{"result":"update_story","description":"<p>A Kelowna realtor has been fined thousands of dollars by the BC regulator, BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) after editing photos on a listing. <\/p> <p>The realtor, Lori Evans, was fined a total of $6,000 for the infraction, according to a<a href=\"http:\/\/file:\/\/\/Users\/nowmedia12\/Downloads\/lori-evans-and-lori-evans-personal-real-estate-corporation-notice-administrative-penalty.pdf\"> decision by the BCFSA. <\/a><\/p> <p><img alt=\"123RF\" src=\"\/files\/files\/images\/188770265_m_normal_none.jpg\" style=\"margin: 5px;\" \/><\/p> <p>In 2023, Evans was selling a home in Christina Lake. The buyer put in three offers before the home was sold to them for $490K. <\/p> <p>The buyer, who is also the complainant, did not see the home in person until after the purchase, and instead relied on images posted to MLS. <\/p>\n\t\t<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1515615292703-0\" class=\"dfp-ad dfp-in-content\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px;\">\n\t\t<script>\n\t\t\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(\"div-gpt-ad-1515615292703-0\"); });\n\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t <p>However, the images had been digitally altered to conceal issues with the home like peeling paint. <\/p> <p>The complaint reads that the contract stipulated that the property was sold furnished, but the furnishings in the edited photos were not the furnishings present at the property. <\/p> <p>The complainant also said that the fact the listing photos were digitally staged was not communicated. <\/p> <p>Further, the initial offer price for the home was increased based on the condition of the property and the furnishings being included. <\/p> <p>&ldquo;I had no choice but to rescind the deal as the listing agent refused to speak with the seller on these matters,&rdquo; said the complainant, adding that cost should fall on the listing agent. <\/p> <p>The complainant also sought compensation for travel and time.<\/p> <p>&ldquo;In my view, the posting of those photographs was likely to give prospective purchasers an impression of the property which was not accurate,&rdquo; said the hearing officer. <\/p> <p>The regulator found that Evans had contravened two rules, one carrying a fine of $5,000 and the other $1,000.<\/p> <p>Evans applied to have the <a href=\"http:\/\/file:\/\/\/Users\/nowmedia12\/Downloads\/lori-evans-and-lori-evans-personal-real-estate-corporation-notice-administrative-penalty.pdf\">decision reconsidered <\/a>and the penalty dropped, but was unsuccessful. <\/p>","title":"Kelowna realtor fined for digitally altering photos of Christina Lake home"}