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Is That a Doggie in the Window?

Pittsburgh is a dog lover’s city so selling a house in  Pittsburgh with a dog or two inside shouldn’t be a problem?  Should it???  Well . . .

Here’s the problem.  Some people just don’t like dogs.  They’re scared, even of the small yappy ones, or allergic, or just grossed out by the hairy fellows.  Others might love dogs.  Their dogs.  But they don’t find yours nearly as cute.  And the thought of buying a house smelling of your dog, with dog hair embedded in every corner, just isn’t a turn-on.  So what to do if you are selling a house with a dog or two in residence?

1) This goes without saying, but clean your house.  Make sure it can pass the sniff test.  Invite a sensitive friend over to sample the air and make sure that you are not the owner of one of those homes that “smells like dog.”

2) Hire a realtor, like me!, who is dog friendly.  That way when someone calls to see your home and you are busy at work or otherwise unavailable, she can come over, put Fido on a leash, and take him out for a special walk.  You don’t want to make showings difficult to schedule.  On the other hand, you do not want to have your dog inside while some stranger tours his home.  Even if your dog is the most mellow canine in the world, you never know what might set him off and without you there this is a recipe for disaster.  Crating the dog is not the answer (well, it may be the answer to training problems, but not for home showings) because those who are scared or turned off by dogs will be too distracted by the barking guy in the corner to appreciate the finer features of your home.

3) Remove all dog evidence for showings and Open Houses.  Even if your dog is not present, if evidence of dog is everywhere, your problem remains.  Move the dog beds, toys, etc. out of sight.  Place the giant dog food container in a closet.  Don’t forget the food and water bowls.  You are setting a stage for your potential buyer.  And the scene you want to portray is inviting, welcoming home.  Not menagerie.

4) Clean.  I know I said it already but run that vacuum one more time and take the lint brush to the couch.  It will be worth the extra effort.