RESIZE PHOTOS FOR MLS LISTINGS

Most modern digital cameras and smartphones capture high-resolution images optimized for printing. However, for online real estate listings, photos should not exceed 1024×768 pixels to ensure compatibility and fast loading times. Many MLS systems reject larger files, and oversized images can cause emailing or uploading issues. We recommend resizing your photos to a maximum of 1024×768 before submitting them to us. Avoid portrait (vertical) orientations, as they may not display properly on certain websites. For tips on avoiding common photo pitfalls like poor lighting, selection, orientation, cropping, and sizing, refer to our Photo Guide.

CHECK PHOTO SIZE

Here are three simple ways to check your photo’s dimensions:

1. Hover Method: Place your mouse cursor over the photo file icon in your file explorer. A tooltip should display the file size and dimensions (e.g., 1920×1080 pixels).

2. Properties Menu: Right-click the photo file icon, select “Properties,” and navigate to the “Details” or “Summary” tab. Look for the “Dimensions” field showing width and height in pixels.

3. Open and Inspect: Double-click the photo to open it in your default viewer (e.g., Photos app on Windows or Preview on Mac). Right-click the image, select “Properties” or “Get Info,” and check the pixel dimensions.

RESIZE PHOTOS

For a free, user-friendly solution, we recommend IrfanView, a lightweight and powerful image viewer and editor that’s completely free for personal use. It’s ideal for resizing photos quickly and supports batch processing for multiple images at once. Download it safely from the official website: IrfanView Download.

Quick Tutorial: Resizing Photos in IrfanView

1. Install IrfanView:

   • Download the 64-bit version (or 32-bit if needed) from the official site above.

   • Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts (it takes about 1-2 minutes). No account or payment required.

2. Open a Photo:

   • Launch IrfanView.

   • Go to File > Open (or press Ctrl+O) and select your photo.

3. Resize the Image:

   • From the menu, select Image > Resize/Resample (or press Ctrl+R).

   • In the dialog box:

     • Set “Set new picture size to” to Custom.

     • Enter Width: 1024 and Height: 768 (IrfanView will maintain the aspect ratio if you check “Preserve aspect ratio,” but uncheck it if you need exact dimensions).

     • Under “Resample filter,” choose Lanczos for high-quality results without artifacts.

   • Click OK to apply the resize.

4. Save the Resized Photo:

   • To avoid overwriting your original, go to File > Save As (or press Ctrl+Shift+S).

   • Choose a new filename (e.g., “Kitchen_Resized.jpg”) and save to a dedicated folder.

   • For JPEG quality, select 90-95% in the save options to balance file size and clarity.

   • Repeat for other photos, or use File > Batch Conversion/Rename for multiple files: Add images to the list, apply the same resize settings, and process them all at once.

IrfanView is fast, supports formats like JPG, PNG, and TIFF, and works on Windows (XP through 11). If you prefer a no-download option, try the free online tool at ImageResizer.com: Upload your photo, enter 1024×768, and download the resized version—no software needed.

Once resized, name your photos sequentially (e.g., 01_Exterior.jpg, 02_Kitchen.jpg) as per our listing instructions for optimal MLS display.