A Realtor's best friend
Agents must win over seller's dog
By Inman News, Tuesday, March 31, 2009.Realtors showing up to make a listing presentation to Candy Spelling -- widow of famed television producer Aaron Spelling -- first had to pass muster with her dog.
Each agent hoping to land the job of marketing Spelling's $150 million Los Angeles mansion was first introduced to her Wheaten Terrier, Madison. If the dog didn't like the agent, "Spelling crossed them off the list," the Associated Press reports.
"Real estate agents, forget your listing presentations, no more presenting a comparative market analysis, no more innovative marketing ideas," blogs Rhona Sutter of The Pet Realty Network. "Simply carry Milkbone treats in your pockets and ... rub freshly barbecued chicken all over you from head to toe. You may not be welcomed at Barney’s in Beverly Hills, but prospective doggy clients will choose you immediately."
Coldwell Banker Previews International of Los Angeles is co-listing the property, AP said.
***
What's your opinion? Leave your comments below or send a letter to the editor.
All rights reserved. This content may not be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, in part or in whole, without written permission of Inman News. Use of this content without permission is a violation of federal copyright law.
You must login or register to post a comment.
Submitted by Doug Wolfe on March 31, 2009 - 6:11am.
Cute, but irrelevant story.
Doug Wolfe, GRI
Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc
Phoenix, MD
410-667-1900
www.dougwolfe.com
Member: Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.
Submitted by Jeannie G. on March 31, 2009 - 6:52am.
I completely disagree that this is irrelevant. This is a just a small example that separates the good sales person from the not-so-good. As a Real Estate Agent, you are a true sales person, and your ability to adapt to your clients personalities, traits, quirks etc gets you the job.
Submitted by Jillayne Schlicke on March 31, 2009 - 9:19am.
Whether or not it's irrelevant, it IS psychologically interesting.
Why would a person choose to let the dog make the decision?
Answer: This person is not doing that. Instead, she could be projecting her decision onto the dog so she doesn't have to take responsibility for making the decision, or doesn't have to feel like she's hurting anyone's feelings because "the dog did it."
This tells us a lot about our potential client.
Another way of looking at it is to figure out what her dog symbolizes to her. She's a widow; BIG CLUE. Maybe the dog is symbolic of her late husband, or maybe he had a certain kind of relationship with her husband.
All these things are important to pay attention to as a hired agent.
I wonder if she hires an attorney or a doctor using the same "dog" method? Probably not. Why? Because agents come INTO a person's private space. People lie to their doctor and lawyer. It's more difficult to lie to their agent because agents SEE the truth in their home.
It's like letting a person INTO a part of one's self.
Or, we could think of the dog as a guard dog. When the dog likes the agent, then she likes the agent. Sometimes a dog is just a dog. ;)
Submitted by Doug Wolfe on March 31, 2009 - 9:35pm.
Irrelevant, I think, to Inman's stated purpose of being the "real estate industry's leading source of breaking news and unbiased market analysis."
Although I have to admit, I am not sure what is less relevant, the dog story, or the seemingly endless articles and discussion of commissions.
Okay. I will be nice to the dog, but if fluffy hates cats and does not approve of "those" moving into the neighborhood does the SPCA have an equal housing squad?
And talk about stereotyping, "Milk bones and barbecue chicken???" Who says canines don't understand CMAs? This seems presumptuous of the Pet Realty Network, and they should issue a sincere retraction, or offer a coupon for one free flea treatment to anyone who suffered as a result, before the trial lawyers show up.
I am glad I studied this issue in more depth. I was so wrong. I must quickly trademark a new real estate designation before NAR finds out about this. The next real estate bubble?? Hmmmm
Doug Wolfe, GRI
Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc
Phoenix, MD
410-667-1900
www.dougwolfe.com
Member: Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.
Submitted by Bob Bemis on April 1, 2009 - 2:58pm.
Don't stop with just barbecue chicken and Milkbones. You wouldn't go to the neighbors for dinner without a bottle of wine. Toss in a few bottles of wholesome, nutritious, non-alcoholic beer made just for the pooches and you'll be the hit of the listing presentation parade. See www.bowserbeer.com for more details. Great house warming and post-closing gifts as well.