I just learned about this seemingly new staging tactic to use pets in photos for selling homes.  Which feels sorta counter-intuitive to selling a clean and pet free home but I guess I could understand how it might appeal to pet lovers.  Curious to hear from stagers and/or realtors who use these or consider using them! What do you think? Do you have a star pet who works out in photos?

Here is a little blurb

..."Truth is, placement pets, as they are known in the advertising world, are increasingly showing up in home listing photos, trying to convey a subliminal message to would-be buyers. Golden Retrievers bouncing in the yard say "family home"; bloodhounds on the hearth rug shout out "hunting lodge"; Boxers with choke collars in the industrial city loft say "singles come hither," and teacup breeds poised on the master-bed suggest that Paris Hilton might outbid you on this property if you don't hurry."...

here is the link to the full article...leave your comments below!

 
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12 Comments on Placement pets - new trend in home staging??

JUN
26
2011
314,703 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Roslyn, I had not heard of this practice. Sometimes, pets just LOVE to be in the photos. I had a seller's cat who wanted to sprawl on one of the bedroom beds. He finally got the hint that I didn't want him in the photo! :)
12:53am • #1
570,582 Points 25 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Roslyn - I have seen pets in ads for furniture and other things, but not for real estate.  I seem to run into a lot of buyers with allergies and I have to weed out all properties with cats, dogs and smokers.  If there was a rent-a-cat in a listing photo, I would not show it to these buyers, and they might miss out on a home that is actually pet-free.
1:08am • #2
142,363 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

My advice is to exclude pets. If you're not a pet lover, those folks could be alienated. If someone favors canines, you alienate the feline lovers (and vice versa). I think most folks who are pet owners can envision a property with their pet in it. It's the furnishings that makes staging such a terrific "visual" enhancement.
1:16am • #3
616,986 Points 60 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Interesting.

But I probably won't...unless the pet belongs there, and isn't being obnoxious.

Some folks have allergies..and if they see animals of any kind, they may skip viewing the property altogether, thinking they'll never be able to get rid of the dander, the odors, fleas, etc.
1:36am • #4
1,021,127 Points 65 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I would have no problem with pets in photos....the bigger issue is the placement of the proper PET WARNING in the SHOWING Instructions!
6:45am • #5
150,443 Points

The only time I would put a pet in the photos is if it was a horse property. Showing horses grazing in the fields is a nice touch. People buying such properties wouldn't object.
7:28am • #6

Wow - what great comments. Never thought about the allergies and how placement pets might ward off potential buyers. Seems as though the general consensus is no pets in staging photos, which I agree with as well. Exceptions to farm or horse properties where you might expect to see pets. 

Thanks all for taking the time to comment!
7:40am • #7
Localism Sponsor

Roslyn..I have used pets in the past. It is so individual as to whether it is a good idea for a property or not. Takes a lot of thought. 
12:43pm • #8
284,328 Points 7 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It's hard enough to eradicate evidence of real pets, why introduce them to folks that might object due to allergies, fear, etc.?
2:30pm • #9
131,278 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Roslyn,

I'm a big time pet lover, but probably wouldn't use pets in staging.  Evidence of pets generally raises red flags to buyers and why invite any possible objections?
7:07pm • #10
JUN
28
2011

Gosh, I love my Pug, but I don't want to see, smell, or know that the home I might buy has or had pets in it. I always wonder about how well those 'accidents' were cleaned up....
3:40pm • #11
144,080 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I suggest that pets are boarded or stay with family while the house is being shown. Unless it is a horse farm. Here is the video to a horse farm that I staged recently. The horses are used to sell the turn key aspect of the horse farm.

http://tours.pbrprotours.com/7890-16sdrd/7890.html

I recently sold my own house and my two kitties were out of the house for every showing. Gosh, most of my clients actually move out for the first three days to allow for agent open house and the public open house. Definitely no pets.
8:19pm • #12


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Roslyn Ashford, Home Stager

Silver Spring, MD

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ra reDoes rooms - Home Staging, DC and Maryland

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