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Three dogs and the Ship of Fools

Three dogs and the Ship of Fools. And how was YOUR day showing homes today?

I had hoped to have 3 homes to show my clients today. A beautiful fall day in New Milford, CT, it was a perfect day for house hunting. Just before leaving my house to meet up with them I got a call confirming my showing for the third home from the home owner. Yes, of course it was fine to come and see the house. Her dog would be in the house loose, and he "should" be fine. He is only possessive of people, not the house. I opted to skip that showing. The agent called me back on the second house, the tenants left the door open, but there would be an older German Shepherd in the house, loose. He is a bit blind, senile and barks a lot. If we are uncomfortable going in, perhaps we could look in the windows??? The first house on the list was holding an open house, so that was a no brainer at least.

We got to the second house, there were two dogs in the house and they went crazy while we were peeking in the windows. NO WAY were we going to walk inside. But my clients are very interested, and we have a showing set for tomorrow, the tenants have promised to remove the dogs when we are there.

When I spoke with the listing agent to confirm the showing for tomorrow and ask a few questions, I did explain that we already have a "deal breaker" if we get to the table. The pirate ship in the front yard needs to stay.... There was a pause, silence at the other end of the line. Pirate ship? What pirate ship? Why the Ship of Fools sitting in the front yard, larger than the house! I asked him when the last time was he actually saw the listing, and he said he drove by today but never noticed it.

OK, tell me, would you notice this if it was in the front yard of one of your listings???? I'm just sayin...

Pirate Ship

And as a side note, although the "Ship of Fools" just might clinch the deal, all these loose dogs in the homes are preventing anyone from even getting to the deal table! As much as I love dogs, I will not walk into a home with dogs running loose in the house. If you want to get the house sold, take the dogs out for showings! I have been known to do it myself for my clients if they are unable to, dog permitting. So unless you have access to a pirate ship, TAKE THE DOGS OUT! And to think, I thought the 6 llamas I had to find homes for were the strangest deal breaker going!

Happy Holidays from New Milford, Connecticut

New Milford CT Bandstand at Christmas

Andrea Swiedler, Realtor®

Prudential Adams & Associates, REALTORS
337 Danbury Road, New Milford, CT 06776
Cell: 203.460.1775 Email: andrea@andreaswiedler.com

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Posted by Andrea Swiedler on 11/07/2009 05:10 PM

Comments (42)

Dogs and Ships as Deal Breakers in the ActiveRain Channel

ship of fools, deal breakers, dogs

Originally posted at: New Milford CT Real Estate Happenings: Three dogs and the Ship of Fools

This post has been included in Connecticut Information Litchfield County, CT Information New Milford, CT Information
Post is included in group: "Whacked"!!!
Post is included in group: Square Pegs
Post is included in group: Pet Friendly Real Estate
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42 Comments on Three dogs and the Ship of Fools

NOV

So your clients want a pirate ship. Never came across that one!

It is good to know that I am not the only one who won't show homes with dogs running around in them. I have seen this countless times in our area. Do the owners ever stop to think that are people in this world who don't like dogs and would prefer to think that there was never a dog living in the home that they are about to buy?

You're blog has an alternative title: Chain of Fools!

WOW -- what a bunch of hoops to jump through to get a 3 hour house tour completed. And the agent didn't SEE the ship!?!? Great read Andrea!

Mike, I would want this one, LOL. It makes quite the statement, LOL.

Mark, I have no idea what people are thinking. The liability alone is mind boggling. I like my fingers and toes the way they are. It is a shame, prevented many a deal as far as I am concerned.

Carla, I like that, LOL. Yes, for real, the agent didn't see the ship. And it is HUGE. I doubt it was built in a day either, LOL. Thank you.

There are People Who Don't Like Dogs... Well they must be un-human

Andrea, ah, yes. Your family calls him Fido. Your Realtor® calls him Fang!

Hi Jane, refer to Pat Kennedy's comment, LOL. I love dogs, just not dog bites!

Pat, LOL, that is it exactly. Plus as we were walking around the pirate ship we hit landmines...

