The house in the photos is one thing, the real one another! A new trap awaits those looking for a house: 'Housefishing' is spreading

AI-powered photo editing in real estate listings is driving a trend dubbed "housefishing," in which walls are repainted, furniture removed or added, and rooms digitally altered so properties appear different from reality. Buyers relying on listing images are arriving at viewings to find homes that don't match what they saw online. The practice is spreading as sellers and agents compete to make listings more attractive. It matters because misrepresentation erodes buyer trust and wastes time on mismatched viewings. Watch for regulators and listing platforms to weigh disclosure rules or labeling of digitally altered images.