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Animals of the MLS

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Zion Realty

We have a super happy hound in this week's edition of Animals of the MLS. This little pug appears to be up for anything as he follows this real estate agent around his property to give a personal guided tour. I'm sure he's showing her all the great spots to lie down in the shady grass and pointing out the best places in the yard to run around and bark at the sound of passing cars and neighbors. If this agent played their cards right, I just bet he even shared with them a few secret spots where he's hidden toys and buried treasures in the ground! 

Even as this smaller breed of dog is not known to be aggressive these little ankle biters can still do damage to an unsuspecting home shopper if, in their joy, they jump up or begin to bark excitedly. This could scare away any individuals that have a fear of dogs, the elderly populace, or small children that aren't comfortable around animals. That's why it's always best to either have your dog kenneled for home showings or completely remove them from the premises but taking them for a walk or perhaps to the park while a potential buyer is contemplating purchasing your home. 

Most of these Animals of the MLS pictures are some of the worst photos and poor choices for marketing a home. However, the picture of this yard isn't half bad. The homeowners have at least taken care to have this space cleaned up and landscaped so that it gives a potential home buyer the impression that this property has been well cared for which can go a long way in easing their minds as to the condition of the home they are thinking of purchasing. A little photoshopping would have easily removed Fido out of the picture so as not to be a distraction. Another improvement that could have been made would have been to use a wide angle lens to give the yard more depth and width. Overall, there have been much worse pictures uploaded to the MLS that were used to "showcase" a home for sale. 

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 (13)

John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert Very true, this is little pug can be aggressive. Thanks for an educational post.

Jul 30, 2016 03:03 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert

They can bark your ear off!

Aug 01, 2016 12:17 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Nicole,

He is showing off his beautiful dog yard.  A

Jul 30, 2016 03:12 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert

Like an expert tour guide.

Aug 01, 2016 12:18 AM
Chrissi Chapman Topoleski
Coldwell Banker Realty - Woodbridge, VA
Helping agents live an exceptional life!

Perhaps the dog conveys? 

Jul 30, 2016 04:12 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert

I bet those owners had something to say about that 

Aug 01, 2016 12:18 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Not a bad looking yard but the realtor could have easily taken the pic without fido in it.

Jul 30, 2016 04:42 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert

Or they could have easily cropped it out.

Aug 01, 2016 12:18 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Nicole- I have to agree.  For me, the problem is that the dog distracts from your initial view of the back yard. 

Jul 30, 2016 06:38 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert

The yard is nice and the dog is happy but it's still a distraction.

Aug 01, 2016 12:18 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Nicole - While I agree with you about the use of animals in MLS photos being a generally bad idea, I have noticed recently how many home photos in Architectural Digest contain dogs - and sometimes cats. However, those photos serve a different purpose and audience, and the animals are all posed, rather than just randomly showing up.

Jul 30, 2016 07:45 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert

Yes, those types of marketing photos are very directed to a specific audience. 

Aug 01, 2016 12:19 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Nicole at least this picture seems to make a little more sense then some of the past ones.

Jul 30, 2016 09:04 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert

This one isn't nearly as bad as others.

Aug 01, 2016 12:19 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

That actually is a good photo.  And even I could have made the pooch vanish with some cutting and pasting of grass from other spots to put over him.  

Jul 30, 2016 09:30 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert

Photoshop would have removed our furry friend very easily.

Aug 01, 2016 12:20 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Nicole -- you're right as far as other photos you have found in the multiple listing service, this isn't that bad but it's still serves as a good reminder -- not bad shouldn't be the goal in making that crucial first impression.  

Jul 31, 2016 02:46 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert

"Not bad" should never be the goal. We should always strive for excellent!

Aug 01, 2016 12:20 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Nicole, although he's super cute you're right, it is distracting from the yard itself. This one would have been an easy fix to either crop or just paste grass over him. Shame on this agent. 

Jul 31, 2016 11:29 PM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert

Not only could he have cropped out but photoshopped out as well. 

Aug 01, 2016 12:21 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Nicole, I DO think both look inviting! At least this Pug gets to have some outdoor space to call his own as opposed to some of the sad sacks you've shared with us in the past. (People who should NEVER have a dog). 

This one's proud to show off his space and well he should be!

Aug 01, 2016 01:27 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I'm curious... how many active listings in your MLS?  I see maybe one or two photos with an animal a year.  No idea how you have SO many.

Aug 01, 2016 03:04 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good Morning Nicole - I was thinking the same thing when I looked at that picture.  It could have been photoshopped or cropped out.

Aug 05, 2016 01:42 AM