04.04)

Label each staged photo “Virtually staged” in its description field, check the virtually staged box, and start the public remarks with “One or more photo(s) was virtually staged.” Add or replace furniture and décor only. Full guide: Stellar MLS virtual staging rules. Source: Article 04.04.

Public remarks (Article 04.06)

Public remarks must be about the property or the transaction. They may not include contact or professional info about the agent, seller or builder (for new construction), lockbox references, websites or URLs, company or vendor info, owner names, showing instructions, open house information, inappropriate language, or access codes. Short sales must start with “short sale”. All remarks must comply with state and federal law. Source: Article 04.06.

Compensation (Article 09.01)

No offers of compensation to buyer brokers anywhere in the MLS, including remarks, driving directions, showing instructions, attachments or any open text field. This carries an automatic Level III Severe penalty. Source: Article 09.01.

Price changes and status (Articles 05.12 and 04.15)

A price change must be authorized in writing by the owner(s) of record and filed within two days, excluding weekends and federal holidays (Article 05.12). A listing may not be inactivated and reactivated to appear new (Article 04.15). Relaunching after a price change? See the Price-Cut Relaunch Kit.

The pre-launch checklist

1. If any photo is virtually staged, the listing isn’t pre-construction or under construction (04.04).
2. Front exterior photo or rendering is in slot 1, or slot 2 if slot 1 is an aerial or a water view from the property (04.05 A).
3. Slot 1 isn’t a collage, and a pool photo isn’t being used as the “water view” (04.05 A).
4. The front exterior shows most of the home, with no broker or builder yard sign or seller contact info visible (04.05 C).
5. No logos, agent photos, contact info, branding, text or graphics on any photo or virtual tour (04.05 D).
6. No people in photos or virtual tours (04.05 E).
7. Every photo, tour and rendering is owned or licensed by the listing broker or agent; nothing copied from a prior listing without a license (04.05 B and D).
8. Each virtually staged photo has “Virtually staged” in its description field and the virtually staged box checked (04.04).
9. If any photo is staged, the public remarks begin with “One or more photo(s) was virtually staged.” (04.04).
10. Short sale listings: the public remarks begin with “short sale” (04.06 D).
11. Public remarks are about the property or transaction, with no contact info, websites or URLs, lockbox references, showing instructions, open house info, vendor info, or access codes (04.06 E).
12. No offers of compensation anywhere in the MLS: remarks, attachments, photos, tours or any open text field (09.01).
13. Any price change is authorized in writing by the owner(s) of record and filed within two days, excluding weekends and federal holidays (05.12 A).
14. The listing hasn’t been inactivated and reactivated to make it look new (04.15 A).
15. Remarks and descriptions are accurate and describe the property, not who should live there (04.06 F and Fair Housing).

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This page is a plain-English summary for convenience, not legal advice. ListingAce is not affiliated with or endorsed by Stellar MLS. Agents and brokers remain responsible for MLS compliance; check the current rules and your broker's policies.

Related guides

• Twilight, sky and photo edits on Stellar MLS: what’s allowed
• “New price,” not “Just listed”: how to market a price change under Stellar MLS rules