Upload Guide

How to Upload Photos & Notes for Your Listing

After purchasing a SeaRei package, you'll get access to the Agent Command Center where you can create listings, upload photos, and add detailed per-photo notes. This guide walks you through the complete workflow from purchase to delivery.

Workflow overview: Buy a package → Get access to Agent Command Center → Create a new listing → Upload photos → Add per-photo notes → Submit for review & compliance check → Receive staged images in 24 hours.

Step by step

The Upload Process

1. Access Agent Command Center

After completing your purchase, you'll receive an email with a secure link to your Agent Command Center (dashboard). This is where you'll manage all your listings, track order status, and communicate with the SeaRei team. Bookmark this link for easy access.

2. Create New Listing

Click "Create New Listing" in your dashboard and fill in the property basics:

  • Property address: Full street address
  • MLS number: Your listing's MLS ID (if available)
  • Target go-live date: When you need the staged images
  • Board selection: Choose NWMLS (Washington) or REBGV (British Columbia) so we apply the correct compliance rules

3. Upload Photos

Use the batch upload feature to add all photos for this listing at once. We recommend:

  • High resolution: At least 1920px wide for best staging quality
  • Straight-on shots: Avoid extreme angles that distort room proportions
  • Cover all key rooms: Living room, kitchen, primary bedroom, and any standout spaces
  • Natural lighting: Avoid heavy filters or over-editing that makes the space look unrealistic
  • Show defects honestly: Don't hide permanent issues—we'll stage around them while keeping them visible

4. Add Per-Photo Notes

For each uploaded photo, add detailed notes that guide our staging process. Include:

  • Room name: e.g., "Primary bedroom – East-facing" or "Kitchen – main prep area"
  • Priority: Mark which images are hero shots (e.g., "Hero image #1", "Secondary", "Supporting")
  • Style direction: e.g., "Calm modern PNW, soft neutrals" or "West Coast Contemporary with warm wood tones"
  • Must-haves: Specific furniture or props you want included (e.g., "Bed, two nightstands, small bench at foot of bed")
  • Avoid: What NOT to add (e.g., "No art above bed, no floor plants, no coastal turquoise palette")
  • Compliance constraints: Critical instructions like "Do NOT remove baseboard heater; do NOT hide outlet on left wall; do NOT change window size"

5. Submit for Review

Once all photos and notes are added, click "Submit for Review." Our team will:

  • Review each image against NWMLS Rule 10i or REBGV "True Picture" standards
  • Flag any requests that would violate compliance rules (we'll contact you to discuss alternatives)
  • Stage your images with the style and furniture you specified
  • Deliver original + staged pairs within 24 hours (standard turnaround)
  • Include ready-to-paste MLS disclosure text with your delivery

Example

Per-Photo Note Template

Here's a well-structured note example that gives our team everything they need:

Room: Primary bedroom – East-facing

Priority: Hero image #1

Style: Calm modern PNW, soft neutrals

Must include: Bed, two nightstands, small bench at foot of bed

Avoid: No art above bed, no floor plants, no coastal turquoise palette

Compliance: Do NOT remove baseboard heater; do NOT hide outlet on left wall

Real example

Full Listing Example (8 Photos)

Here's how a complete Listing Pro package (8 images) might look with notes:

Photo Room & Priority Style & Notes Compliance
1 Living room
Hero #1
Eastside Modern, warm neutrals. Must show sofa, coffee table, area rug. Keep baseboard heater visible
2 Kitchen
Hero #2
Clean, minimal. Key appliances visible. Avoid cluttered countertops. Do not remove wall vent
3 Primary bedroom
Hero #3
Calm PNW style, soft neutrals. Bed, nightstands, bench. Keep window frame unchanged
4 Dining area
Secondary
Modern table, 4-6 chairs. Light, airy feel.
5 Bathroom
Secondary
Spa-like, minimal decor. Towels, small plant OK. Do not hide small wall crack near mirror
6 Office/Den
Supporting
Home office setup: desk, chair, small bookshelf.
7 Guest bedroom
Supporting
Neutral, welcoming. Bed, side table.
8 Exterior
Hero #4
Blue sky edit (complimentary). Natural, bright lighting. Do not remove power lines or neighboring buildings

Best practices

Bad vs Good Notes

Clear, specific notes help us deliver exactly what you need while staying compliant. Here are examples of vague vs. effective notes:

❌ Too Vague

"Make it nice"

This doesn't tell us what style you want, which room this is, or what compliance constraints exist.

