Out on a long bike ride over the weekend, I was riding on one of Carlsbad side streets a block from the ocean and saw a sign that immediately conjured up thoughts of some recent homes for sale I had seen.

BEWARE OF DOG

NO SOLICITING 

These were plastered on the mail box, obviously in hopes of keep away folks trying to sell stuff, and letting them know, honestly or perhaps it was a lie, that there was a dog in residence who perhaps did not take kindly to visitors, especially of the sales ilk. The message was loud and clear - you are not welcome. 

There are, unfortunately, sellers who seem to put up these same roadblocks to selling their homes, discouraging agents and their buyers who might wish to make a purchase by: 

•·        lousy curb appeal

•·        unreasonable showing schedules

•·        lots of obvious deferred maintenance

•·        mounds of clutter

•·        front door keys that don't work

•·        other signs that say, loudly, "Stay Away."

Pets, especially dogs, provide another source of disruption and make it difficult to show homes to interested buyers, the worst situation being a lack of forewarning that one or more canine sentries is lying in wait for unsuspecting agents and their clients to trespass. The dog, of course doesn't know, or care, that you may want to buy the home. They are simply taking their job seriously - keeping interlopers away by whatever means possible. 

Or maybe, like some sellers, they do not want to sell and are simply using every means at their disposal to discourage a sale. 

Fortunately, some sellers are pretty good about putting their canine guards elsewhere, but using the garage, a bedroom, or the backyard still makes showings difficult. Knowing in advance that Fido is there, from the MLS listing warning, is always appreciated, but some descriptions (cute but not friendly; barks a lot and may bite; do NOT go into backyard) do not inspire excitement about seeing the home and set up yet another barrier to those of us soliciting a sale. Perhaps a BEWARE OF DOG sign at the door as well is not so ill-advised.

I have yet to have my legs connect with Fido's teeth, nor have any clients, but I know folks who have had the misfortune to incur the wrath of the homeowners's pooch who was more than just a bit cranky about their entry into the home. 

Some sellers don't want to sell but have no choice, I understand that. 

The ones that I don't get are those homeowner's who, presumably, DO wish to sell, but have figurative "Beware of dog" and "No Soliciting" signs everywhere. (photo courtesy of Allison Gurney on Flickr).

I always encourage buyers to try and look beyond all this stuff, if they can, and they like the home and the area. The maintenance issues, of course, are NOT to be ignored, but cosmetics and clutter are, well, fixable. Not being able to see a room, the yard, or the garage because of Fido IS a problem.  Some just say forget it. Bad news for sellers.

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits