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Buyers are interested in purchasing your house, not your pets

I just showed a beautiful property to prospective buyers. As soon as the listing agent opened the door the smell of dog was unbearable. I am an experienced agent, and even I could not concentrate on the beautiful details of the home due to the horrible smell.

I love pets and I understand they are a part of the family. However, buyers are interested in your home and the same should be staged and ready to attract any buyer. Not all buyers are pet lovers and even if they are, they should imagine themselves in that house with their pets, not yours.

It is a very good idea to leave your pets with a neighbor, a family member or take them for a walk while your home is previewed. You should make sure there is no trace of your pet, and please don't forget to put away their water and food trays, the buyers are concentrated on other details and may even trip over them.

The focus right now is on selling your house, once that is accomplished you can continue living your normal life with your family, and the adorable and loved family pet.

Posted by Yoana Pelaez, P.A. on 08/29/2008 12:47 PM

Comments (13)

Advice to Home Sellers in the Home Selling Channel

showings, previewing a property, pets and home sales, real estate advise, family pet

Originally posted at: Yoana's Blog: Buyers are interested in purchasing your house, not your pets

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13 Comments on Buyers are interested in purchasing your house, not your pets

AUG

2008

A bad smell greeting buyers at the door is a deal breaker for sure. Pets in the home can trigger doubt as to the overall maintenance of the home. It can also be a big problem for people with allergies. I've left jobs with dog hair all over my socks because I removed my shoes to protect their floors. I've had cat hair all over my pants from moving a sofa. A seller with pets must take the extra steps to keep the house clean and hair/smell free.

Bad smell hitting you as soon as you get in the door!!!!!!!!!

Run, don't walk, away That kind of smell takes a while to build up so you have no idea of what the rest of the house is like.

Sharon- I agree with you 100%, sometimes I'm even afraid to sit on a sofa. My husband has allergies and I'm afraid to bring cat and dog's hair home in my clothes.

Virginia- That's exactly what I felt like doing "running", the problem is my buyer was interested in the square footage of this home and the location. I actually think she did a better job at taking the smell than I did. Still, it was a very bad first impression.

AUG

2008

If you can smell it, you can't sell it!

I've noticed that even "outside" dogs can be a problem. They jump all over the sliding glass door, leaving muddy footprints. They tear up the back yard, leaving it a muddy mess. My advice to clients is to get a temporary wire kennel, and keep the dog in it when the house is being shown (If they can't take the dog with them.) Homeowners also need to clean the sliders, patio, siding, outdoor furniture, and any other areas the dogs get muddy. I don't have a dog right now, so this must be a lot of work. But it has to be done if people want to sell their homes! I do like other people's dogs...but they can make a place dirty. Dirt doesn't sell. On a side note: I feel bad for dogs that are left alone all day. Doggie Day Care is the answer!

I just consulted with a seller that had a bird cage in the dining room and an iguana (with chirping crickets in a separate container) in a child's bedroom. While not the same issue as dogs, not every buyer is an animal lover. I advised them to move the pets to the basement when the house was being shown.

SEP

2008

Cathy, Peg and Linda-

I agree!!!!! The seller's in this case lost the opportunity to sell the home. This is even more important in a Buyer's market where there are so many homes to pick from.

SEP

2008

To say nothing of those people with pet allergies. OH my they are miserable. What a thought to leave your house with, misery and sneezing.

SEP

2008

Sharon,

This is so important. Sellers often don't even realize that their house smells like a kennel and even though it's not easy to tell them it has to be done.

If you don't have the guts to tell your clients the truth you shouldn't call yourself a full service agent.

Terrylynn- Everyone suffers the sellers, the buyers and the agents: The sellers for not giving a first good impression, the buyers having to put up with smells and allergies, and the agents wasting their time and efforts on a showing.

Susan- I agree with you totally, I tell it how it is, you are hiring a professional and you need to hear the professional opinion. They are hiring you to sell their homes and this requires a group effort !!!!

You bring up a great point - Pets can be a huge problem when trying to sell a home. I recently showed a home listed by another agent that turned out to be a showing nightmare due to the pets. The owner was present during the showing and her four dogs barked and jumped all over us the entire time. And then there were the parrots that thought that they should join in the madness and were shrieking back and forth constantly. My buyers could not get out of the home quickly enough!

SEP

2008

Amy,

I feel for you !!!!! What a nightmare... Like Susan said, Agents must advice their Sellers, this is what we get paid to do.

SEP

Hi all. Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity. I am from Republic and learning to read in English, give true I wrote the following sentence: "Cochlea circles are not found because of their hair to maintain growth caps to modern malignant spots under glands built-up in foods." Best regards :-(, Palben.

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