Special offer

Animals of the MLS

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Zion Realty

This week's edition of Animals of the MLS features two best friends ready to play. Relegated to the backyard for this photo shoot they are curious as to when they'll get to join in on the fun. One of our furry friends even has his favorite ball in his mouth eager for someone to come out and throw it for him! I can only imagine the energy created when these two are feeling feisty!

These are a larger breed of dog, which can be intimidating to many individuals who aren't a fan of dogs or pets in general. Even though most pet owners would swear their animals are well behaved, it's always best to completely remove pets from the premises if possible for showings or at the very least have them kenneled. There are still plenty of individuals who are afraid of dogs and might not even include your home on the list of possibilities if they know a dog is present.  

As for the picture of the living area itself, there aren't many redeeming qualities in which to speak. First off, it's grainy and blurry so it's difficult to even make out much detail. Secondly, there really isn't anything in the picture featuring the actual room since the dogs are front and center. The walls are bare and the decor that is present is all of one neutral color so there isn't any life in this space. Professional photos and the assistance of a home stager most definitely would have helped this home owner showcase their property much better. 

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(16)

OLIVIA BRADFORD
Buford, GA
Marketing & Admin Assistant - Virtual help

Ha, ha this is very funny! and you are just describing what NOT to do when taking pictures of your house.

I am shocked everytime I see this type of pictures in listings, they are not only bad as marketing tool to move a house for sale, it also kind of diminish the value of real estate agents and make us all look bad, unprofessional and cheap.

Great post, I really enjoy it.

Sep 24, 2016 01:37 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Good morning, Nicole -- the dogs may be a bit intimating but they are two of the more attractive features of this home.   Lights on yet window coverings drawn for the most part --- one of the oddest things I continue to see in photos as well as homes in person.   

Sep 24, 2016 01:45 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Nicole, I was showing a home last week and the owners had their two dogs in the laundry room, one in a crate, the other loose behind the baby gate.  Since the garage was on the other side of the laundry room and we didn't know for sure the nature of the loose dog, that meant no checking out of the garage for that home.  I love dogs as much as anyone, but they're a detriment to showing a home under even the best conditions.

Sep 24, 2016 03:11 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Nicole - I always wonder what picture you will find next. Is this a realtor taking this shot?  Hard to believe.  

Sep 24, 2016 03:29 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Nicole, Being the dog-lover that I am ... I would want to play with those precious animals.  It seems that some agents feel that taking a photo of a room is good enough. It simply does not do any justice to the marketing process. 

Sep 24, 2016 03:56 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Nicole - As usual with your picks for this series, the animals are more interesting than the room, which isn;t a very good way to sell a home.

Sep 24, 2016 04:47 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

It would be hard to say, "No," to those little pooch faces; but you're absolutely right, it's best to remove them from teh premises during showings.

Sep 24, 2016 11:50 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

I would take the dogs over that house ANY day!! Until you mentioned the ball, I couldn't make it out, but I DID notice that it's a St. Bernard or St. B mix. Love them, they're just big babies mostly! Your take on all of this is spot on. Does it take you much time to find these for your posts weekly?

Sep 26, 2016 01:43 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

While I haven't met a dog I was afraid of, I understand I have clients that are and don't risk liability ... EVER.  And that room is dreadful.  But like Gayle, I really want to snuggle with that fur kids.

Sep 26, 2016 01:35 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Now those look like big playful dogs, and you are right, they are center in that photo - I have no idea what the room looks like.

Sep 26, 2016 08:18 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I think the picture with dogs will garner extra attention Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert 

Sep 27, 2016 09:54 AM
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

Like Michael Jacobs said above, the dogs were the best feature of the photo. The interior color was just off, the blinds should have been opened to brighten the room. 

Oct 13, 2016 05:18 AM
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Photo bombed by two huge dogs ! It amazing how pets can sneak into your photos !

Oct 18, 2016 10:59 PM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Judging from the sliding glass door and the probability of them being also inside, this is a house that will require a discount to sell because of the smell.

Oct 25, 2016 08:32 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Why couldn't the agent use Photoshop and remove those dogs from the window. Or at least try the "blur" tool and blur them out. Makes about as much sense as the blurry photo. I would never put a pet in my photos, a girl in a bikini out by the pool, sure, but no pets.

Oct 25, 2016 11:31 AM
Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker
Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA
The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

Nicole,

The first thing I saw in the photo, before I even read your post, were the two dogs.  Taking good photos is so important when selling a house.  The photos also show how professional (or unprofessional) the particular agent is.

Brigita

Oct 25, 2016 10:08 PM