AI-altered images put off over half of buyers

According to data from House Buyer Bureau, where over 900 UK homebuyers were surveyed, 54% of them said that when they came across property images that were digitally enhanced the immediately ruled out the property.

One in five homebuyers said they had looked at a property where AI images were used to make the property look better than it was in real life. 54% said they dismissed the property straight away after seeing it in reality. 38% of those asked said they offered a lower price as they felt the presentation of the property was misleading.

The enhancement reported most (25%) was making rooms look bigger. Over a fifth said that properties were made to look brighter than they actually were, and 16% said the overall condition of the property had been artificially enhanced.

Some people mentioned that there were changes to gardens, outside space and even the digital addition of furniture. There were also changes to views from the property, and some even cited that they had removed buildings nearby or visible issues such as damp and cracks.

Despite feeling as though they had been misled, 82% of homebuyers did not challenge the AI-enhanced images, with only 15% raising it with the estate agent, and 2% complaining directly to the seller.