Andre, AHOY MATIE ...... you will think defiantly when it starts to rain for 40 days and 40 nights........ LOL

OH and I am with you, I don't do houses with doggies running around either :)

Andrea - I have seen a tepee pretty close to that size, but never a pirate ship. Just when you think you have seen it all...

I agree with you on the dogs being left in the house and this is just beyond ridiculous. "Her dog would be in the house loose, and he "should" be fine. WHAT?!

So your clients actually wanted that pirate ship? They sound like me! I'd like to have a pirate ship like that, too.

Andrea, The dogs. That can sometimes kill a deal. I had two dogs (that were supposed to be removed by the neighbor) almost bite off the head of a two year old. Your post is a good heads up to those with dogs (cats, birds, reptiles), keep them caged, or they may be the ones hurt by a lawsuit!

The pirate ship...maybe the agent was texting while driving! HA!

Oh Andrea, what a day you had!! Talk about obstacles.....love the ship! Would never enter a house with a doggie if Owners aren't home, you just never know!

Ahoy Matey to you too George! That ship has more holes than my head, LOL. But it sure is cool. I am doggie wise don't you know!

Judy, isn't that amazing? On both counts, LOL. I was scratching my head too.

Russel, I am thinking it would be one cool thing to have in the yard, LOL. Complete with the "Ship of Fools" sign over the cabin door. You can go in the cabin, it is bigger than the bedroom in the house I think, LOL.

Jane, first, this agent wouldn't know how to text, I used to work with him, LOL. His technology is limited if his kids or wife aren't around. Good guy though, LOL. And yes, keep the animals out of the way!

Hi Al & Peggy, you just never know for sure about those doggies. I once had a cat bite me, LOL. And hard too, was amazing. Now I never pet any kitties either. They are just too scared when we are showing the home. I love that ship too!

Andrea...

As I read this, I thought that it could not possible be as bizarre as the title.

I was wrong. Featured in the Group "Whacked!!!"

Richard, aw shucks, why thank you! Isn't that just one bizarre day? In my mind the best part of the day was the second talk with the agent... "what pirate ship" he says... and he drove by there today! That to me was the icing on the bizarre cake.

I have a story about the first house we saw, am saving that for another post.... :D

Andrea..What a horrid day you had..I agree with you about the dogs..but how could the listing agent have missed the pirate ship???

HelpfulHannah

Andrea - I sort of like that Pirate Ship! Is it considered "real" property, or personal property. I once sold a house that had a decorative lighthouse in the front yard. When we got ready to close escrow, a BIG hullaboo broke out when the Seller "attempted" to put the lighthouse on the back of a flatbed truck and take it to his new home. It ended up staying. . .and I ended up with a small commissionectomy. . .It's amazing what can happen when you try to keep the peace. Most would have thought it real property - BUT there was electrical wiring to it, and it then became seen as a fixture:-(

Thanks for the laugh, one thing about our business is it's never BORING! Randomness - did you know that you can change the language on your Facebook page to Pirate via the Languages link at the bottom of the page? Try it for some chuckles, it's a hoot! Arggggggggghhhhh!

That agent did NOT drive by THAT house and not SEE that SHIP. Now way. I too love my puppies, but I agree pets should not play any part of a showing. Take them out, dogs, cats, birds, snakes, take them out.

Andrea I won't go in with a loose dog, why should I but my client in harms way. This is certainly a problem a listing agent should have a solution to. A lack of a solution will also lead to a no sale.

NOV

Hannah, how anyone could miss that ship is beyond me, LOL. But miss it he did.

Myrl, a commisionectomy over a lighthouse huh? That sucks. This thing is huge, and of course it must belong to the tenants that live there, unless it has always been there and somehow the agent missed it. But it doesn't look like it just got put up. What do I know....There is an extension cord running to this, LOL.

Janna, now that is a thought, LOL. I should try that! Thanks for the tip!

Tammy, I am on the same page as you are, LOL. On both counts!

Jennifer, there has to be a solution to the problem. I make sure with my listings it is covered. :(

Hi Andrea-It is amazing what happens and what you see in the life of a realtor isn't it. Interesting story. Hope you are doing well. Have a super Sunday. <SMILE>

Sharon, yes, interesting to say the least! It is never boring, every day is different. Hope you are doing well and have a wonderful Sunday yourself. Thank you!

