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Dog Friendly Condo - A Great Idea - Put a Dog in Your Listing Photos!

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Capital Properties DC AB15253

 

 

My idea was to use the owner's daughter's dog in the listing photos to demonstrate that the Woodley Park Towers condominium is VERY pet friendly. I asked my sellers to make sure that Joshua, this lovely rescued italian grey hound, would be there for the photographer when the listing photos were taken today.  I wanted to give the message that dogs were welcome in this pre World War II condo -  a rarity in DC where most older buildings prohibit four legged members of the family.  Here in DC, if you want a dog, go live in a new building with small boxy rooms and no architectural interest. If you want elegant living, forget your dog - except at the Woodley Park Towers - right on Connecticut Avenue, near the Zoo, shops and restaurants, in Woodley Park.

My owner misunderstood my instructions to have Joshua there at 1 this afternoon, and Joshua arrived an hour late, when the photos were finished, but the photographer is a good sport and agreed to add a few photos of Joshua. A few shots of the elegant dog sitting in the elegant living room -or the elegant dog lounging on the bed in the master bedroom -  how hard could that be?

1. Do you know that greyhounds DON"T sit? Because of the muscles and bone structure of their legs, they either stand or lie down on the ground. They don't sit. Not even for a treat!

2. Okay - so we decided to put the dog on the living room sofa. Only problem is that, unlike my dog, which is beside me on the bed right now - Joshua not only is not allowed on the furniture - he doesn't even try to get on the furniture. 

3. When we tried to get him on the sofa or bed, it required ten minutes, a box of treats and my poor seller dancing just out of camera range to keep Joshua in place for the photos. The photographer was remarkably patient. Probably was good that he had just returned from Yellowstone where he had been photographing wolves!

Hopefully this photo is going to encourage all the dog loves in DC to come to my open house on Sunday from 2 to 5 - Put me on your list!

 

 

Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Lise, that is a brilliant idea!  The pet friendly thing makes this a favoite building of mine.

Sep 16, 2009 02:04 PM
Darrin Friedman
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty - Allegheny, PA

Love it!!!!!!

Sep 16, 2009 03:15 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Lise, what a clever idea! Especially so in an area that excludes pets - it will certainly catch the eye of a Buyer without even having to read about it.

Sharon

Sep 16, 2009 03:16 PM
Dawn Rueger
Beiser Realty - Oshkosh, WI

Thanks for sharing your experience. The above photo looks terrific!

They say you learn something new everyday and as it approaches 11:22pm in Oshkosh Wisconsin. I can say that the new item I learned today is that greyhounds do not sit! WOW just in the "nick" of time! lol

 

Sep 16, 2009 04:24 PM
Sharon & Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette, IN - Lafayette, IN
West Lafayette homes for sale

I think you have a hit on your hands here, Lise! 

We had a hard time finding a place to stay for a four day trip to Michigan this summer that would take dogs.  Perhaps if they had a photo like this on line,  it would send a message that pets were welcome, and to bring them on your vacation.

Joshua is a very stately and regal looking animal!

 

Sep 17, 2009 12:10 AM
Brian Berke
Mortgage Master Inc. - Washington, DC

Only slight concern is that the dog almost doesn't look real (seriously).

Sep 17, 2009 12:55 AM
Michael J. Gallo
Florida Luxury Realty - New Port Richey, FL
Florida Luxury Realty - Gulf Home Sales Team

Excellent idea Lise. 

Sharon ~ If you get the Big Book from Best western It will give you all of their pet friendly hotels nationwide.  I use it every time I plan my trips so My Best Friend can join me.  Just hop on their website and get a free copy of the travel guide. 

Sep 18, 2009 12:07 PM
Sandra White
John L Scott Real Estate - Port Townsend, WA
Experienced Residential Resale Broker

That's a great idea, if the buyers are dog lovers.  I can't imagine anyone that wouldn't be, but you never know.  Good luck with your listing. 

Sep 18, 2009 02:53 PM
Laura Gray
RE/MAX Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD

Lisa - Great tip and pet-friendly information is vital in the urban areas.

I would have to take a picture of a chicken or cow in my area , I wonder if they can sit ? "D

Sep 21, 2009 07:54 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Lise--During the past year, I have had more buyers that are allergic to pets than ever before--so, I think that this would be a great idea--if they home has had pets in it, it's clearly not one that those buyers will want to see so, you're not wasting anyone's time!

To me, I love pet photos and that would not stop me from looking at a home--it just tells me that the owners are true animal lovers to have their pets in their listing photos!  That's the kind of seller I want to work with when buying!

Debe in Charlotte

Sep 21, 2009 04:09 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Real Estate Agent, Home Stager, & Photographer

Lise - what an excellent way to advertise a listing that is located in a pet friendly community.

Oct 29, 2009 12:15 PM