HOW OUR FURRY FRIENDS ARE HELPING BOOST THE PROPERTY MARKET
In the competitive world of real estate, it’s not just about curb appeal anymore — pets are becoming the latest secret weapon in attracting buyers.
Real estate agents are increasingly turning to 'staging pets' to make property listings more relatable and engaging, research by Money.com.au revealed
Whether it’s a playful puppy lounging by the fireplace or a sleek cat sunbathing on the windowsill, these furry stars are helping buyers envision a home that’s perfect for their own four-legged companions.
Canberra real estate agent Catherine Halloran uses her French bulldog, Rollo, for her property staging.
“Showing pets in real estate photos is a good way to break down barriers between sellers and buyers. I’ve had so many buyers look at whether a house will suit their pets before they even check whether their fridge fits,” she said.
With nearly 70% of Australian households owning a pet, the demand for pet-friendly living continues to grow.
Analysis by Money.com.au found 3,428 properties — nearly 2% of all national listings — were available for sale under the 'pet-friendly' filter on realestate.com.au.
Of those, 1,345 are in Queensland (3% of the state’s total listings), 1,139 are in New South Wales (two per cent), and 509 are in Victoria (two per cent).
The analysis also found 5,375 properties — 3% of all national listings — available for sale under the 'pet-friendly' filter on Domain. Of those, 5,378 are in New South Wales (3% of the state’s total), 1,570 are in Victoria (nearly three per cent, and 1,104 are in Queensland (four per cent).
Lucy Yang recently bought a four-bedroom home in Richardson, ACT, with plenty of space for her three dogs, Drax, Hulk, and Cheeky, and her cat, Sassy.
She said seeing pets in real estate photos was particularly appealing when she was house hunting.
“Having a picture where there was a dog on the couch or a cat sitting in the sun by the back door made it that much easier for us to imagine ourselves and our pets living there. It showed us that pets had previously lived in and thrived in the comfort of that home,” she said.
“It wasn't the case where we didn't consider other listings, but knowing a backyard was already ‘dog-proofed’ meant it was one less thing we had to be concerned about during the stressful process of moving.”
ALX Creative Media Real Estate Photographer Alexandra Wetzel said real estate marketing was shifting away from selling a property to selling a lifestyle.
“Staging pets in real estate photos has become fairly common over the last few years. However, it ultimately depends on the agent and vendor's personal preferences,” she said.
“Pets are a big part of our lifestyle. The idea is to draw buyers in by creating an emotional connection — who doesn’t love a cute puppy? Properties with larger yards, often suited to families with young kids and a family dog, tend to feature pets.”
“For rural properties, having pets, animals, or livestock in the shots is a must, as they are an essential part of the lifestyle. It also helps to showcase property features, like equestrian facilities, where showing horses and people riding makes the photos and videos more engaging.”
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