I love dogs. Sometimes when I go to inspect a property by myself I’m hoping a whole crew of them will swarm me and then give me the tour. I’m at the point now where I believe I’m a dog whisperer, and don’t have any fears of big, loud or aggressive dogs. However, not everyone shares my passion….and we, as dog lovers/owners, need to respect that. Not only that, but even for us dog fans it can make for a counter-productive experience.
If you’re selling your home and you have dogs, here are three important things you need to consider.
1. Some people are deathly afraid of them.
For dog owners this just seems unfathomable. However, I can tell you the fear is real. I once had a client (who was with both her parents), who upon entering the suite to find a Yorkie, cowered behind me as if we had just encountered a killer in a back-alley somewhere. I don’t even think it’s possible for the most terrorizing Yorkie on Earth to cause bodily harm, other than annoying your eardrums perhaps…or untying your shoe laces. Nonetheless it happens, and more often than you might think.
2. Some people love dogs and therefore get too distracted.
As I mentioned above, sometimes I secretly hope for a border collie to be on location. But in reality, I remind myself why I’m there in the first place…to inspect the home for my clients.
If there are prospective buyers viewing your home with a dog, there is a good chance the pup will follow you around (at least for a little while). If they’re a dog person they might be inclined to constantly pet the dog, talk to it, etc. This is taking away from the focus of the home, which is ultimately the goal when your house is on the market. You want people thinking how beautiful the kitchen was or how much curb appeal it had, not how much fun Fido was.
3. If the dog stays, consider a warning.
Personally, my biggest fear is that I will arrive to show a home without warning of a dog, and when I unlock the front door nonchalantly, Fido bolts out and makes a bee-line into the busy streets of Toronto. I really don’t want that on my conscience and can’t imagine having to break that news to the sellers….regardless of who was at fault.
You should know the temperament and tendencies of your dog. If they like to attack the front door when someone arrives (most do), it’s in your best interest to give prospective buyers and their Realtor a heads-up.
4. Pet smells… be objective and address.
Get an objective opinion if there are any questions around odor. You love your pet and may not notice a smell that is familiar to you…but others will. If this is an issue, clean carpets thoroughly and paint walls if necessary. This effort will reap huge rewards in the end.
Conclusion
Almost all of us have at least one crazy relative. You know, Uncle Bob, who is a great guy but makes the odd inappropriate comment now and then. We love Uncle Bob! That being said, you wouldn’t want him in your home with prospective buyers coming through. He’s liable to say something that could easily turn people off….even if he doesn’t mean to.
Ultimately, if you are strapped for options and must leave the dogs at home, please do so in a courteous way. But if you can make alternative arrangements, you will give your home a better chance of finding the ‘perfect’ buyer.