After years of selling real estate in Long Beach — 575+ transactions, $485M+ in closed sales, and the #1 ranking in the city by both volume and transactions in 2024 per RealTrends Verified — I have seen a lot. And I still see the same avoidable listing mistakes, week after week, costing sellers real money.
Buyers make decisions in seconds. They are scrolling. They are comparing. And when your listing photos are dark, cluttered, or — I cannot believe I still have to say this — include an open toilet, they move on. Just like that. To the next house.
This is not about perfection. It is about presenting your home so buyers can actually fall in love with it. And right now, in a Long Beach market where pricing strategy matters more than ever, first impressions are everything.
Here are my five biggest listing pet peeves — and why they matter more than most sellers realize.
1. The Open Toilet
Close the lid. I beg you. No buyer has ever walked through a home because they loved the shot of the bowl. Not one. In the history of real estate. Close the lid. And while you are at it — put the toilet paper away, take the plunger out of frame, and wipe down the counter. A bathroom should look like a spa, not a rest stop.
2. Vertical Phone Photography
We are selling a house. Not filming a TikTok in 2018. Hire a professional photographer — a real one, with a wide-angle lens, a tripod, and a general understanding of how light works. Professional photography is one of the highest-ROI investments a seller can make. In Long Beach's competitive market, it is non-negotiable.
3. The Clutter
I don't need to see your collection of seventeen decorative roosters. I don't need to see every crayon drawing your kids have ever made, the pile of mail on the kitchen counter, or the six throw pillows that fell on the floor. I love your family. I love your life. Temporarily remove it from the photos. Buyers need to see themselves in the space — not you in the space.
4. The Word "Cozy"
Cozy is a word agents use when a room fits exactly one full bed and a dream. If I have to describe your square footage with an adjective, we have a problem. Be honest. Be accurate. Price and market the home for what it is, and the right buyer will love it. Buyers who show up expecting a bedroom and find a closet with ambitions will not be making offers.
5. Photos Taken in the Dark
Every home has windows. Open them. Turn on every light in the house. Shoot during golden hour if you can. Light makes spaces feel larger, warmer, and more welcoming. Dark photos make buyers wonder what you are hiding. In a city like Long Beach where natural light is one of our greatest selling points, dark listing photos are simply unforgivable.
Why This Matters More Than Ever Right Now
Long Beach's single family home market is still strong — well-priced, well-presented homes are moving. But the condo market has softened. Inventory is up. Buyers have options. In this environment, the listings that win are the ones that show beautifully and are backed by a real marketing strategy.
I am Costanza Genoese Zerbi, ranked #1 in Long Beach by both sales volume and number of transactions in 2024 by RealTrends Verified — the real estate industry's most trusted independent ranking, based entirely on actual closed sales. My national volume rank is #434. My California sides rank is #35. That ranking reflects one thing: results for my clients, year after year.
When I list your home, the toilet is closed. The photographer is a professional. And every detail is designed to attract the right buyer at the right price.
Thinking about selling? Find out what your Long Beach home is worth today.
