HELP YOUR SELER SELL THEIR HOME…A BUYERS POINT OF VIEW.
As an agent that works exclusively with buyers I get to hear and see a lot of things from the buyers point of view. I decided a few weeks ago after looking at a home with a couple of first time home buyers that it was time to help out my fellow listing agents in an attempt to help them with their sellers.
Today’s market has brought on a number of stresses to the real estate agents of yesterday. A strong buyers market has caused sellers to become rather grouchy and hard to sooth. We all have our clients best interests in mind, but how do we get them to listen? How do we keep everyone safe?
My first issue…NO PETS!!!
I’m going to tell you the story that has brought me to write this. As I mentioned before I was looking at a home with some first time home buyers when I had this idea. They were a younger couple looking for their first home and expecting their first child in December, we were looking at homes for the second time and this was the first home of the day.
Like any other showing I had taken steps to set up the appointment, with the owner in this case, and we were right on schedule. With my clients behind me I retrieved the key from the lock box and started to unlock the door ( note that I always knock before I try the key ). Needless to say I was very surprised by the big, black, cold nose that met me as I tried to open the door. Thinking of my clients, I immediately shut the door and let my clients know that there was an animal in the home ( this was not a small dog!).
At this time I called the owner again, thinking that maybe he had forgotten to put up his dog. Here is how the conversation went…
Me “Hello, I called to set up a showing for your home, however, the dog seems to be out?”
Owner “oh, ya, he’s fine, there are some dog treats on the kitchen counter. Just give him one and he’ll love you forever.”
Me “oh!! Ok…thank you.”
My next question was, how far from the door are the doggie treats? I don’t know this dog and he doesn’t know me. I’m going in to his home with people he doesn’t know. What did I do. I opened the door, let him check me out and gave him a treat…he wouldn’t leave my side and my buyers were able to look at the home in peace.
If it had no been for the fact that I love dogs and have had many years of experience in handling them personally and professionally I would have left the home and told the owner that we would look at it when the dog was removed or secured.
Never allow your sellers to let their pets roam free during showing…ever. Why? Do they want to get sued for someone getting hurt? Do you want them to ask you why you didn’t tell them this after someone gets bitten? Do you want to be the one to tell them the cat ran off? The dog bit someone’s kid? (I’ve seen this happen.)
Even the nicest dog in the world will bite unexpectedly. It is never a good idea to let these animals roam the home while strangers are in it. It is not the responsibility of the showing agent and their clients to keep the cat in or to give the dog a treat. This is not ok.
If you have a seller that has pets it is your job as their agent to tell them the proper protocol for preparing their pets for the sell of their home. You’re their counselor and you need to protect your clients best interest, and that includes pet management.
If they say, “well fluffy doesn’t like being in a kennel.” or “he’s the nicest dog in the world, he’ll be fine.” Tell them NO! Tell them that they run the risk of being sued or losing their pet. If they love their pets they’ll protect them properly. If you’re looking out for your client, you’ll make sure they do the right thing.
Maybe explain to them that some people have allergies and their home will show much better without the distraction of the pet in the home. Do what you have to, but do not let them allow their pets to roam free when strangers are going to be in their home. Most owners know this as common since, some don’t.
If you’re seller still won’t put their pet up then explain to them that their home may miss out on showings because of it. I will never show another home that has a free range pet in it. I puts my buyer at risk and it is not my job to watch someone else’s pet.
The fact is that if your client really loves their pet and they really want to sell their home, they’ll protect their pets and do the right thing. It’s your job to educate them and stand out by helping your client in a good way.
NOTE: If they still won’t listen? Make them sign a disclosure stating that you have educated them on the risk of leaving their pets in the home and you are not liable for any injuries or lost/stolen pets. Cover your self!!!
Thank you and good luck,
Dejah Kindley
Exclusive Buyers Agent
MikeDavisHomes of Remax Concepts
