Sellers: Don't Let the Dogs Out on the Buyers!!

I will be the first one to admit that our pets are truly our furry children.  We love them so much, so of course we expect you to bristle when an agent tells you that your beloved furry family member needs to be removed for showings.  We have our reasons and I will list a few for you here:

1.  Yes, your pet LOVES LOVES LOVES people.  We get it....but the problem is that they love people when YOU are there.  Strangers are a completely different story.  As lovely as our pets are in front of us, we know that they can be scared or territorial with strangers in their home.  Case in point:  Very nice couple lists their home with me.....2 kitties....said kitties never had an issue with not using the litter box...until the open house and showings, with strangers in their home...they got even by peeing on the carpet and said kitties were given to a friend for safe keeping so that daddy didn't murder them!

2. Allergies...unfortunately, there are people that are highly allergic to pet dander.  So as much as they may love your home, they cannot get out of there fast enough when they see signs of your furry children.  Out of courtesy, I list in the showing instructions when there is or has been a cat or dog in the home.  It defuses the situation and allows us to make sure that we are not liable for someone having an asthma attack in your home.

3.  Safety of your pet.  I cringe when I see or hear showing instructions to "not let the cat get outside" or "friendly dog, won't bite!"  Yikes!  I don't want to be responsible for letting your pet be in danger by them escaping the house or that they may harm a child or adult that is not as fond of your animal as you are.

4.  The shedding.....oh my, the hair!  Case in point:  I visited a lovely home today, one in which had a dog, a dog that was kenneled for the showing.  The seller asked me to let the dog out after the showing.  I did, and although the dog behaved and did not jump on me, brushing against my black skirt left me with a furry skirt.  Lint roller , several sheets, were needed to clean that mess off me.  I was not amused. 

 

So remember that when selling your home, you only get one chance to make a first impression.  By letting your pet hang out in the house, you are greatly reducing the pool of buyers that want to see your home a second time.  The smell of a dog or a kitty box are not smells that are pleasant to someone that does not have pets of their own.  We want the most buyers to see your home and keep that in mind when we ask for you to remove your pets as much as possible.  I have been known to go and scoop up the cat into a carrier myself or take the dog for a short walk while the house is being shown.  Nothing worse than a kenneled dog that is whimpering or barking throughout the showing.

Call me for a free consultation and we will discuss ways to minimize the stress of selling your home on you AND your furry children!

Keep smiling!

Karen

 

photo courtesy of iStockphoto

Karen Feltman, REALTOR®, ABR, AHS, CHMS, CNE, CRS, e-Pro, green, GRI, SRES, TRC

Skogman Realty

411 First Avenue SE, Suite 500

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401

Office  319-366-6427

Mobile  319-521-0701

Fax   1-888-370-3108

www.KarenFeltman.com

Licensed in the State of Iowa

© 2011 by Karen Feltman, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Relocation Specialist