Andrea, just when you think you've seen it all you run into a property with a ship in the front yard! What a day you had!! I sure hope you can put your buyer into that unusual property!! Good luck!

Caren, we are going back this morning and should be able to get in. We shall see how they like things once they get inside, it needs a bit of TLC. Thank you!

Andrea

Was the house as old as the pirate ship? As well, I have sailed the Atlantic coast line, I didn't know the tide rose that high!

Hi Andrea ~ Too much! A dog bit me while showing an apartment years ago - never again. And the boat - my goodness! Kinda of a fun boat though - the next door neighbor had a huge boat in my front yard that didn't get moved until the day of the closing - seems boats are very hard to get rid of - but there would be takers for that ship I think.

Liz

NOV

Hey Andrea did you check out my helicopter?? LOL How the heck did a ship get there? And the agent didn't even notice.... HAHAHAHAHHAHA

Ty, LOL, I have no idea how the pirate ship got there! :X And even if I did know, my lips are sealed matey!

Liz, oh, a dog bite is a terrible thing. Never again is right! Glad you got the boat moved in time! Unfortunately it is gone now... pirates took it away in the middle of the night :(

Deb, on my way to do so now! I have no idea, pirates brought it, and took it away. Nope, he never noticed it, can you imagine? You can trust me when I say, from the bottom of my heart, he will NEVER live that down!

NOV

Andrea - First thing I thought when I read this is how could anybody miss a pirate ship in the front yard? And my second thought was "is Andrea at the right house?"

Sorry to hear the ship has sailed....perhaps the dogs went with it! :)

Coleen, believe me, I was just as confused! Yes, the ship sailed, and it was a sad thing.

Andrea - I bet that Listing Agent is the front and center at the water cooler complaining about how he/she doesn't have any business !

Go Figure

Laura, isn't it amazing? Good thing I got the picture of it.

Andrea you really have all the fun, aggressive dogs, land mines, pirate ships so much more entertaining than what we have over in our area. I envy you!

Wow they didn't notice the ship but I bet they would have noticed the tiny chip in the tub mentioned on the repair request.

shelton

NOV

Release the Hounds !!!

I too have that snarling face during a showing, at least they had "fenced" in the kitchen....Yeah right.. He was a smaller dog but with a tight lip curl and showing off his grin...

Needless to say the client and I did not stay long and it was not on the top three list.

On another note, I often take my dog with me to certain open houses. Only when the home is located in a somewhat rural area and it is large acerage....(long winding driveway....no close neighbours.

It is a blessing to me as he always hears someone coming far before me, and the fact that he is a lab, by the time they arrive at the door...he is the official meeter and greeter...a big love bug but with a great sense of others character...
Only once did it prove to be a problem.
Family of four arrives and the little girl is terrified of dogs..apparently a large dog lunged at her in the park recently..poor thing.
I immeditately put Bruno in the truck and all went very well...
Having my Bruno there at the remote locations gives me confidence and I know that I am safe.
Julie Hegyi
Sutton Grp-West Coast Realty
Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada.
goingcoasta@dccnet.com

Andrea,

That was a great read. I guess it's easy to believe that the agent didn't see the ship after all just believing that the clients is hard enough!

That sounds like a one of a kind day.

NOV

Ed, I am trying to figure out if you are taunting me or not, LOL.

Allen, LOL, ain't that the truth!

Julie, I can understand why you would want to do that. I sell in a rural area, and believe me, I have thought about that at a few open houses. Good idea!

Hi there Connective Realty, (you should have your name there too!) I don't know, I think the agent really should have seen the ship, LOL.

Norma, it was an interesting day!

Andrea - This is actually pretty funny the way you told it ... the reality of the situation is not funny at all ... and sadly too much of this of taking place all over the country.

Not only no I not understand how he didn't see the ship, I don't understand why some people would have trouble understanding why loose big dogs could present a problem when showing a house.

BTW, if you need a home for the pirate ship, I have a real nice yard we can put it on. If it doesn't leak, we can even put it in the river. What do you think?

NOV

And you mean someone other than the sellers actually want that thing? Amazing.

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