First off, thank you in advance to any/all advice anyone can share. I just found this message board this evening, and its been very helpful/enjoyable so far!

My issue:
I am a first-time seller about to put my small condo on the market. So far, I really enjoy working with the real estate agent that will be listing my place. The one dilemma I have is with my dog and what to do with her when my condo is being shown during the week.

I have a 7 yr old small dog (5 lbs). During the week, I work and am rarely home before 7 pm. My commute is about an hour, so I am unable to stop off at home and pick my dog up before a realtor and client swings by.

I am leery of having a realtor show my condo on weekeday mornings/afternoons, when I am unable to stop off at home and pick up my dog beforehand. I may be one of those overprotective dog owners, but my biggest fear is having her sneak out the front door when a realtor comes by (she has done this once or twice when someone she doesn't know comes in). I've also tried using a crate/pen with my dog, but to no avail - my dog howls the ENTIRE time she is left in there, which will surely chase prospective buyers away. I don't have any family in the area that can watch my dog, and I can't really afford to board her at the vet each day while I try to sell my place.

I've spoken to my realtor about this issue, and have told her that it looks like my only recourse is to have my condo shown by appointment only. This would only be during weekdays - I can take my dog out of the condo each and every weekend for any showings/open houses.

My realtor isn't a fan of "appointment only" showings, and has told me that it will hurt my chances of selling. I completely understand her reasoning, but I don't know what other choice I have at this point.

Sorry for my long-winded post. I guess my two questions are: do "appointment only" showings significantly hurt my chances of ever selling? And is there any option anyone knows of that I have overlooked/not tried?

Thanks for taking the time to read, and thank you in advance for any advice.

Hey there, welcome to the board!

Yes, by setting your listing up as "appointment only" it will hurt your chances of selling. Many buyers and their agents don't want to waste their time trying to schedule themselves at your convenience just to show one property. Many of them will just move on to the next property. It all depends on how many other comparable properties there are in your area too.

Why don't you just have your agent list in the MLS remarks that there is a dog in the home and to not let him out? Many agents will read this before showing the property. If the remarks says there is a dog and to not let him out, most people will respect that by being careful when they open the front door. Maybe even write a small sign on the front door making people aware of the dog so they don't let him out. If that doesn't work well, put the dog in one of the bedrooms and close the door. Then put a sign on that door.

You have a very common issue that happens all the time. As a last resort, drug the dog so he sleeps all day.

You could offer a lower price to offset the dog issue.

Why don't you put your dog in a certain room and lock it. For about 10 dollars you can change the lock on a regular bedroom door to a keyed lock. This way knowone by mistake can open the door it will be locked to the room. You can let your dog stay in there. On that door have a note with a pic of the room on the door explaining the door is locked and a dog is in there.


Make sure it is not the master bedroom or a bath as everyone wants to see those.By letting the dog run free in the room it shouldn't howle.

Other than that you will have to attract them with a lower price to sell it. Some people are allergic to pets or don't like the smell so you already have a few strikes against you.

good luck-no legal advice

You can lock the dog in some of the rooms, but a lot of buyers want to see all of the bedrooms. Ask the listing agent to put in MLS that there is a friendly dog in the house and don't let him out. CSS alwys tell the agents that there will be dog there.

Have you considered "doggie daycare", perhaps a local vet has drop in daycare. Instead of going to Appointment Only, perhaps 24 hour notice for an appointment and then you can drop the dog at the "doggie daycare" for the day and pick it up on the way home. It may be worth the money to get you home sold and your dog will have company all day and you don't have to worry about it getting out.

Just another option to consider.

It is interesting to see how other markets work. In my area, all of our showings are by appointment only and usually we give 24 hours notice. Exceptions are usually only bank owned properties and even for most of those you have to call to set up when you will be showing it.

