I like dogs. A doggie surprise while on tour, though, is an entirely different matter.
For example, the game called “Where is the Dog?” is not one to play with prospective buyers for your home, or for your client’s home, if you are the listing agent.
A few weeks ago, I had carefully lined up a handful of promising listings for my clients. We were mid-way through the tour when we stopped by a new listing – one I hadn’t seen before. As per my usual habit, I entered first and was opening up rooms and turning on lights so my clients could take a good look.
Although I am usually prepared for all sorts of unusual features, this one caught me by surprise.
I opened the Master Bathroom door and a GIANT, and I mean GIANT, black lab pounced on me – all 500 pounds of slobbering, wiggling, exhuberant happiness of a dog that is THRILLED that someone has stopped by to visit. Guard dog she was not. I squealed and jumped back and my 7-month pregnant client did the same, as did her husband, who she bumped into as she wheeled around to flee the room! AUGH!
After recovering from the initial shock, and realizing the dog was friendly, I tried to calm her down with words and petting, but finally wrapped my arms around her neck and kneeled on the floor beside her to give her the love she needed to calm down. She needed the big guns – my weight vs. hers, to anchor her to the floor to keep her from bounding into the next room after my clients who were back in the entry, ready to make a quick exit, if needed.
Ah, the adrenaline rush.
Yes, dogs are lovely, but not if you want prospective buyers to get a good look at your house. If I had to describe that house to someone now, the only thing I remember is that the door to the master bathhrom was on an angle, closed, and that the DOG WAS REALLY REALLY BIG.
We probably won’t be back.
About BigMama
LOL! See, that’s funny on two levels – the way you described at because it happened to me! I went with my older sister house hunting one day and the realtor was showing us this house. We knew there was a dog inside but didn’t know where. It was a wolf hybrid (party husky, part wolf) and it stealthily stalked us for about 10 minutes. Very quiet – never made a sound! When we finally saw her she was a friendly as can be, fortunately!
Why would people do this anyway? It seem obvious that the bathrooms are one of the first places women buyers will want to see – specifically the master bath.