I'm in the doghouse with Mr VKH over my last post. It seems he does read it after all. Oops.
However, it might not be such a bad place to reside if the new property fad in the US is anything to go by.
'Pet placement' is the hottest trend in home staging according to an article I read a couple of weeks ago. Yes folks, vendors stateside are increasingly using pets, particularly dogs, in their property's brochure as an aid to selling not just the bricks and mortar but a lifestyle.
My immediate reaction was, 'only in America!' but as the idea is becoming popular in the UK, the more I thought about it I can kind of see where they're coming from. After all, property particulars are ultimately an advert and we use all sorts of tricks to tempt buyers in catalogues and magazines so why not do the same with our homes?
As I have mentioned before in my earlier post, 'The Case For Home Staging', I am constantly amazed at the state some vendors allow their homes to be photographed in. In this tough market, agents should be encouraging sellers to make their place stand out.
According to some, the inclusion of pets in the photos can add life to a brochure and helps prospective buyers envisage their own brood in a place.
But - beware! It is not enough just to leave Rover in the middle of the living room floor while the photographer goes about his business. Pet placement is all about the right pet in the right property. A labrador, for example, suggests a country house suitable for a family who enjoy outdoor pursuits while a boxer could attract a fitness fanatic to a bachelor pad. Pedigree cats, however, suggest a modern, minimalist pad for the perfectionist.
It might not work for everyone though. For some, the sight of pets in the property could be a potential deal-breaker: odours, stains and allergies are some of the words they conjure up. And, of course, for every person that loves dogs there are those who prefers cats (sensible people!).
If you're intending on selling an aspirational lifestyle as well as your house maybe a strategically placed pair of Louboutins or Hunter wellies would be a safer bet?
My immediate reaction was, 'only in America!' but as the idea is becoming popular in the UK, the more I thought about it I can kind of see where they're coming from. After all, property particulars are ultimately an advert and we use all sorts of tricks to tempt buyers in catalogues and magazines so why not do the same with our homes?
According to some, the inclusion of pets in the photos can add life to a brochure and helps prospective buyers envisage their own brood in a place.
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| Not quite the look Savills were going for! |
But - beware! It is not enough just to leave Rover in the middle of the living room floor while the photographer goes about his business. Pet placement is all about the right pet in the right property. A labrador, for example, suggests a country house suitable for a family who enjoy outdoor pursuits while a boxer could attract a fitness fanatic to a bachelor pad. Pedigree cats, however, suggest a modern, minimalist pad for the perfectionist.
If you're intending on selling an aspirational lifestyle as well as your house maybe a strategically placed pair of Louboutins or Hunter wellies would be a safer bet?