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Animals of the MLS

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Zion Realty

My weekly Animals of the MLS blog post had to take a one week hiatus while I was away at church Summer Camp last week but we're back in the saddle (pun intended).  We've got a floppy eared and curious dog racing in to check out the scene in this week's Animals of the MLS. He can't get there fast enough to ensure this strange, picture taking agent is a friend not a foe. I'm sure our furry friend zipped around the corner at such a trot that the agent didn't have time to pull back and reset for the photo, however, how it ended up still loaded on to the MLS as a marketing tool is beyond me. A cute picture none-the-less this photo never should have made it on to the listing. 

This is a great example of why animals should be kenneled or completely removed from the home during showings when your house is listed for sale on the open market. Going off of the assumption that this hustling hound is friendly, if he's that enthusiastic about entering a room when a stranger comes calling, then I bet he'd also be excited enough to jump and beg for attention. Small children, elderly clients, individuals with pet allergies, or just home buyers who have a fear of animals could be very disturbed at the sight of this dog running towards them. As well intended as he may be, this pet could be a major distraction or complete turn-off to a potential home shopper who may not feel comfortable viewing a home knowing there's a chance they could encounter this beloved member of the family.

As for the picture of the room itself it's bland, boring, lifeless, and doesn't do a thing to help drive buyer interest in purchasing this home. The sectional couch cuts off and divides the room so you don't get the full scope of size or functionality options of the space. A professional stager could have certainly added some splashes of color to help bring this room to life by adding wall art, a few decorative pieces to the entertainment unit and perhaps even a small throw rug. Any or all of those extra touches would have made this space a whole lot more appealing than it appears here. 

If you're selling your home in Gilbert, Arizona or the East Valley let the experts at Zion Realty help you. We take professional photos and put together a perfect marketing strategy to sell your property. Contact us at ZionRealtyAZ.com today!

Comments(27)

Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Nicole... that pooch may just be the most interesting and colorful part of the entire room!

Jun 18, 2016 06:58 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

That's funny.  He was like wait for me to get out of the photo!

Jun 18, 2016 07:14 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Lauren - It's getting better as more and more agents now hire professional photographers.

Barbara - There really is no reason why this photo ended up on the MLS. It's not as if the dog is hidden and you could have missed it.

Liz - Nothing redeeming about this photo.

Alexandra - The dog is the only life in that room.

Kathleen - I always email the listing to my clients so they can see how good I've made their home look. I can't imagine this agent wanted their sellers to see this photo. 

Noah - I know plenty of people who don't and they would have avoided this home.

Chris - There's no end to them. Unfortunately as long as there are agents who don't care I'll have blogging fodder each week.

Nina - It certainly is. Nothing else about that room is appealing.

Belinda - Ha! Maybe that's why he was running. He was trying to get out of the way. 

Jun 18, 2016 07:26 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Nicole - There's really no justification for that photo as a marketing tool, dog or not. I'm always puzzled why agents do this.

Jun 18, 2016 07:54 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

No kidding, there really is no excuse unless of course the agent is blind and cannot afford an assitant or photographer.

Jun 18, 2016 11:19 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Nicole this is a pretty bad picture.  Even the dog seems to be asking for some one to turn on the lights.

Jun 18, 2016 11:41 AM
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Hi Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert ,  you know!  I was so busy looking at the dog, that I didn't even see the room.  That's the problem with animal distractions.  That photograper was probably too busy looking for the door!  

Jun 18, 2016 01:49 PM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

As a virtual asst it is amazing to me how realtors include photos like these but obviously many of them do.

Jun 18, 2016 07:52 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

It's not so amazing that the photographer had a picture with a dog in it, but the surprising thing is that the agent used that picture on MLS! For all the reasons you mentioned - not just the dog but because it's bland and dark. This photo would not help sell the house.

Jun 18, 2016 08:20 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Nicole --- hmmm --- I've been told if I can't say something nice, not to say anything at all.   

Jun 19, 2016 04:24 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

At least the dog adds some life to a very dreary room!

Jun 19, 2016 09:04 AM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

How can we be surprised by the animals. I'm more shocked by some of the pictures I see on listings. How do sellers never look at their listing to see how well their home came out? LOL

Jun 19, 2016 12:36 PM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Nicole, I saw a few pups in our MLS this week and thought of you. I never cease to be amazed at the poor marketing sellers settle for. Why on earth any seller would accept this is beyond me.

Jun 19, 2016 11:20 PM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Dick - It puzzles me as well although it's getting a little better.

Debbie - You would have to be blind not to see that dog!

George - Only so that he can find his chew toy that he lost.

Larry - If it's a distraction in the photo they are also a distraction in person which is why a homeowner should try and remove them for showings. 

Sharon - Too many! If you're not a good photographer it's not that hard to hire a professional now-days. 

Kat - I take some bad photos all the time. Maybe the angle was off or the lighting wasn't right, but I review them and delete them. I don't upload them. 

Michael - Good words to live by but I wouldn't have this weekly blog series if I followed that advice. 

Freddie Laser - It's the only life in the room

Tammy - All of my sellers do. As soon as I make their listing active I email them a copy of it so they can review it. 

Amanda - I just think some sellers don't realize the professional services they could be getting so they think this level of service is normal. 

 

Jun 20, 2016 01:34 AM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Hi Nicole, that poor puppy breaths life into this photo actually. How do these photos even pass the inspection from sellers? Have a great week!

Jun 20, 2016 02:16 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Nicole - I am sure you could not get out furry friend outside for long today.  But he could use a different home while the house is showing.  Stay cool out there!

Jun 20, 2016 05:30 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

While the dog and pic is cute, Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert ... I totally agree with you on the caging of animals prior to real estate pros (or other pros) entering your property.  When I was appraising, it happened fairly commonly. No bites, etc. to report ... but had a few scares ...

Gene

Jun 20, 2016 06:11 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

The very best thing about this house: the pup! He is the only living example of life here. It's as if we have moved to another planet and are waiting to see if there is really anything of substance and color. I happen to love this pup, who clearly wants to get to know the camera person! Give me SOMETHING, this little critter is saying in a final plea, because of the absence of anything joyful in his surroundings. 

Jun 20, 2016 01:00 PM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Beth - I'm guessing most of these sellers don't even see these pictures. How could they and not be dissatisfied?

Grant - During the summer it is difficult to get them out of the house for a showing. It's way too hot to go for a walk. Their paws can't take the heat of the sidewalks.

Gene - I bet homeowners didn't always see the necessity of kenneling for a home inspector versus a potential home shopper but to me, it's the same thing.

Gayle - If the backyard was as boring as the inside of this home, this poor guy must have been bored still most days. 

 

Jun 21, 2016 01:37 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Yes, cute fella, but my mom would rule that house from a list in a heartbeat.  You just don't even need to know pets reside there in the MLS.  

Jun 21, 2016 03:09 AM