Realtor's AI-Edited Rental Listing Shows Demonic Figure in Mirror

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A realtor's use of AI image editing tools to spruce up a rental property listing in the Washington, DC area backfired spectacularly, with renters discovering a horrifying, Eldritch creature emerging from the bathroom mirror in the posted photos. The listing has since been taken down, but not before screenshots were widely shared online, sparking reactions of fear and bewilderment from those who came across the unsettling image.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing reliance on AI tools in the real estate industry, as well as the potential pitfalls of over-editing property photos. While realtors may use these tools to make listings more appealing, the results can sometimes veer into the uncanny and unsettling, undermining trust in the accuracy of online property listings.

The details

The rental listing in question was for a property in the Fort Totten neighborhood of Washington, DC. The photos included what appeared to be a disfigured, demonic figure emerging from the bathroom mirror, an addition that was likely the result of flaws in the AI image editing process. Other unusual elements, such as an unexplained ottoman in the middle of the bathroom floor, further suggested the involvement of AI manipulation. The listing has since been removed from Apartments.com, but can still be found on other sites like Redfin, albeit without the offending mirror image.

• The listing was posted on February 18, 2026.

What’s next

The real estate company behind the listing has been contacted for comment, but it remains unclear if the use of the demonic-looking image violated any rules or regulations.