What Realtors Want to Say to Home Sellers - Don't Ask Me to Protect Your Cat Or Dog

All of us who live with cats and dogs wish to protect them - to keep them safe and happy.

But expecting our real estate agents to protect pets during showings and open houses is unrealistic.

Many are the horror stories of agents arriving at homes, opening the door, and seeing the cat or dog shoot out between their feet. Then the showing is disrupted while the agent, and sometimes the prospective buyers, try to recapture the critter and get it back into the house. From there the showing is all downhill, especially if they're unable to find the lost pet.

This is not only unfair to the agents and the prospective buyers, it's dangerous for the pets. My cat or dog would not come to a stranger - would yours?

Instead, pets need to be contained in ways that prevent accidents. Sellers need to think ahead and make provisions.

You also need to think ahead if you have a mean pet. I once had a listing with an "Attack cat" who shredded my ankle when I had to keep him from going after the people looking at the home. If you have such an animal, put him in a cage before buyers come to look! A "Beware of Cat" sign on the door isn't enough.

In areas where showings are frequent and appointments aren't required for homes with lock boxes, homeowners need to find their own ways to keep those pets safe whenever the humans are away from home. This might be kennel cages or containment in a locked room. Large dogs can be left in an outdoor kennel or a securely fenced yard with a locked gate, as long as they have shelter and a source of water.

I know - the pets won't like it. But being unhappy for a few hours is far better than being lost, or run over by a car. Selling a home means a bit of inconvenience for everyone in the family - even the pets.

When showing appointments are the norm, it's a bit easier. Pets will need to be contained only when you know that there will be strangers in your home.

When an open house is scheduled, it's vital to prepare ahead for the safety of your pets, because that door could be opening and closing many times. At least you hope it will! And if you get a good turnout, there's no way your real estate agent can keep an eye on the door to make sure no one escapes.

Putting Fluffy or Fido in a bathroom or laundry room with a "Do not open" sign on the door won't do it either. For one thing, people viewing your home with an eye toward purchase want to see every room. Secondly, a sign saying "Do not open" is almost like a challenge. At least some visitors will be compelled to open that door!

So plan ahead. Spend a few dollars on kennel cages or take your pets with you when you leave during showings.

Your agent is there to sell your home, and he or she cannot do that properly while worrying about keeping your dog or cat from running out the door.

Marte Cliff is a Freelance Copywriter who specializes in writing for real estate and related industries. She'll help you with one letter, or an entire marketing plan. For Real Estate agents and brokers who are ready to get full value from their websites, she'll be happy to put together an entire package - from the web copy to the lead generation packages that make an agent's phone ring. For busy agents on a budget, Marte offers pre-written letter sets for use in postal mail or in e-mail continuity campaigns. The current selection includes letters for FSBO's, Expired Listings, Short Sale sellers, First Time Buyers, and a set for new agents to send to buyers. Read what's included in these sets by visiting http://www.copybymarte.com/pro/prospecting.html

Marte's weekly ezine for real estate professionals offers tips and hints for building a successful business. To subscribe, and to see other resources available for real estate sales professionals, visit her at http://www.copybymarte.com