Do Or Don’t – Pets In Your Photos?

The Need to Stand Out as a Realtor

As a Realtor, your goal is to stand out from the competition while ensuring your listings attract the right buyers. Creative marketing can be a fantastic way to showcase properties and generate interest, but some ideas, no matter how unique, can backfire.

One trend I’ve seen is Realtors incorporating pets in listing photos to make homes feel more inviting or relatable. While this might seem like a cute and creative idea, I strongly advise against it. Here’s why.

Why Pets in Listing Photos Can Be a Mistake

Having a dog lounging on the couch or a cat curled up on a bed may create a warm and cozy atmosphere—but that’s not always a good thing when it comes to real estate resale. Selling a home is about appealing to the widest range of potential buyers, and pets in listing photos can do the opposite.

1. Not Every Buyer Loves Pets

While many people adore animals, you have to consider the buyer’s perspective. Some potential buyers:
🐾 Are not pet lovers and prefer a home without any trace of animals.
🐾 Have allergies and may immediately feel uncomfortable about a house that has had pets.
🐾 Worry about hidden pet damage, odors, or cleanliness issues.

Even if you keep your home spotless, the simple presence of a pet in the photos can make some buyers hesitant.

2. It Creates an Unnecessary Distraction

A well-staged home should help buyers envision themselves living in the space. A pet in the photos shifts focus away from the property and makes it about the animal instead. Instead of admiring the spacious living room or the elegant hardwood floors, buyers might be thinking:

• “I wonder if the carpets smell like dogs.”
• “Are there pet stains that aren’t visible in the photos?”
• “I don’t want a house that’s been lived in by cats.”

Your listing photos should highlight the home’s best features, not introduce questions or concerns.

3. It Limits the Home’s Marketability

Real estate photos should appeal to the widest audience possible. By including pets, you risk turning off a large segment of potential buyers. Even those who do love pets may not necessarily want to see them in a listing photo because:

• They have different pet preferences (a dog lover may not like cats, and vice versa).
• They have their own vision of how they want their new home to look.
• They might assume that having pets in the house means there could be lingering odors or damage.

Better Ways to Make a Listing Feel Warm and Inviting

Instead of using pets in listing photos, here are some alternative ways to create an inviting, homey feel:

• Staging with Cozy Elements – Use soft textures like throw blankets, accent pillows, and stylish rugs to make the space feel warm.
• Good Lighting – Bright, natural light makes a home look fresh, open, and welcoming.
• Use Greenery – Plants and fresh flowers add life to a space without being controversial.
• Showcase Lifestyle Features – Highlight cozy spaces like a reading nook, a spa-like bathroom, or a well-styled dining area to help buyers picture themselves living there.

Think Like a Buyer, Not Just a Seller

While it’s always great to be creative in real estate marketing, some ideas can do more harm than good. When it comes to listing photos, focus on what will appeal to the majority of buyers. A clean, neutral, and well-staged home will always perform better than one with unnecessary distractions—even if that distraction is an adorable pet.

So before you try to push the boundaries of creativity, ask yourself: Will this help sell the home, or could it turn buyers away? Because in real estate, making the right impression from the first glance is everything.