robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

You are welcome.
A possible compromise.
Simple one click solutions to some of the problems without getting a degree in photography and/or Post Processing.
I took your picture of the kitchen, imported it to Light Room (other programs also do this, I used LR) and corrected for the verticals only. Horizontal would have resulted in the software trying to make those counter edges the horizon.
Sorry I cropped the bottom, when I exported from LR I forgot to turn off my copyright and signature. Fastest correction but still show the vertical correction was a quick crop.

ollie Loc: Ogdensburg, NY

from your comments I would recommend a lens wider than 24mm equivalent on a full frame body. Preferably a zoom. 24 is nice on scenics but interiors of houses will probably be better suited by something wider

texashill Loc: Texas Hill Country

Good suggestion, thanks

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

This photographer I've been mentoring for the past 2 yrs shoots high end RE. He uses a combination of speedlights, hot lights, mono lights, a pair of Canon 5DMkIIIs, a 17mm and a 24mm TS lens, a 24-70 F2.8 and takes advantage of HDR, panostitching (often together). I have shown him how to use blackout cloth on the windows, and to take multiple exposures using a single speedlight (like light painting) to create an effect. His work is an example of what high end RE can be. Is this what you are striving for?

http://ronnachtwey.com/before-after-residential/

The best results are achieved with a combination of camera, lens(es), composition/lighting/shooting technique, and solid post processing. A deficit in any of the above will reduce image quality, but more importantly, the eye-catching image quality that sells houses. Kinda like house-porn.

texashill Loc: Texas Hill Country

Thanks, good to contemplate the use of auxiliary lighting and the photos are an excellent example of what can be accomplished and of increased image quality. But in terms of composition, maybe it's just me, but I don't see tripod level photos as always being the proper choice; particularly in kitchens. True, tripod level makes vertical line distortion easy to deal with but I think it interferes with presenting what it is that is being offered for purchase. Buyers are more interested, based on my showing experience, with a good look at cabinetry, flooring, and countertops than they are with evaluating the technical correctness of vertical lines. But I also think that I could do a better job of handling vertical lines. If a photographer, as does a chess player, can think a move ahead he can add a bit of space to allow for vertical line correction.

As I stated in my original post, this forum has been most helpful to me in showing me what it is that I don't know. It never much occured to me to care about vertical lines but now that I know I have worked on some photos with my PSP perspective correction tool and have discovered how to combat the distortion.

Up until the last couple of years, I never noticed very wide angles in the MLS presentations. In the past, the photos were so badly compressed that hiring a pro didn't occur to high end realtors. But now that the pros have become involved, tripods and very wide angles are being employed. I suppose that this type of photography will become the norm. The Sony A7 does provide an alternative; tilting viewfinder, large sensor, image stabilization, interchangeable lens. Perhaps this new camera will produce something better than the present norm.