Selling house w/ multiple Cairns

[toomanypaws]

Wish me luck and send alot of positive thoughts as I plan to put my house up for sale in two weeks. I'm going to try to go "by owner" being I had success selling my last house that way. Plus, there's no way I could let a realtor have a lockbox on this house. The barking would drive everyone away. With my last house, I had a barn to put the big dogs in and I only had one Cairn, Kiara. I just put her in her crate and she never made a peep. All three of my Cairns are quiet when they're put in their crates. With this house, my neighbor told me to bring the Lab and Aussie over to her yard so that any potential buyer can see my backyard. I don't want to leave the Cairns w/ her for fear one may find a place to dig out of her yard, or that the little girl who lives there will open the gate. Should I just crate all three and hope that doesn't turn a buyer away? Maybe I could put a tablecloth over the 3 crates and make it look like an end table. I don't want to lose a sale due to having pets. My house is extremely clean and doesn't have a pet odor. Hopefully a pet person will fall in love w/ this house.

If anyone sold their house w/ multiple Cairns living there, any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Tracy A.]

A realtor friend of mine says that if possible have the dogs gone when showing the house. It's more of barking thing than anything. Can your husband take everyone out for a hamburger?

Tracy

[kayharley]

Unfortunately a potential buyer is going to want serious time checking out your home, asking questions and I think playful adorable Cairns just might be a tad overwhelming. (although if I were looking to buy your house, PLEASE keep them there )

You may just have to be selective in the times you allow buyers to come or else have your realtor explain about the dogs.

I know what you mean about no doggie odor....without the barking and the little fur remnants on the rugs, you would never know they live here. I'd talk with my realtor about what to do. Having hubby take them out sounds like a plan if you have prior notice.

Are you buying another house in the same location? CT is wonderful this time of year and Elliott is always looking for playmates.

[CathyAnn]

Is there a relative or friend that would be willing to help you out by keeping the animals?

We went thru this in Indiana a few years back and I had nobody in the area to help. I would put them all in the car and go for a drive when the buyers were due to come.

Toto LOVED going to McDonald's . And, of course, our two cats hated car rides of ANY kind. It was a fiasco, but I think better to have them completely out of the house.

Good luck, Beth!!

Cathy

[Mollyrocker]

I'll buy our house....but only if your 3 cairns come with the house!

[Scully'sMom]

First of all.....I wish you much success in the selling process!

I was liking your idea of putting a tablecloth over the crates. I think you should add a lamp for some added pizazz.

I would think you're going to be the one in charge of when you want to show the house so I'd probably enlist the help of someone to sit them in THEIR home while you're busy.

[Anna_525]

Yes, I like the tablecloth idea, too! Just tell the potential buyers that the strange sounds will go away if they make a good offer!

I remember looking at tons of houses and focusing on the ones where there weren't distractions while we were looking. Although none of them had dogs, the ones where there were little kids running all over the house got us out of the house right away. It wasn't really because of the kids that we didn't like those houses, but it felt so crowded that the house felt too small for us...crating the dogs is not a bad idea at all.

Good luck! How exciting that you're selling...are you relocating? We're thinking of selling and upgrading whenever we can...(DH says yeah, right).

[toomanypaws]

Yes, I like the tablecloth idea, too! Just tell the potential buyers that the strange sounds will go away if they make a good offer! 

I remember looking at tons of houses and focusing on the ones where there weren't distractions while we were looking. Although none of them had dogs, the ones where there were little kids running all over the house got us out of the house right away. It wasn't really because of the kids that we didn't like those houses, but it felt so crowded that the house felt too small for us...crating the dogs is not a bad idea at all.

Good luck! How exciting that you're selling...are you relocating? We're thinking of selling and upgrading whenever we can...(DH says yeah, right).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We definitely decided to have the Cairns out of the house. We have a fenced kennel in the rear right corner of our backyard where I just might put them in their crates when I have to show the house. We're in a sought after neighborhood, and the market is just starting to climb. I'm hoping to sell this house myself like I did my last one. We're just moving about 25 miles inland off the beach. Everything I do is in town and this driving over the bridge twice a day (60 miles total) is getting old. The new house is a perfect layout for my "Cairn girls" and only 5 miles to dd's private school.

[Kathryn]

No matter what you do with your pups, please be sure to have a second person in your house whenever you show it! A while ago here a couple were making the rounds of owner-selling homes, asking for a showing, and then distracting them and stealing cash and jewelry and other small things they could take off with. I think a second person in the house is always a safety feature.

(Barking cairns would help too as long as they're out but in a crate they won't be much good. Actually, my Allie wouldn't be much good anyway. She'd roll over for a belly rub as the thieves were leaving the house...)

[Anna_525]

Off topic- I also did the 60 miles a day thing for 13 years. Although we didn't relocate, I switched jobs and it's only 10 miles each way now. Boy, did it make a big difference in my quality of life! I'm always available when my children need me. I also have time to walk Alfie at the end of the day. I took the long commute for granted. I do miss NYC but I don't think I'd go back to that routine again. I'm so excited for you, having gone through that change myself. Congratulations on your decision, and good luck!!!!!

[Brody'sMom]

I don't think it will matter that much as long as the house doesn't smell (and I trust you that it does not). Since you are going FSBO I'm assuming you'll be home when potential buyers are in the house so I'd crate the dogs so they don't distract the potential homebuyers. I'd also minimize the dog clutter just so they don't focus on your house a "dog" house. P.S. I'm still doing the 60 mile a day thing, so I'm envious!

[toomanypaws]

I don't think it will matter that much as long as the house doesn't smell (and I trust you that it does not). Since you are going FSBO I'm assuming you'll be home when potential buyers are in the house so I'd crate the dogs so they don't distract the potential homebuyers.  I'd also minimize the dog clutter just so they don't focus on your house a "dog" house.  P.S. I'm still doing the 60 mile a day thing, so I'm envious!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I made my dd reduce the clutter in her room and I put things she had to keep in storage. I'm going to have to do the same w/ my Cairn's toys. They're so cute, I bagged up some toys yesterday and they just watched and wondered what I'm up to. I'll also do "by appointment only" so I have time to rid my house of Cairns.

Just had to share how impressed I am w/ "Magic Eraser" by Mr. Clean. We have alot of ceramic tile and I heard about it so thought I'd try it on the floor in the kitchen. I knew the grout needed to be cleaned and "Magic Eraser" erases it in just a few wipes. It's so easy that my dd did my kitchen floor grout for me. It also works on walls!