Pets are almost always loved by everyone; however, they can make a potential buyer nervous. This may shock or surprise you, and you may wonder why your cute, adorable Fluffy or Buddy would make anyone nervous because they could never hurt anyone. But the thing you should keep in mind is the buyer does not know this. Sure, you could leave a note telling them the pet is super friendly, but that is just not enough to alleviate some people’s fear of our four legged family members. Buyer’s nervousness about your pets could very well affect their decision to purchase your home.
The Solution
The best and most effective solution is to temporarily relocate you favorite furry buddy while your home is for sale. Boarding them at a kennel or having a friend or relative care for them is a good idea, but if you absolutely cannot bear to part with your pet, then here are a few suggestions to help reduce the impact they may have on the sale of your home.
1. Clean up the doo – Keeping the smell and sight of a pet’s bathroom area clean is essential. Make sure the cat box is clean and out of sight if you have a feline friend. If you happen to have a dog, make sure its potty area is clean too. No one likes to go check out the backyard only to discover it is littered with doggie bombs.
2. Stains – Have your carpets or floors professionally cleaned so as to get rid of any stains your critters may have left behind. If it can’t be cleaned, it should be replaced.
3. Odors – Having the floors cleaned will help get rid of any lingering smells left behind by your pets. Air freshener should not be used as many people are allergic and could react to it.
4. Evidence – If you can, clean up any evidence of your pet. Photos of your listing should not show any pets; seal up any doggie doors as not everyone likes or uses these; food and water dishes should be put away; use your vacuum a lot. Remember to put all pet toys, beds, cages or carriers away!
5. Showing – When showing your home, if possible, take your furry friends with you. If you have to leave them in your home, put them in a carrier with a “Do Not Disturb” note. Caged animals can be unpredictable, and you don’t want any buyer or agent getting bit or scratched by your pet.
About Christa
Resume’
Christa Sasser
Distinctive Properties, Inc.
Obtained Real Estate License in August of 1979 and the Broker’s License in January of 1985.
• Broker / Owner of Distinctive Properties since 1994.
• Graduate of the Real Estate Institute (GRI)
• Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
• Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB)
• Accredited REO Agent (A*REO)
• Certified Sort Sale, Foreclosure, Recourse. (SFR)
Real Estate Activities:
Locally: Tri-City Association of Realtors.
• 1992 and 2001 Realtor of the Year.
• 1991 Elected to President of the Tri-City Association of Realtors.
• 1990 Served as Vice-President.
• 1989 Embraced the office of Secretary -Treasurer
• 1985 to 1994 Elected to the Board of Directors.
• 1989 to 1994 Earned a place on the Honor Society
• 2012 CRB (Certified Residential Broker) President for WA Chapter.
• Chaired: Member Services, Nominations, Awards, Long Range Planning, Budget and Finance, Communications, Education, Grievance. Co-Chaired: Most or all of the Committees. Served on: Activities, Budget & Finance, Long Range Planning, Member Services, Awards, Education, Nominating. Grievance, By-Laws. MLS Committee (Some more than one term, consecutively or at different times.)
Washington Association of Realtors
On the Board of Directors from 1989 to 2004 and 2010 -2012
• 2004 Recipient of the EDDY AWARD
• Chairperson & Vice Chair: MLS Forum. Education Forum. Served on:
• Operational Planning Committee, Nominations Committee, License Law Subcommittee, Strategic Planning, Communication, Education Forum, Education Steering, MLS Forum, Budget & Finance, Forms, Nominating, Several Core committees. Business Practices Core Committee. Business Practices Core Committee through 2009. Member of Legislative Steering Committee through 2012. Taxation. (Some more than one term, consecutively or at different times.)
• *2014- Received the Larry Miller Award for Excellence in Real Estate.
State of Washington:
1993 Appointed by the Governor to the Real Estate Commission.
• 1996-2003 Re-appointed to the Real Estate Commission for a 6-year term.
• 1997 Vice Chair of the Commission
• 1998 -2003 Chair of the Education Subcommittee
• 1999- 2003 Honorary Trustee for the Washington Center of Real Estate Research. WSU
• 2008-:Present School Administrator for Distinctive Real Estate School.
• 2008- Present Certified Real Estate Instructor
Community:
• VITA- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance for 10 years.
• Mid-Columbia Symphony Guild
• German Club.
• Pasco Police Auxiliary Volunteer 1969-1974
• President of the Pasco Police Auxiliary.
• Toastmasters
• Board Member, Canyon Lakes Homeowners Association
• Member of St. Joe's Parish Finance Committee
Real Estate Education:
• Graduate of the Real Estate Institute (GRI) 1984
• Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) 1994
• Certified Residential Broker (CRB) 2005
• Appraisal MAI Courses.
• Additional Courses successfully completed: Finance of Real Estate, Real Estate Law, Successful Practices, Real Estate Management Training, Investment Analysis, Advanced Investment Analysis, Relocation, Legal Aspect of New Construction, Hot@ Legal Issues, Negotiating, How to Deal with Builders, Real Estate Agents Rights & Responsibilities. GRI 400, Broker Management. Risk Reduction Institute Courses: Agent Guide to Agency, Avoiding Misrepresentation, Fair Housing in the 90's, Avoiding Anti-Trust Violations, Agency, Ethics, Does it Pencil? (Investment Analysis) Accredited REO classes. Sort Sale, Foreclosure classes. & more.
• Certified as an Instructor from the Department of Licensing in the following
fields:
o Use of computers and/or other technologies as applied to the practice of Real Estate.
o Real Estate Sales & Marketing. Real Estate Practices. Real Estate Law. Real Estate Fundamentals.
o Real Estate Closings Practices. Principles & Essentials. Legal Aspects. Ethics & Standards of Practices
o Current Trends & Issues. Cross Cultural Communication. Consumer Protection. Business Management.
o Brokerage Management and Advanced Management Practices.
Pets are almost always loved by everyone; however, they can make a potential buyer nervous. This may shock or surprise you, and you may wonder why your cute, adorable Fluffy or Buddy would make anyone nervous because they could never hurt anyone. But the thing you should keep in mind is the buyer does not know this. Sure, you could leave a note telling them the pet is super friendly, but that is just not enough to alleviate some people’s fear of our four legged family members. Buyer’s nervousness about your pets could very well affect their decision to purchase your home.