This is intended to be somewhat humorous, as the following quotes will show.
But the issue at the heart of this fun is not. Selling a home where there are pets is a challenge, as most agents will attest. It’s hard on the pet lovers, the pets, AND the buyers. Some pets are particularly difficult (I hate the snakes most).
- There are the issues of what to do with Fido (or multiple Fidos, especially the ones that bite) in the event of showings
- as well as the smells and sights that Fido creates (trying to skirt the doggie doo in an otherwise pristine backyard is NOT fun, and a major turn-off to many buyers, especially those who are NOT themselves pet lovers - I had one buyer tell me that if they got doo doo on their shoes they were taking it with them into the house!).
I’m not leaving out the cats here, as the kitty litter box can cause all sorts of reactions from buyers, and allergies sometimes cause others. Cats just don’t seem to have the propensity to come running toward you aggressively, or to jump on you, or even bite. At least I haven’t yet had that problem.
Dealing with the pets in an appropriate way is important so that buyers are not impeded in their quest to tour a home.
Many sellers are great about this, some are a bit lax, and others clearly let Fido rule the roost, and whatever Fido says goes. Not good for home selling.
Warning folks about the presence of pets, IMO, should be mandatory. Many agents do, but some don’t. And sometimes what the agent says and what the reality is are very different - not good, especially when you are not expecting a dog and the second you open the door a snarling rottwheiler greets you. Doesn't bode well for the house tour.
And the way in which pets are memorialized in agent remarks on the MLS can, at times, be pretty humorous.
Here is a recent sampling from a couple of Carlsbad home MLS searches (these are direct quotes, BTW):
- Killer Chihuahua's must be put away or will bite - well, I can believe that. I am personally not a fan of these testy little canines, and they seem to be the most dedicated to guarding their territory, and the noisiest little buggers I have met
- Friendly dog needs to be put in garage – guess that’s good but maybe TOO friendly?
- *PLEASE DO NOT LET CAT OUT *** 2 cocker spaniels on premises that may bark, but are friendly...Can be let out in back yard if you want – sorry that’s not my job
- 24 hour notice appreciated so dog can be removed – wow, it takes that long?
- tiny dogs on premises – remember those chihuahuas? Are they going to be there when I step through the door?
- Friendly dogs in the garage – HOW friendly are they really?
- DO NOT GO INTO THE REAR YARD - Family dog is in the backyard! – great, so you only want me to tour your home inside?
- Please call owner before showing so she can remove 1 of 2 friendly dogs – hmm, the one must not be so friendly after all
- It may lick you a lot but is friendly - great, just what I want, doggie tongue all over me
- Please DO NOT PET DOG – good to know. But what happens even if I don’t, will it bite? Or are you telling me I can't pet him if I want?
- Please give 2 hours notice to secure dogs (will be w/ owner or in dog run) - or WITH the owner IN the dog run?
- Make sure front door is closed to contain Luna, the feline princess – well, as a cat lover and owner I can tell you that the cat IS in charge, no matter what you think. And cats always seem to know when a buyer is NOT a cat lover, and they immediately decide to make that buyer their best friend. Not good.
There was another comment that I did not, at the time, copy, and I couldn’t find it again. But the remarks on a Carlsbad home that was priced somewhere in the $1.5 million range warned us to NOT pet ____ as “he will pee on your shoes.” Great, so I am trying to show a million dollar home and have to worry about getting peed on. I think not.
Being a pet owner and selling a home is tough. I know as I have been there. And it’s hard to deal with these issues in a manner that does not offend buyers or prevent them from seeing the home, as well as being sensitive to the homeowners and their pets at the same time. Knowing what you might face is helpful as an agent bringing in buyers, so these issues are important for agents and their clients to discuss.
The other issue which can arise is through no fault of the home seller but the neighbor.
Loud, incessantly barking dogs next door can be the kiss of death for your home sale.
If there is a way to deal with this, please do, as it's in your best interest. But sometimes there is nothing that can be done. Can't tell you how many buyers I have had who simply said - forget it, I won't listen to that noise.
But there are times when it is clear the dog is in charge, and perhaps doesn’t REALLY want to sell the house after all.
;)
Links;)
Archives
Cool, I'm your first comment! I have had all of these types of experiences and couldn't agree more. Especially in this market sellers need to do EVERYTHING they can to make every showing a great one. I guess that's why we will never move again...5 Bengal cats might create a problem:)