Today I showed condos in Naperville and North Aurora. One condo in Naperville had a lot going for it. It’s a few minutes off the Hwy. 59 exit on I-88. It’s in a quiet location. The layout is nice. In fact, I recognized it as exactly the same condo as one I showed in Lindenhurst that some other buyers fell in love with.
I was told when I scheduled the showing that there would be a friendly dog named, Grace, loose in the home and that there would be dog treats just inside the door. Typically, owners have their dogs in a cage during showings, but this sounded like an ok situation.
When we arrived, the dog treats were by the door and I took one anticipating that Grace would be running up to us. Instead, I heard her barking from upstairs. When we walked upstairs I saw her lying on a blanket and started to walk into the room she was in. Then she started to growl – not a good sign. Even with offering her the treat, she wouldn’t stop growling. She never left the blanket, but needless to say, both the buyer and I were uncomfortable. The left buyer unimpressed. It’s hard to focus on a home’s features when you hear constant barking and growling.
Grace may be a very friendly dog when her owners are around, but she clearly wasn’t happy with our presence without them. Pets are a part of the family, but not properly contained when a home is being shown, they can severely curtail your chances of a successful sale.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fran Bailey shows, previews and tracks downtown Chicago homes for sale giving her the insights needed to help her clients negotiate the best price and terms. Fran has been quoted in numerous Chicago and national publications. To schedule showings of listings regardless of broker or to contact Fran email her at fran.bailey@bairdwarner.com or call 773.793.4516. Learn More
Fran Bailey, Realtor
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
When we lived in South Dakota we rented a house that was for sale while we (and our large and friendly yellow lab) occupied it. We both worked and the dog had the run of the house. We always knew when someone had been there because he or she would always leave a business card. I came home from work one afternoon to find my laundry strewn all the way from our bedroom to the front door… like a welcoming path for guests. There were 6 or 7 business cards on the table. I’m not sure what they all thought of the laundry.