"Why do real estate agents put their photo everywhere?" It's a good question, and one we sometimes ask ourselves when an unsolicited "EXCITING NEW OFFER!!" or "EXCLUSIVE CONDO LISTING!!" finds its way into our 8-square-inch mailbox. There are certain classes of people, we understand, that need to have their picture out there: News anchors, for one, and Ben Silverman. But real estate agents?

Are they afraid we won't recognize them on the street? They're always carrying a set of keys and a clipboard with a few sheets of paper on it; step a few feet away from a velvet rope so you're not confused with a publicist hack, and it's pretty obvious you're shopping apartments.

So goes the theory: "You must slap your picture on everything possible. Any house you sell, your business cards, your MLS listings, billboards, your car. Please consider tattooing your picture and phone number on your child’s forehead."

We're gonna guess it has something to do with the personal connection you form with whoever is selling you a shoebox. And in the real estate industry, trust is a big factor, because everybody knows somebody who got screwed in the pooch for trusting some shady character with their escrow.

And if that's the case, why, then, do these agents choose the most terrible photos possible? Do not use your camera phone. Do not hold a digital camera out in front of your face. Do not take a picture of yourself in the mirror. At the very least, go to Sears.