Real Estate Blog - Don't Move the Dog Crate!

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Don't Move the Dog Crate!

How many of you have struggled with clients about their pet paraphenalia? It's not difficult to put away the toy basket, clear the floor of pigs ears, bones and catnip mice. The real problem comes with the dog crates (usually LARGE) and the litterbox. Oversized dog beds and cat jungle-gyms and ferrett runs are not desirable focal points in a room either. These things are a reality in a home, so how do you deal with them?

In an ideal world, there would be an accommodating neighbor, friend, or family member who would house the pet and equipment until the house had a contract. During an open house, everything might be stowed in the car and the homeowner would drive off until it is over. For the remaining time that the house is on the market, what can be done?

It is difficult to stage around these things. Decorative screens, plants, and furniture placement can only do so much. Small rooms may have few alternatives. I ran across this dog crate end table recently, and although not an inexpensive solution, it could be the answer for some homeowners and it can be used in the new home. Less expensive models may be available, too. This one is available from Alsto online.

. Pet Crate End Table

OK, so what do you do with a ferret run?

Posted by Pam Faulkner-Faulkner House Redesign Stager-Northern VA-Fairfax & Loudoun Co on 04/20/2008 01:53 PM

Comments (29)

staging, pets, focal points, open houses, clients, ferrets

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29 Comments on Don't Move the Dog Crate!

APR

2008

Hi Pam,

Nice post! Cool illustrative picture to a somewhat tricky staging situation. My not quite two year old would probably want to hide out in there with the puppy. I'm always chasing him and his older brother out of corners, from under the table and behind the bed.

Cool table Pam. Thanks for sharing the website. I'm going to bookmark this for future reference. Ferret run??? haven't come across one of those, but there's always the ever present litterbox....ugh and I'm a cat lover.

Thanks, I think it's a great alternative to the plastic molded crates and certainly the wire ones. Never thought about the kids being attracted to the hideaway, but you have a point. Hmm, would that be a bad time out place? Just kidding!

I wouldn't have realized it was a crate without the dog in there. I like it!

Ginger, I saw my first ferret run many years ago when looking for our home here in Virginia. My Realtor and I walked into a room that was filled with flexible tubes like dryer hoses. She freaked, thinking it was a snake in there because you could hear it. It was two ferrets chasing each other. Hilarious! I have seen similar things since in staging and frankly, I'm stumped.

Lorrie,thanks, I thought it wasn't too bad either. As stagers we may be missing some opportunities. We should develop furnishings that address these problems. Oops! Just gave away a business idea! HA!

Pam, This is really cool. I have to share this with a few clients. Thank you.

Hi Pam,

Great post. I've had animals all my life and I never thought about anything animal related that might also double as furniture. I love the idea!

Hope all is well.

That is a great ideas for people living with pets. I have seen similar for cat boxes as well -- (With more enclosed sides)... However, pets need to be OUT for staging and showing the home!

Pam- I like this idea. I remember seeing something like this on TV. Thanks for sharing the website info.

Mana, let us know if any of your clients order one of these. I will be interested in anyone's feedback.

Bill, I have had dogs in pairs for years and never used crates or kennels, but many people do. I'm surprised that these haven't been advertised more often. It seems like an ideal solution for so many homes.

Julianna, yes, pets should be out of the house but we all know that doesn't always happen. Just did a home recently with two huge dogs. One was in the laundry room and the other in a kennel in the living room. I felt so sorry for both of them. They didn't bother me but I am sure that the upheaval was stressful for them.

Barbara, I haven't seen this advertised but I haven't watched much TV lately. I'll have to see what else is out there and will report back. Stay tuned!

What an attractive solution! Thanks for sharing.

Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging

JUN

2008

I wanted to update the information on the pictured dog crate/end table. It is no longer available from that site but there are other places where it can be found. Lots of other styles are available too.

If your clients have more contemporary tastes this style may be a better choice:

Contemporary dog crate end table Den Haus Dog Crate

These could be used in a bedroom as a night stand as well as an end table.

Large dog crate table The crate could be turned so that opening is disguised, making it look more like a regular end table.

JUN

2008

Pam, love the dog furniture - actually its dog and human furniture or is it dog bed human table. anyhow totally cool and its about time dogs had elegant abodes... ferret runs hmmm- maybe outside far from the maddening crowds?

Jennifer, these are cool, aren't they? The price is a little steep but if you consider how much regular crates cost and the fact that you are getting a multi-use piece of furniture it isn't as bad. I can think of a number of ways to use it besides a dog crate.

The ferret run thing I have only seen one other time and it didn't take up a whole room. I don't know that much about ferrets but I know that some people are totally freaked out by them. I think they are kind of cute.

JUN

2008

This is new to me, I love them!! I have my house for sale and it is exhausting picking up all the beds, bowls and toys when the house is being shown!!

Very cleaver and stylish for the pooch!

Patrice, glad I could provide something new and of interest. If you decide to get one of these come back and let us know how it works out.

Kristina, stylish for the pet, yes, but isn't it great for the homeowner?

Kim, you're welcome. Some new information to give to your pet owning clients.

JUN

2008

Love these as solutions. People are not likely to give up their pets in this market when it takes longer to sell everything. Chris needs to see this. Oh CHRIS...

Great idea. With an 87 billion dollar pet market we can't ignore that pets are an important part of our clients lives and should suggest thing to accomodate them! Kym

Terrylynn, it is a challenge for most homeowners to sell when they have pets. The stress they feel is picked up by their animals and that can cause unusual behavior-wetting, scratching and chewing, being withdrawn or being aggressive toward strangers. Making pets safe and feeling secure will also help to eliminate these problems and consequently, make the homeowners less stressed. I can't imagine giving up a pet just to sell a house. I can see relocating a pet to a close family member, who the pet knows, for a short period of time-but only in extreme circumstances.

When the pet is in the reptile or rodent category,that's another story. People have very strong feelings about these and it might be necessary to house these somewhere else for the duration. I don't see why they would have to be given away though. Tht seems extreme, don't you think?

There are too many pets that are given up for adoption or surrendered because it seemed like too much work and stress when the owners move. If we can help prevent that then we have potentially saved another pet's life and prevented the owner's remorse and guilt.

Pam- What an interesting idea! WOW....that is amazing! It is a wonderful solution for homeowners to use as an upscale alternative to the wire crates. Thanks for sharing! Regards-Kathleen

Kathleen, you're welcome! I don't know how much wire crates or the molded plastic ones cost but these aren;t that bad considering that you get two items in one and save space. Someone mentioned that their child would enjoy it-LOL!

JUN

2008

Pam, I don't know how I missed this one. I've got this bookmarked. These crates are fabulous looking!

Cynthia, thanks. One more reason to look through all of the catalogs I get. I never know what I might find that I didn't know existed.

I recently had a client with four litter boxes throughout her 2000 square foot home. The two cats had more bathrooms that the humans! Best yet, one of the litter boxes was in the master suite in perfect view. It was a touchy subject, but we narrowed her down to one litterbox in the basement of the home.

Angela, I'll bet you had to do a lot of convincing if they felt that it was necessary to have that many. I've never heard of anything like it. There isn't a great place for them but enclosures like this would help.

MAR

does anyone know where i could find this? i clicked on the link and the link works but is their search engine i couldn't find it.... its a great idea and great for staging homes

MAR

Elaine,

There are several companies that carry versions of these crates. Try ImprovementsCatalog.com or Google "pet crate end table" and quite a few sources will turn up. Happy Shopping!

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