Don't Let it Go to the Dogs!

I have two dogs- two very well behaved large dogs.  One is an eleven year-old border collie and the second is a 15 month old Catahoula leopard & lab mix.  The city of Medicine Hat is a dog owner’s heaven. With the parks and the off-leash areas, any dog owner would be thrilled to live here. 




Since moving to town, we have walked at almost every park in and around the city.  Sometimes it’s just the pups and me and sometimes my 12 year-old daughter tags along.   It’s an amazing experience to be the only person walking dogs at King Coulee Park on a Saturday morning.  You can hear the snow crunching under your feet in the otherwise silent morning air.


It’s during the quiet moments of my walks that I think about life’s little challenges.  Last weekend, as I was walking I was thinking about the difficult time we had locating the perfect house- not only for my family, but also for my dogs.  We needed a big fenced back yard with a mud room for them to come in and go out, to avoid dragging melted snow all over the house.  


I know I’m not the only one to be in this situation.  I have three neighbours who have chairs perched in their front window area, piled with a nest of pillows or blankets, so that their pups can lounge away the day while looking out the window.   You see, we all do crazy things for our pets- baby talk, special pet beds, cute toys, etc. 


After all, we love them!


Unfortunately, if you are thinking about selling your home, there is an important fact that we should consider as a pet owner.  35% othe population is allergic to, or afraid of, pets.  So if you place your home on the market today and you have showings with your pet still in the house (crated, sequestered or worse, loose in the backyard), you will appeal to only 65% othe buyers who are looking for a house.


A reduced number of potential buyers means that you will need to lower your asking price by at least 20% (low other homes in similar size and value) just to help a buyer over the threshold.  Once the price has been lowered, you may see an increase in the appeal to offset the 35% tt won’t consider buying a home with a pet.  Additionally the potential buyer will more than likely negotiate a lower price, as they feel there should be compensation for the pet dander/oder/existance.


So how do we remedy this?  As a dog owner and real estate professional I can tell you that there is only one real solution. 


As a real estate professional I know this is the best solution.


As a pet owner it seems unfair. 


The solution is to place your furry family member with a friend or relative while your home is on the market. If you don’t have anyone who can take them, you can place them in a boarding facility for the time needed. 

You will sell your home quite a bit faster and you will obtain a higher offer.    


Every agent at Signature Service Real Estate is not only a Dog and/or Cat lover, but also a great problem solver.  As professional REALTORS® it is our duty to offer you solutions that will help you sell your home more quickly, at the highest price, and in the least amount of time. 


We would love to hear your feedback in our comment area.  Tell us about your pets and if you have had to sell or buy real estate while being a pet owner.  If you are not an animal lover, please share with us how you feel about buying a home that is inhabited by a dog or cat.