Who let the dogs out? This is not only the lyrics to a well-known song of the same title but it is also a legitimate question. A few days ago, I listed a home in which my clients had spent the last two weeks preparing to go live (active on the market). This single mom of four young children repaired the soffits and gutters around her home, finished all the painting, replaced the majority of the baseboard, door and window moldings, and packed every toy and spare thread of clothing that was not needed in the next week and placed it in storage. She scrubbed, shined, made beds, organized and dusted. It was finally ready for showings.

The very first day, as expected, we had several interested parties. Unfortunately, however, the potential buyers who loved everything about the home and were ready to make an offer sauntered outside to the fully landscaped backyard to the sound of five incessant and unrelenting yapping dogs. They left without further thought of submitting an offer.

Before turning me into PETA, hold onto your hat and let me explain my position here. Now I love dogs probably as much or more than the next person. I have two dogs of my own. In fact, I even have one that is an annoying, yapping ankle biter with a Napoleon complex. I love this little gasbag with much of my little girl heart. The other is a very sweet, very furry, definitely entitled, all-white husky with blue eyes who only sheds four times a year … for three months each time. Yes, I love her as well.

As a side note, I haven’t always been a certified “dog lover.” My family did not have dogs as I was growing up. We had nine children, and I guess my mom felt like that was enough. As a result, I really didn’t see the usefulness in pet ownership as I embarked upon my adult life. When my youngest daughter, however, was going on 7 years old and refused to sleep in her own bed at night, I bribed her with a dog. It worked. Since that time, I found that “my” dog (she erroneously argues that it is “hers”) has taught me how to be loyal, forgive easily, be curious, greet everyone happily and love unconditionally. Not bad characteristics to learn.

In other words, I get it. I would never be the one to call “the authorities” on the people who have more dogs than the local ordinances allow. After all, I know the alternative for these dogs and it is not something I am OK with. So I will keep my mouth shut, with the exception of walking next door and politely asking them to keep the dogs inside when we have showings, in which she happily agreed. Unfortunately, this did not work for our most viable buyer.

As much as it is difficult to understand, not everyone is a dog lover. When selling a home, it is good to remember that. While a few months ago we had the luxury of choosing not to work with a buyer who does not adore these lovable tail-waggers, as there were plenty of other offers from which to pick, this is no longer the case. We must now vacuum the floors, do the dishes and pick up the underwear off the floor. It will also benefit a seller to remove the proverbial footprint (or paw print as it were) from the home’s surface. Rather than leaving the dog in the crate to bark at everyone who tours the home, other arrangements will likely need to be made. The poop should be scooped and the scratches and chew marks on the treat cupboard should be repaired.

This is a stressful and difficult time for pets as well. While I am no dog whisperer, I have noted that our pets often mirror our emotions. When they sense stress, they too feel stressed. One dog, for example, on a past listing of mine, decided to dig a hole in the middle of the master bedroom carpet the day before closing. This was not a little hole. We immediately disclosed the event and were able to locate a carpet layer who came out that evening (for a few extra bucks) and saved the deal. If only we could have had that same good fortune the next day with the garage door, as this same seller backed into it on his way out, with a blue-eyed, white husky in tow.

Jen Fischer is an associate broker and Realtor. She can be reached at 801-645-2134 or jen@jen-fischer.com.

Newsletter