It was early in on my career and was doing an open house for a fellow realtor's listing. It was about 30 minutes into the event when I looked across the room and saw a cat sitting ever so comfortably on the couch. I got up to go say hello to him when he bolted into the bedroom. The other agent didnt tell me anything about a cat and here I had all the doors propped open, he could have so easily escaped.
I immediately ran to every door and shut them ensuring that our fine feline friend could not get out and I wouldnt be responsible for losing someones pet. As folks arrived for the open house I made sure to let everyone know to be careful not to let the cat out as they went through the home.
The open house ended. I locked up and was off.
About 3 days later I get a call from my realtor friend who allowed me to do an open house at her listing. We exchanged pleasentires and then she asked me... "Do you know anything about a cat in my client's home?" I said, "Why yes, I saw a cat at the open house and I'm surprised you didn't tell me about him." She then says "Oh my gosh, my clients came home from their travels last night to the smell of cat feces and urine and then found the neighbors cat hiding under their bed! He had been locked in the house for days with no food or water and had ripped apart the curtains and deficated everywhere!"
It was at that moment I relized that the cat had just come for the open house and didnt live there. Just a lookie-loo! I explained what had happened and offered to compensate them for rug cleaning and some new curtains. I ended up forcing them to take $300 for cleaning and curtains. What a mess.
I had learned a valuable real estate lesson. Cat's don't buy houses so don't be fooled when they want to come to your open house.
Neil Walton
360dwellings Real Estate
2001 Lincoln St #1821
Denver CO 80202
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