Correct dark exposures, remove hearth clutter, and enhance fireplace ambiance — with AB 723 compliance guidance for material alterations
Fireplace photo fixes for real estate listings include correcting exposure in dark fireplace alcoves, removing hearth clutter, and in some cases adding a lit-fire effect to a working fireplace that was not lit during the photo shoot. Exposure correction and clutter removal are generally straightforward. Adding a lit-fire effect to a fireplace that is not actually lit during the photo is a material alteration under California's AB 723 (California Business and Professions Code § 10087, effective January 1, 2024) — the fireplace appears to be in working, lit condition when the photo was taken with it off. This requires AB 723 disclosure in California. For a fireplace that is confirmed as working by the seller, showing it lit is an accurate representation of its function — but the alteration must still be disclosed. BuildMyListing handles all fireplace photo types with appropriate compliance guidance.
Pricing: Starting $99/month
Time Required: 3–5 minutes per photo
Fireplaces are major selling features that often photograph poorly. The fireplace alcove is typically the darkest part of the room. Hearths accumulate ash, tools, and clutter. A beautiful fireplace that appears as a dark, cluttered hole in listing photos undersells a property feature that buyers specifically look for.
BuildMyListing corrects fireplace exposure, removes hearth clutter, and optionally adds a lit ambiance effect — with clear AB 723 compliance guidance for California listings on which enhancements require disclosure.
The deep, dark space inside a fireplace opening creates an exposure challenge for interior photography. BuildMyListing corrects the dark alcove exposure — revealing brick, stone, or tile detail inside the firebox — without overexposing the rest of the room. Exposure correction is generally exempt from AB 723 disclosure requirements.
Benefit: Fireplace detail visible without blowing out the rest of the room
Hearths accumulate ash buckets, log holders, fire tools, decorative objects, and clutter that distract from the fireplace's architectural value. BuildMyListing removes hearth clutter and personal items from fireplace photos — revealing a clean, appealing hearth presentation. Clutter removal is a material alteration under AB 723 in California.
Benefit: Clean, uncluttered hearth that showcases the fireplace feature
Adding a lit-fire effect to an unlit fireplace is a material alteration — it makes the fireplace appear to be in active, working condition during the photo shoot when it was not. In California, this requires AB 723 disclosure. BuildMyListing can add a realistic lit-fire effect for working fireplaces not lit during the shoot, with automatic AB 723 disclosure page generation for California listings. The listing description should confirm the fireplace is working.
Benefit: Compelling lit-fireplace photos with appropriate California AB 723 disclosure
Different fireplace types — wood-burning, gas, electric, decorative/non-functional — have different disclosure implications. BuildMyListing photo enhancements are matched to the fireplace type confirmed by the agent. A decorative non-working fireplace should not be shown lit; a gas fireplace that is lit can be shown without disclosure. Accurate type identification ensures the photo represents the feature accurately.
Benefit: Photo enhancements matched to the actual fireplace type and working condition
Upload fireplace photos. Confirm fireplace type (wood-burning, gas, electric, decorative/non-functional) and working condition. This determines which enhancements are appropriate and whether AB 723 disclosure applies for California listings.
BuildMyListing corrects exposure in the firebox area, removes hearth clutter, and optionally adds lit ambiance for working fireplaces. For California listings, the AB 723 compliance assessment is run — marking material alterations (clutter removal, lit-fire addition) for disclosure.
Download the enhanced fireplace photos. For California listings, the AB 723 disclosure page is generated for any material alterations — clutter removal, lit-fire effect, or other modifications beyond exempt exposure correction.
| Fireplace Enhancement | Material Alteration? | AB 723 (CA)? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exposure correction of dark firebox | No — exempt | Exempt | Brightness/exposure adjustment; no disclosure required |
| Hearth clutter removal | Yes | Disclosure required | Object removal is a material alteration under AB 723 |
| Add lit-fire to unlit working fireplace | Yes | Disclosure required | Fireplace shown as lit when photo taken unlit — must disclose |
| Add lit-fire to decorative/non-working fireplace | Yes — and misrepresentation risk | Disclosure required; verify accuracy | May imply fireplace works when it does not — confirm with seller |
| Color or white balance correction in fireplace area | No — exempt | Exempt | White balance adjustment; no disclosure required |
Scenario: Agent listing a California home with a beautiful stone gas fireplace. Photographer shot during daytime; fireplace was not lit. Agent wants to show the fireplace lit in listing photos.
Process: Confirm fireplace is working gas unit → Add lit-fire ambiance effect → AB 723 disclosure page generated (lit-fire is material alteration) → QR code added to print materials → Listing description confirms working gas fireplace
Compliance: Lit-fire effect disclosed per Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 10087. Working condition confirmed by seller. Disclosure page shows original (unlit) and modified (lit) versions.
Scenario: Agent listing a home in a non-California market. Fireplace photos show a dark, cluttered hearth with ash tools and decorative items.
Process: Correct firebox exposure → Remove hearth clutter → No AB 723 statute applies → Disclose material alterations in listing remarks → Export clean fireplace photos
Compliance: No state-specific photo disclosure statute. Material alterations disclosed in listing remarks. Original photos retained.
Transform your listing photos with AI-powered enhancement and automatic AB 723 compliance tracking.
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