Lew Sichelman
Some people rescue dogs from the pound. Anna Kruchten rescued hers from a real estate transaction.
The Phoenix broker had sold a client’s house to someone who also wanted the seller’s dog. The seller agreed. After all, everything is negotiable in real estate. Everything!
Somewhere along the line, though, the buyer changed his mind, and the seller couldn’t take the pooch with him. So Kruchten stepped in to save the day.
“He’s been the best commission ever,” she posted in a recent ActiveRain discussion. “Been seven years now, and little Barney is the sweetest pup.”
Sometimes, though, sellers simply leave their animals behind, forcing the buyer to deal with them after the fact. In more than one instance, Mike Cooper, a broker in Winchester, Virginia, has had sellers leave a cat or two for their buyers.
“Fortunately,” he reported, “in each case the buyers were good sports” and still have the felines five years later.
In other cases, the deal can fall through. Or almost. Debb Janes of ViewHomes in Camas, Washington, once had a seller who demanded the buyer adopt his cat because he was moving overseas. But the buyer balked.
A friend of the seller ultimately agreed to take the cat, Janes reported, and the sale proceeded.
Even when sellers take their pets with them, the odors left behind can be tough to deal with. Indeed, animal smells turn off most would-be buyers.
Pet owners tend to be immune to their pets’ smells because they have been living with them for so long. But there’s an old adage in real estate: “If it smells, it won’t sell.”
In most cases, people allow their animals the run of the house. And sometimes, dogs and cats mark their territories with, well, you know, leaving behind pungent odors and unsightly stains. Sharon Sigman of RE/MAX in Leawood, Kansas, says that if your place has suffered pet damage, it may be devalued in the marketplace.
“The only cure is taking action to eliminate the problem before your home goes on the market,” she warns.
A Checklist for Pet Owners
To that end, here’s Sigman’s checklist for pet owners.
Pet odors come mostly from fur and dander, so don’t allow cats or dogs to sleep on couches, chairs, beds or carpet, even if you’ve permitted it in the past. Instead, provide them with beds of their own. But make sure to remove the beds – and your pets – during showings. There’s no need to advertise that you have animals.
Keep your beasts bathed and groomed so they don’t add anything more to the existing aroma.
Get to work removing troublesome stains. There are numerous products available; seek advice from your local pet or hardware store. Hospital supply companies are also good sources for heavy-duty stain removal and odor control products. If nothing you try does the trick, call in a professional cleaning service.
Vacuum daily with a carpet deodorizer, and do the same just before showings, if you have enough warning. Change your vacuum’s bags (if applicable) more frequently than usual. Also, pull back the drapes and open the windows for some fresh air; a closed-up home tends to hold more odors.
This one is worth saying again: Remove your animals during showings. If buyers spot a pet, they’ll be on the lookout for stains and odors, whereas if they don’t, they’ll view the home more objectively.
It may be necessary to board your animals. But if that’s the only way to keep them from soiling your freshly cleaned – or replaced – carpets, then do so. Put food bowls and litter boxes out of sight, too.
In some markets, stains and odors that can’t be removed must be disclosed to would-be purchasers. If you don’t, you could be liable.
If you aren’t sure about the damage your pet has caused, rent or purchase a black light to shine on your floors. The results could be surprising, and will help you decide whether to clean or replace the carpet.
If you are unable or unwilling to replace damaged carpet or flooring, offer to return a certain amount of money to the buyer at closing to cover the cost. But since buyers tend to exaggerate the cost of repairs, come prepared with a couple of estimates from professionals.
Pet Owners Want Key Features
Remember, if your home doesn’t pass the sniff – or stain – test, it will adversely affect the way agents and buyers perceive your home. Some agents insist on showing only pristine houses. If word gets around that your place stinks, there will likely be fewer showings and a decline in your home’s value.
On the flip side, pet ownership increased during the pandemic, pushing pet-friendly properties and communities to the forefront for many would-be buyers. According to design firm Mary Cook Assoc., features like dog-washing stations are now highly sought.
According to the National Association of Realtors, 43 percent of pet owners would consider moving to accommodate their animals, and 29 percent of likely first-time buyers picked neighborhoods with their pets in mind – prioritizing outdoor space and proximity to a veterinarian.
Pet owners want fenced yards, reports NAR Economist Jessica Lautz, and are likely to take flooring types into account, with a preference for easy-to-clean hardwoods. Some even want mud rooms or cat litter closets.
Lew Sichelman has been covering real estate for more than 50 years. He is a regular contributor to numerous shelter magazines and housing and housing-finance industry publications. Readers can contact him at lsichelman@aol.com.
