Dogs and Showings Just Don't Mix: Comments Please!
I have a listing that has been on the market before. We had the conversation regarding pricing, condition of home, and accessibility -- all factors that can affect whether or not a home gets showings and/or offers.
(not a dog)
One of the challenges my homeowners face is that they have a dog. A larger dog. Often, the owner can run home from work and remove the dog, or a teenager may be home from school and can as well. Weekends aren't a problem, with a little notice out they go.
For the rare times that the dog cannot be removed, comments are ALWAYS in our MLS system online, and the owner puts a note on the laundry room door saying dog inside, please don't open. There are photos of the laundry room and access to the garage from an outside door....so, for a first look....would-be buyers have to forego seeing the laundry room up close and personal.
I asked for feedback from the showings of the week, and this was one agents reply:
Beautiful listing. Shows well. [... ]Even though we were warned about the dog, and there was a sign on the laundry room door, one of my clients without thinking opened the door when I wasn't looking. This created quite a commotion because they had a small dog with them. I managed to corral the big dog and get it back in the laundry room. They should try to do something with the dog besides closing it in the laundry room when there are showings because this could have been disastrous.
Now, I appreciate the time this agent took, but I keep going back to the same thought, "Who would go house hunting with a dog?" Perhaps this seems harsh, but, WHAT IF THE DOG PEED or WORSE in someone's home? What if the homeowner happened to be deathly allergic to dogs? What if, what if, what if. And in the above example...what if there'd have been a dog fight or someone was bit...
What is your thought...do you allow your clients to bring their dogs into homes you are showing? Wouldn't it be better if someone kept the dog outside on a leash? Do homeowners selling their house have an obligation to remove their dogs from the premises?
I'd appreciate your comments!
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