Should you let your pup star in your listing pics?

You’re scrolling through property listings on Zango and you come across a photo of a pooch among the pics. He’s a golden retriever, lazing on the large back deck of the home.

Are you going to stop scrolling? Yes.

Are you going to zoom in for a closer look and say ‘awwwwww’? Absolutely.

Will you spend longer looking at that listing than the one before or after it? More than likely.

That’s because you probably own a dog – 40 per cent of Australian households do – but even if you don’t, a picture of a pooch stops most people in their tracks.

From a marketing point of view, including your dogs in your photos makes total sense, says sales agent Sam McGregor. It could, in fact, give you a competitive edge.

“You’re helping potential buyers picture their own pet playing in the backyard,” Sam says.

“Or you’re giving them something to aspire to if they’ve always wanted a dog.”

While dogs are common in stand-alone homes in the suburbs, if you’re selling in a dog-friendly apartment complex or have great amenities for pups near your home, you should always highlight that in a listing.

“It’s a big part of decision-making for the owners of dogs,” Sam says.

“The same way we highlight amenities for children, like playgrounds and schools, families want their fur babies to be happy too.”

Check out the pups proudly showing off the family home in these current listings:

8 Maurice Place, Garran

18 Fairfield Street, Crace

1 Shearsby Crescent, Yass