✅ Better

"Living room – Hero image. Eastside Modern style with warm neutrals. Include sofa, coffee table, area rug. Avoid coastal colors. Do NOT remove baseboard heater on left wall."

Clear room ID, priority, style direction, must-haves, avoid list, and compliance constraint.

❌ Too Vague

"Stage the bedroom"

Which bedroom? What style? Any compliance issues to watch for?

✅ Better

"Primary bedroom – East-facing window. Calm modern PNW, soft neutrals. Must include: bed, two nightstands, small bench. Avoid: art above bed, floor plants. Compliance: keep window frame and baseboard heater unchanged."

Room identified, style specified, furniture list, avoid list, and compliance constraints all clear.

❌ Too Vague

"Fix the view"

This could mean anything—and might violate compliance if it means changing the actual view.

✅ Better

"Kitchen – Blue sky edit on exterior window view (complimentary). Keep actual view unchanged—do NOT add mountains or ocean that aren't there. Stage kitchen with modern appliances visible, minimal counter clutter."

Specific request (sky edit) with clear compliance boundary (don't change actual view).

Compliance first

Compliance Checklist Before You Upload

Before sending photos, make sure you're set up for a smooth, compliant staging process:

  • Do not send only heavily edited photos. We need to see the real space, including any defects or permanent features.
  • Make sure defects are still visible in at least one angle. If you have a wall crack, water stain, or baseboard heater, include it in your photos so we can stage around it without hiding it.
  • Shoot all key rooms. Cover living, kitchen, primary bedroom, and any standout spaces that buyers will want to see.
  • Avoid heavy filters. Natural lighting and realistic colors help us stage accurately.
  • If you're unsure whether a request is allowed, mention it in your notes. We'll advise you or decline noncompliant requests to protect your license.
  • Know your board's rules. NWMLS Rule 10i and REBGV "True Picture" have specific requirements—we'll apply the right checklist based on your board selection.

For a detailed internal compliance checklist, see our compliance kit documentation in the repository (docs/SEAREI_COMPLIANCE_KIT_CHECKLIST.md) for reference.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many photos should I send for each package?

Single Listing: Up to 3 staged images per listing.

Listing Pro: Up to 8 staged images per listing.

Premium Bundle: 18 total staged images across up to 3 listings (you can distribute these as needed).

You can upload more photos than your package includes—we'll stage the number covered by your package, and you can upgrade if needed.

What makes a good per-image note?
A good note includes:
  • Room identification: Which room is this? (e.g., "Primary bedroom – East-facing")
  • Priority level: Is this a hero image or supporting?
  • Style direction: What aesthetic are you aiming for? (e.g., "Calm modern PNW, soft neutrals")
  • Must-haves: Specific furniture or props you want included
  • Avoid list: What NOT to add (colors, styles, items)
  • Compliance instructions: Critical constraints like "Do NOT remove baseboard heater" or "Keep window frame unchanged"
The more specific you are, the better we can match your vision while staying compliant.
Can I upload photos and then send a separate document with notes?
Yes, you can send a separate document, but make sure it clearly maps notes to photo filenames or upload order. For example, if your document says "Photo 3: Living room – Hero image," make sure we can identify which uploaded file is "Photo 3." The easiest approach is to add notes directly in the Agent Command Center as you upload, but we can work with separate documents if needed.
What if I'm not sure about style? Can you suggest one?
Absolutely. If you're unsure about style direction, you can leave the style field blank or write "Suggest PNW-appropriate style" and our team will recommend a style that fits your property type and region. We have curated style libraries for Pacific Northwest homes (Eastside Modern, West Coast Contemporary, etc.) that work well for most listings.
What happens if my request violates compliance rules?
If a request would violate NWMLS Rule 10i or REBGV "True Picture" standards, we'll contact you before staging to discuss alternatives. For example, if you ask us to remove a baseboard heater, we'll explain why that's not allowed and suggest how to stage around it instead. We refuse noncompliant requests to protect your license and reputation.
How long does the review and staging process take?
Standard turnaround is 24 hours from submission. If you need rush delivery, contact us through the Agent Command Center and we'll do our best to accommodate (rush fees may apply). During peak times, turnaround may extend to 48 hours—we'll notify you if that's the case.