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Animals of the MLS

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Zion Realty

It would take a person being blind to miss this weeks featured pet on Animals of the MLS. I'm not sure whether to pet this massive mutt or saddle up and ride him. All kidding aside, I bet he's a gentle giant as Great Danes tend to be. This breed of canine is known for it's pleasant disposition towards other animals and they also handle children with care. It's no surprise to me that he didn't get out of the way to accommodate for this agent's photo shoot. If I was that big, once I found a relaxed and comfortable spot to lay down, I probably wouldn't move either. It takes a lot of effort to shift that much weight. 

This is also a classic example of why it's important, as homeowners, to kennel or remove your dogs to allow potential buyers to view your property. Although Great Danes have a reputation as calm creatures, not everyone will feel at ease around such a big animal. Great Danes also have a booming bark. If this household companion was home when buyers came knocking, in his excitement he could easily and accidentally scare away a qualified buyer with his vocal prowess. Especially if the would-be home shoppers have little children in tow with them. The adults may be able to handle this domesticated dog but frightened kids may just convince their parents to move on from the property without even getting a good look. 

As for the picture itself I personally feel as if the agent posted this photo on purpose and for a good reason. I come to that conclusion because I've actually done this myself on occasion when the situation warranted full disclosure of an animal at the residence. Usually these types of pictures posted to the MLS are a sign of an unprofessional or inexperienced service being provided to the sellers. However, I fully believe the agent uploaded this picture as a warning to any other agents or buyers who may have attempted to view this property without getting proper approval from either the listing agent or homeowners. On very rare occasions providing visual evidence of a rather intimidating animal can be beneficial in the long run to avoid any misunderstandings or complaints that individuals were not properly warned before entering the premises. 

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(24)

Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Featured in the group:  BARTENDER, MAKE IT A DOUBLE.

Apr 02, 2016 03:00 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Nicole -- I agree this photo is a warning.  Depending on market conditions and timing, it also might be an incentive to work on expired listings.   

Apr 02, 2016 03:08 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Nicole,

Definitely is important to let people know that this gentle giant lives here,  A

Apr 02, 2016 04:10 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Nicole - Good one this week. We had a seller last year that had a great Dane - a real sweetie who helped me take pictures, but was very cooperative about staying out of the frame.

Apr 02, 2016 04:27 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Nicole if the picture to serve as some kind of disclosure, I guess I would understand.  But for any other reason I do not understand how an Agent would think a picture like this would help to sell a house.

Apr 02, 2016 04:41 AM
Mark Loewenberg
KW of the Palm Beaches - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
KW 561-214-0370

that is certainly full disclosure of having an animal in the house, and is that the little sibling of the real big dog!

Apr 02, 2016 05:11 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Nicole= you also get a great shot of the kitchen trash can, someone leaning on the counter and the big water bottle. 

Apr 02, 2016 08:52 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Beautiful puppy, but clearly not a listing photo. LOL  We have a fawn colored great dane and well, he would not just lay there and let a random stranger take his photo.

Apr 02, 2016 12:19 PM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Raymond - I bet he could. Who would stop him?

Grant - He was definitely ready for his close up.

Kathleen - I totally agree. I sold a house last year with 2 Great Danes and I did the same thing this agent did.

Chris Ann - I could be wrong, but I really think it was done on purpose.

Michael - I send out my mailers every month to the expireds. 

Alexandra - If this were my listing I would have done it too, however, my picture would have been a little more visually pleasing. 

Dick - They are sweet dogs. Very lovable. 

George - If it was uploaded as a part of the overall marketing then it was a mistake for sure. 

Mark - It very well may be!

Kathy - Yes indeed you do. It's still not a good picture overall.

Tammy - Great Danes are leaners. They love to lean up against people.

Apr 03, 2016 07:09 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Nicole, that is a big boy. My last dog was a 185 Rottweiler. I can't imagine the horror on a clients face when he would walk in and see that beast standing there. I have seen lots of salespeople back right off of the 13 steps to my front door without even looking back when the big boy was at the door when I opened it. 

Apr 03, 2016 07:33 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Nicole, Great Danes are beautiful and even tempered, better to take him for a walk or ride during showings or kennel. Best practices ever! p.s. That means cats too.

Apr 03, 2016 09:42 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

The head is HUGE.  Yes anyone would be wise to be sure appointments are made and confirmed.  Mark

Apr 03, 2016 11:42 AM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good morning Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert . Really? This picture was in MLS?

Apr 03, 2016 06:11 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Nicole.  Oh my.  That is such a big dog.  His tongue weights more than my dog.

Apr 03, 2016 08:26 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Yes, that picture may have been placed there on purpose. I'd definitely make an appointment!

Apr 03, 2016 09:08 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

WTF is for sale here, the dog?  What a hideous MLS photo, truly hideous!

Apr 03, 2016 11:02 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sorry, I don't see this photo as a benefit for ANY reason. It's only purpose for me is to imagine dog smell and dog hair and dog drool EVERYWHERE in that home.

Apr 04, 2016 02:35 AM
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Hi Nicole-that dog was featured in the listing? Why would the agent do that? I am so confused.

Apr 04, 2016 02:51 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Nicole, I really LOVE this series of yours. I honestly scratched my head at the reasoning, but you spell it out quite nicely. That is a big ole baby, I can assure you. Size doesn't equate aggressiveness as you and I both know! It's the quick ankle biters that pose more of a problem than this brindle beauty. My granny who was all of 4'11" always had Great Danes, and she RULED. I just wish that they lived longer. 

Apr 05, 2016 05:51 AM
Lisa Friedman
Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT
35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

This home is just as comfortable for pets as it is for humans. I think that may have been the message.

Apr 25, 2016 04:06 PM