What Stellar MLS Article 04.04 requires for virtually staged listing photos in Florida: the exact public-remarks sentence, the photo-description wording, what alterations are prohibited, and the penalty.
Yes. Stellar MLS requires virtually staged photos to be disclosed three ways at once: the words “Virtually staged” in the photo description field, the virtually-staged field checked, and the public remarks must open with the exact sentence “One or more photo(s) was virtually staged.” Only non-permanent personal property may be staged — permanent fixtures, exterior scenes, views, and defects may not be altered — and violations mean the photos are pulled plus a Level I automatic fine.
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| Disclosure required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Required label wording | NO watermark is mandated by Article 04.04. Required text is the words “Virtually staged” entered in the photo description field, the virtually-staged checkbox ticked, and the public remarks beginning with the exact sentence “One or more photo(s) was virtually staged.” |
| Label placement | NOT on the image. Article 04.04 prohibited use (E) states: “No branding is permitted. The use of people or persons and/or words on any property photograph submitted to the Service is strictly prohibited.” — an on-image text overlay may itself violate this rule in Stellar. Disclosure goes in the photo description field + public remarks. FLAG: this conflicts with the burned-in-badge pattern SEAREI uses for CA/AB 723; needs a Stellar-specific delivery mode. Secondary sources claim Stellar “provides a watermark” — not supported by the primary rule text; unverified. |
| Listing description must disclose | Yes |
| Original photo required | No |
Alterations this rule covers:
Effective 2021-01-01.
Virtually staged photos removed from the service, plus an automatic fine under the Automatic Fine Schedule, Level I (Article 11 / Section 4.3). Exact dollar amount not stated in Article 04.04 — not yet verified from the fine schedule.
The rule text does not require one. Article 04.04 puts the disclosure in the photo description field and public remarks. Prohibited use (E) bars words on property photographs, so a burned-in text overlay may itself be a violation — confirm with Stellar MLS compliance before overlaying text.
Only unattached furniture or décor. Article 04.04 prohibited use (A) bars virtually staging exteriors otherwise, and Stellar’s photo-rules page adds that you cannot remove utility lines, add landscape plantings, or cover material flaws.
No. Article 04.04 states virtual staging shall not be used for pre-construction and under-construction properties.
This page summarizes publicly available rules for general information and is not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the cited source or your broker or legal counsel before relying on it.