Selling up - viewings and dogs

[MissBetseyTrotwood]

So, we're most likely moving. House goes on the market in the next few weeks.

What would you do with the dogs? I searched and found another thread on here that advised to remove all traces of them for photos and viewings. The estate agent was pretty laid back about it.

Now I can understand doing that for photos and not having the (large) dogs at home for viewings I also get. But removing all trace of them would feel really odd. I mean, they might be large but they're not smelly or dirty and their beds are just giant cushions and duvets that get a regular wash.

However, I'm up for being told I'm wrong and will swallow the weirdness I feel about the whole thing and will act as though they never existed if that's what is judged to be suitable.

I do want the house to sell well (and fast) though as we are moving to dog paradise.

I sold a house 12 years ago when I had three large dogs. Before each viewing I'd clean thoroughly using Ocean Fresh, open windows etc. etc. I'd put the dogs in the garden, but didn't remove all traces (may have moved the dog beds to give an air of more space though). As long as the house looks and smells clean then people don't mind. IF viewers had dog allergies and didn't want to buy a house with carpets which may have dog hair embedded in then best they know at first viewing you have dogs rather than use it as an excuse to reduce the price later on. All eight viewers we had put an offer in. I didn't let the agents do the viewings, I did them myself. I knew the house better than they did, and asked the right questions of the buyers. On one occasion my biggest scariest dog didn't want to go out before the viewers came. I struggled and got him out. I accepted an offer from the people who backed out! Guess who knew best! Good luck with your sale.

Hmm, I think they'll have to be out then. Our garden's on the small side and needs all the favours it can have done to it to get it to look bigger. Two large dogs (one officially almost 'giant' breed) do make it look rather small!!!

Thanks guys

If I was totally anti dog I wouldn't buy the house anyway as my delicate nose would doubtless pick up a whiff of dog.
Otherwise I can't see a problem with dog stuff lying around, though be aware that beds etc look so messy, you just get used to them yourself :o
I also would prefer the dogs to be either out being walked, out in the garden, in a cage or lying peacefully on their beds rather than pestering me for a fuss while I looked around my potential new home.

I used to hide the dog round a friends when we hac the house up for sale. I think it puts off some viewers.

I think that even with a nonshedding, nonsmelly breed, and with lots of thorough cleaning, doggy houses can and do smell different to non doggy ones, plus there are cultural issues for some people (esp. thinking about where you are).

I'd say dogs out of the house for viewings, and minimal doggy paraphernalia on display especially as dog beds take up a surprising amount of floor space.

Have a look at similar properties for sale in your area - this gives you a good idea of standards of presentation you'll be up against, and whether you can see any doggy stuff (bet you won't). For the sake of a doggy paradise (which sounds wonderful by the way!!) I'd suck up the hassle of showroom house if I thought it would help a quick sale.

Dogs will definitely be out. While one would just regally survey the visitors to his kingdom and accept any fuss with a sort of bored good grace, the other would nearly combust with excitement at 'guests'.

The decor of our competitors is sort of Scandinavian I'd say. Stripped wood, old leather sofas etc. So not clean lines or fanatically tidy but pretty sparse.

Lucky we have a big car. It's going to be pretty full.

Our next place (we hope) has a ginormous garden. It also has a purpose built dog toiletting area. I wonder if our large dogs of tiny brain will be able to master its use!