2026 compliance guide for real estate professionals • Reviewed September 10, 2026
NorthstarMLS published virtual-staging and AI-photo guidance on July 10, 2026, explicitly describing it as proposed guidelines and best-practice disclosures. It recommends identifying altered images and including an unaltered before image for every affected room or area. Do not describe that article as a Minnesota statute or proof of an adopted MLS rule; confirm the current policy with NorthstarMLS and any other receiving service.
The proposed-guidance article does not establish a new statutory penalty or a dated MLS fine schedule. Verify the adopted MLS rule and applicable Minnesota licensing provisions before stating an enforcement consequence.
The July guidance recommends visible disclosure and at least one original image for each staged area. Keep every alteration matched to its source photo.
The proposed guidelines limit staging to personal property and reject invented or concealed permanent features. Use this as a conservative publishing practice while confirming the governing MLS rules.
Describe the edits accurately and replace every bracketed placeholder. Check the required wording, image placement, MLS fields, and original-photo access described above. Use custom image labels only where permitted. A template does not authorise an otherwise prohibited or misleading alteration.
“The identified images have been digitally altered with virtual furniture and decor. These items are not physically present. View the corresponding original, unaltered photographs at: [PUBLIC ORIGINAL-IMAGE LINK].”
“Digitally altered / virtually staged image. The furniture and decor shown were digitally added and are not physically present. View the original, unaltered image: [PUBLIC ORIGINAL-IMAGE LINK].”
“This photograph has been digitally altered with virtual furniture and decor. These items are not physically present. Compare the clearly identified original, unaltered image shown alongside it or at: [PUBLIC ORIGINAL-IMAGE LINK].”
“DIGITALLY ALTERED / VIRTUALLY STAGED – Original image: [PUBLIC URL OR QR CODE]”
Guide reviewed September 10, 2026. Links below include legislation, regulator guidance, and board or MLS materials. Their scope differs: a board rule is not statewide law, and a regulator homepage is not proof that no other rules exist. This guide does not verify every local MLS policy. Confirm the current requirements before publishing.
© 2026 MappedBy Inc. All Rights Reserved