Fido is Ruining your Sale

Many pets are irresistible and there is nothing cuter than an English Bulldog or even a Siamese cat. However many homeowners that live with dogs, cats or other animals, do not understand the affect they can have on their home selling. Unfortunately this post is not about one incident but many, many ones I have encountered in Real Estate.

During one showing, a homeowner did not think it was wise to put her skunks (yes, plural) in their respective cages. The villa had a gated patio, we proceed to open the patio door & walk up to the front door. One of her skunks starts approaching us in a menacing manner. My client runs back and gets into the car before I could even react. I grab my cell phone & start calling the Seller. She comes out very nonchalant & grabs the skunk. We later find out the skunk’s glands have been removed & all her skunks are harmless pets. My buyer so was freaked out the entire tour & that he could not focus on the property. So her poor judgement possibly cost her the sale.

Other times, people are just so used to the cat hair or doggie stench, that they feel insulted if we point it out. Some are insulted when you ask that the aggressive pet or non-stop chattering pets away during showings. Sellers then alienate the Buyers that do not enjoy Fido’s aroma, the site of Snowball’s litter box or the constant squawking of their feathered friend.

I have also had to walk over poop (yes, I mean poop) in many homes of all price ranges. It is never a good sign for a Buyer, when I have to ask them to watch their step. If a Seller is not a good housekeeper with their pets, Buyers start imagining that the home has not received good maintenance either. It is all about Buyer perception!

During a Broker’s Open of a million dollar plus home, I skipped lunch. This Realtor thought it was okay to host lunch, with a dog that cried & howled loudly while caged in a corner of a very smelly dining room. In fact from the moment I opened the door, the smell overpowered the entire home. Out of professional courtesy I finished touring the home & even completed a questionnaire. But I literally ran out & skipped lunch that day altogether.

As much as we love our pets, it is shame to allow them to ruin our largest financial investment. The worst is when Realtors do not have the nerve to speak up. I have learned my lesson and will always be honest with Sellers. The truth is not always easy, but necessary.

As a side-note, if you are interested in adding a pet to your family, please adopt at the Humane Society & get information on the type of pets that suit your lifestyle. When I see unruly pets it is usually the owner not the animal at fault.