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Dogs and Showings Just Don't Mix: Comments Please!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes BR564219000

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.

Goat

(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.

Dogs and Showings

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.

Dogs and Showings

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.

Dogs and Showings Just Don't Mix
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...

Dogs and showings

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!

 

Posted by

If I can assist you in your home buying or selling in Marana, Tucson, Oro Valley, or Vail, please don't hesitate to call me!  Email at Cara@SWDeserthomes.com

Cara Marcelle Mancuso, Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes

520-909-2988   

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Comments (10)

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Well.  First, why would a home buyer take a dog on tour with them. 

Second, they make pens for dogs when the owners aren't at home.

Feb 21, 2015 02:26 AM
Daniel Seider
BTRE Big Trees Real Estate - Arnold, CA

I would never let a client bring a dog inside someone home. I have had many client bring their pets with them, but they stay in the car when we show homes. 

Feb 21, 2015 02:31 AM
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

Full disclosure: I'm a big time dog lover.  

That said, no one should bring a dog into a property for a showing without permission to do so.  Even if the dog is in the arms of the prospective buyer and never touches the floor.

I hate that the owner's dog has to be in the laundry room for some of the showings,but if that's the only way for the owner to accommodate, so be it.  Having photos of the laundry room on the door is a great idea.

The buyer who elected to ignore the photos and the warning the dog was in the laundry room is either stupid or is one of those people who like to cause drama.

The buyer's agent should have completely eaten dirt over the incident.

Feb 21, 2015 02:52 AM
Steve Kantor
BEST AGENT BUSINESS - Bethesda, MD
Best Agent Business - Virtual Assistance

Cara, good point. Just as bad for the sellers, the prospective buyers may not be dog lovers at all and don't want to buy a home that's had a dog in it. Best to remove any pets to avoid problems, or they could add a simple locking doorknob to the laundry room door so no one will mistakenly open it. Either way, I agree a buyer should never be allowed to bring a dog to a showing. The homeowners haven't given permission and they could be allergic.

Feb 21, 2015 03:28 AM
Cara Marcelle Mancuso
Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes - Tucson, AZ
Call a Marana neighbor, I'm THERE!

Lenn Harley ...I will ask them why they don't have a crate.

Daniel Seider ..I can see standing out on the lawn with the dog and taking turns.

Jill Murty, Realtor  - thanks for sharing.  I haven't shared this feedback with my seller yet and it's helpful to read the comments here.

Steve Kantor - Very true.  Almost always, there are tell-tale signs in a home that point to dog ownership.  Plus, we know have seller disclosure forms that ask very pertinent questions about dogs, cats, and pets.  I like your idea of locking the door.  I'll check to see if they can do that.

Feb 21, 2015 04:52 AM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Not a chance in H**l.  I am a dog lover and they have their place but not on a showing.  Keep the dog away, I wonder what the showing agent had in mind... Unbelievable 

Feb 21, 2015 07:56 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I have never heard of home buyers bring their dog on showings. I like some of the tips in the comments.

Feb 21, 2015 08:18 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Dogs don't belong at house tours, but we did have a buyer once bring their very large dog with them, who I thought they were going to leave in the car for a brief moment. Nope...all of a sudden she brings out the lease, a toy, a food bowl and water bowl. Yes, she did! We told her she could not bring him on the tour and that Larry would stay outside with him on the lease...She wasn't happy about it, but it was ridiculous that she thought it would be okay...

Feb 21, 2015 11:43 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

At the very least the buyers should ask the agent if it is O.K. to bring a dog. I don't see why the dog could not be left in the car for the showing. There is absolutely no excuse to bring it inside. And, actually, why did the agent allow it, especially since she knew there was another dog in there?

 

Feb 23, 2015 04:17 AM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

I've not faced many dog issues but I have turned down a listing opportunity when I realized the dog was going to be a potential liability. It's sad, but the dog was just a bit too on the wild side and I feared what could happen if/when the potential buyers showed up.

Feb 25, 2015 03:36 AM