2026 compliance guide for real estate professionals • Reviewed September 10, 2026
The North Carolina Real Estate Commission's January 2026 AI bulletin expressly includes virtual staging among AI marketing uses. It says brokers remain responsible for advertising representations and should verify AI output for accuracy. The bulletin recommends brokerage policies, audits, and training; it does not establish a specific statewide virtual-staging watermark or original-photo format. Check the listing's MLS rules separately.
The bulletin applies existing law and Commission rules to AI-assisted work; it does not announce a separate virtual-staging fine. Enforcement depends on the underlying violation and applicable MLS policy.
Check the staged image against the original and confirm that it accurately represents the property. Record the review before publishing.
Use the receiving MLS's required labels, fields, and original-image workflow. The NCREC bulletin is regulator guidance about responsibility, rather than a template for every MLS.
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.
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