By The Watertown Post Editorial Team
A recent viral video titled “Homebuyers Are BEING FOOLED BY MLS MANIPULATION” has sparked discussion across the country—and it’s hitting close to home. The video outlines how real estate listings on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) are being subtly, and sometimes not-so-subtly, manipulated to mislead buyers. From doctored photos to pricing games and misleading status updates, the video offers a warning: not everything you see on a home listing is what it seems.
Here in Watertown, NY—particularly in the 13601 zip code—these tactics appear to be in play.
The Local Listings Don’t Lie
A review of current listings across Watertown shows a number of eyebrow-raising trends:
Price Ping-Pong: Homes are frequently slashed in price, often dramatically, only to sit unsold for months. This tactic can give the illusion of urgency—“act now before someone else does!”—when in fact the home has been languishing on the market.
Days-on-Market Discrepancies: Some homes have been listed for over 100 days, but you wouldn’t know it unless you dig deep. That’s because relisting the same property under a slightly different name or agent can reset the “Days on Market” clock, hiding how long it’s really been sitting.
Photo Fakery: Listings show sunlit, sparkling kitchens and gleaming floors, but walk into the open house and you might find peeling paint and drafty windows. Over-enhanced or outdated photos are a key weapon in the MLS manipulation playbook.
Status Switcheroo: Marking a home as “Pending” when it’s still being shown—or even before an offer is accepted—creates artificial scarcity. This psychological trick pressures buyers to act fast and possibly offer more.
What It Means for Watertown Buyers
The Watertown real estate market isn’t immune to these national trends. With the median sale price in 13601 now sitting at around $189,000 and homes taking longer to sell than in previous years, agents are under pressure to move properties—and some are resorting to less-than-transparent tactics to do so.
Meanwhile, the difference between listing prices and final sale prices continues to grow. This gap often reflects inflated listings designed to “test the market,” a tactic that ultimately wastes everyone’s time and creates frustration, especially for first-time buyers.
Protect Yourself: Buyer Beware
If you’re shopping for a home in Watertown:
Cross-Check Listings: Use multiple real estate platforms. Compare photos, listing history, and pricing changes.
Ask for a Full History: A reputable buyer’s agent should be able to tell you how long a property has truly been on the market—and why it hasn’t sold.
Insist on a Home Inspection: Never rely solely on listing descriptions or images. Appearances can be staged; mold and plumbing issues can’t.
Don’t Fall for the FOMO: Just because something is marked “pending” doesn’t mean it’s off the table—or even in demand.
Final Word
The Watertown Post urges local buyers to stay sharp. The real estate market has always had its games, but MLS manipulation is taking things to a new level of smoke and mirrors. If we want a transparent, honest market for all—especially for working families and first-time buyers—we need to shine a light on these tactics and demand better.
Knowledge is power. In this housing market, it may also be your best defense.