How exactly do showing work in your area? Do the buyer's agents give any notice or do they just show up to show your house? Do you have any teenage neighbors that could take the dog for a walk while your house is being shown? When school is out, a 14 or 15 year old neighbor might like making a couple of bucks to walk the dog for 30 minutes or so.

You have some options.

1. get a small kennel for your dog in your condo.
2. board it
3. leave it with friends during the week.
4. find someone to "dog sit" in their home during the week

You don't say where you are so we have no idea what the local customs may be.

In my area dogs running around a listing unrestrained is not a good selling point.

Appointment only is tricky - because yes it does narrow your chances, especially if as you said are in a condo, which means likely there will be other condos similiar for sale...

But if someone really wants to see it (and most educated buyers would want to see ALL of them in the same building/neighborhood) then chances are they will wait for evening or weekend.

Another option would be to find someone - maybe a retiree or student on summer break, who could watch the dog during the day...chances are they would want to be paid though and I'm not sure how worthwhile that would be.

I have 2 dogs myself. I had a client in the same situation as you. I had her drop the dog off and pick her up. It took 5 months to sell. She offered to pay me $500.00. I told her she could pay me by sending referrals. She has sent me 15 of which I closed 8.

I would suggest speaking with your neighbors. I am sure someone else has a dog and would be willing to watch your dog during the day for a small fee.

OHAgent - Here only high price homes are by appointment only. The seller decides what type of notice they want. Most occupied homes require a 30 minute courtesy call(leave a message and show). Some require no call. Still others want them to call the agent. There are instructions for showing on our listings.

Sit your dog down and explain to her that we are selling the house, its stressful, and she is going to have to do her part and sit in a crate. Its a temporary situation.

As REODayton said above, get a crate/cage for the dog. But specify to your agent and their office or whomever schedules the showings of your home, that you will need 12-24 hours notice. So, on days when there are showings scheduled, before you leave for work, put the dog in the cage/crate. problem solved.

The very best advice, though most sellers don't want to hear it, and most agents are reluctant to give it, is to remove all pets from the home before listing it.

Not only is 'appointment only' going to reduce your potential pool of buyers. But comments about 'don't let the dog out' only distract attention from what you want both the selling agent and buyers to be thinking about... YOUR HOME. Furthermore, I've had many clients who would not enter a home with a dog or a cat. Either due to fear or allergies.

Best advise for home sellers... send Fido or Frisky off to stay with grandma or the kids for a month or two. Fido may even enjoy the vacation!

Good luck!

By now maybe you've sold your condo.

I like the idea of locking the dog in a room and putting a photo of the room on the door. Also put the radio on to occupy the dog's ears. You can also use this technique with a family member who needs rehab.

Very interesting conversation. In the area I am in (Pennsylvania) it's just assumed people call for an appointment. I guess every state is different. I can't see what can be so hard for an agent to pick up a phone and confirm a time with the seller.

Considering I have 2 small boys and a big dog (single home) I couldn't imagine someone just "showing up" at my door. I would be horrified. What if I'm in the shower or in the bathroom. What if my kids have all the toys all over the place? Actually it works to the buyers benefit to have a time set to ensure the house is at it's best.

It's always interesting to see how different areas do things differently. My family in Canada said that they expect the wife to stay in the house in case the buyers have any questions. Unlike here where they don't want you with in 500 feet of the house LOL!

It's not hard at all when your's is the only house being shown.

But we get involved in a little more choreography when we're showing 6 or 8 houses to the same Buyers, and cannot predict with certainty exactly how long they might want to linger at any one of them; so a precise itinerary is very elusive.

Sometimes Residential Lookers will like a place and want to study it for an hour. And then the very same people may refuse to even go inside the next house because it lacks curb apppeal. Our schedules have to flex to accomodate these whims.

Your own Listing Agent can explain the exact circumstances there; but the presence of a loose dog never makes it easier to show off a residence to prospective Purchasers; regardless of which State the property is located in. Addressing the issue will insure your property isn't the one that is frequently skipped because it is a "difficult show".