Homes with Pets can Present Problems for REALTORS and BuyersReal Estate MarketingUpdated on Mar 29, 2012 View more like this | Visit KNOXVILLE, TN | Contact EXIT Realty Knoxville |
Homes with Pets can Present Problems for REALTORS and Buyers.
Laurel GrandleToday I showed a number of houses to some out of state buyers moving to TN. I wanted to put our beautiful state’s best foot forward, and I think I did that, but pet owners presented unique problems for me today.
In one home the dog was crammed into a much-too-small cage. It was terrified and clearly in distress…not a good impression for the buyers. They were so disturbed by the pet they didn’t really look at the home.
Another home had a very large bull dog caged and put on a table, at eye level, in a hall closet. When I opened the door to the closet, the dog was right in my face! We were so startled that we all involuntarily screamed! It was totally unnerving.
Cats had overly full and smelly litter boxes (we never did see the cats) and the bird was totally messy with seeds all over the floor and squawking the entire time we were in the house.
I get it…people have pets. I’d be embarrassed to recount the number and species of pets I’ve had over the years and, as a REALTOR, I don’t want to appear heartless when I suggest to owners that they get the pets out of the home while it’s on the market. That’s the best solution, but frequently not practical.
If the pet must stay in the home, let’s make it as attractive as possible.
I’ve shown houses where the dog was matted, covered in fleas and dirty. If you want to sell a house with pets, get the pets presentable. People will think you take care of the house if the pets are well cared for.
Clean (remove if possible) pets and litter boxes, if not possible, stage the pets! Make sure the pets are clean, healthy and in proper cages or confined in areas that are large enough for them so that they do not appear to be stressed or in jail. Buyers become upset if they think pets are not being treated well.
Dress the dog in a festive sweater or a colorful bandana. Match the attire to the season or house…the pet should smell good and look good and should have clean, matching bedding.
Put a sign up with the pet’s picture and name. Explain the barking, “We’re excited to show you our home!” “We’re in the laundry room” .
One owner left us doggy biscuits and instructions, “Throw Betsy a biscuit…she’ll can’t eat and bark at the same time!”. Betsy was the hit of the day…she was in a laundry room with plenty of room, we could see the laundry room without having to go into it and she got quiet as soon as she got her biscuit.
Laurel and electric carFarragut, Knoxville, TN properties for sale and real estate services. Laurel Grandle, Broker and your real estate expert for Knoxville, Farragut and Hardin Valley areas. You now have free access to Knoxville, TN’s ultimate real estate search engine! Google or call me today and let’s discuss how I can help you save $1000’s when you buy, invest or sell real estate. Exit Realty Knoxville (each office individually owned and operated). 865 690-4300 or—direct (865) 389-2551
Laurel GrandleToday I showed a number of houses to some out of state buyers moving to TN. I wanted to put our beautiful state’s best foot forward, and I think I did that, but pet owners presented unique problems for me today.
In one home the dog was crammed into a much-too-small cage. It was terrified and clearly in distress…not a good impression for the buyers. They were so disturbed by the pet they didn’t really look at the home.
Another home had a very large bull dog caged and put on a table, at eye level, in a hall closet. When I opened the door to the closet, the dog was right in my face! We were so startled that we all involuntarily screamed! It was totally unnerving.
Cats had overly full and smelly litter boxes (we never did see the cats) and the bird was totally messy with seeds all over the floor and squawking the entire time we were in the house.
I get it…people have pets. I’d be embarrassed to recount the number and species of pets I’ve had over the years and, as a REALTOR, I don’t want to appear heartless when I suggest to owners that they get the pets out of the home while it’s on the market. That’s the best solution, but frequently not practical.
If the pet must stay in the home, let’s make it as attractive as possible.
I’ve shown houses where the dog was matted, covered in fleas and dirty. If you want to sell a house with pets, get the pets presentable. People will think you take care of the house if the pets are well cared for.
Clean (remove if possible) pets and litter boxes, if not possible, stage the pets! Make sure the pets are clean, healthy and in proper cages or confined in areas that are large enough for them so that they do not appear to be stressed or in jail. Buyers become upset if they think pets are not being treated well.
Dress the dog in a festive sweater or a colorful bandana. Match the attire to the season or house…the pet should smell good and look good and should have clean, matching bedding.
Put a sign up with the pet’s picture and name. Explain the barking, “We’re excited to show you our home!” “We’re in the laundry room” .
One owner left us doggy biscuits and instructions, “Throw Betsy a biscuit…she’ll can’t eat and bark at the same time!”. Betsy was the hit of the day…she was in a laundry room with plenty of room, we could see the laundry room without having to go into it and she got quiet as soon as she got her biscuit.
Laurel and electric carFarragut, Knoxville, TN properties for sale and real estate services. Laurel Grandle, Broker and your real estate expert for Knoxville, Farragut and Hardin Valley areas. You now have free access to Knoxville, TN’s ultimate real estate search engine! Google or call me today and let’s discuss how I can help you save $1000’s when you buy, invest or sell real estate. Exit Realty Knoxville (each office individually owned and operated). 865 690-4300 or—direct (865) 389-2551
