This is quite embarrassing. When an agent sets up a home viewing, we are often advised that there may be a ”friendly” dog at the home or “do not let the cat out.” This was the case when i previewed a home for a Buyer in their absence. I was told there was a “nervous cat, not to let out of the home.” I arrived and opened the front door of the home to be greeted by the cat sitting on the staircase. I acknowledged it by saying “hi kitty!” I then proceeded towards the back of the home and kitchen. I went down the basement and looked in the furnace room. The cat had came down the basement stairs and sat on the second step from the bottom. Having noticed a litter box in the furnace room i asked the cat “do you need to use your bathroom!” I stepped aside and it remained on the stairs. As i went to go up the stairs it hissed at me. I then stepped back and the cat came towards me. In order to give it some space i stepped backwards into a small bedroom at the opposite end of the basement. The cat then came to the entrance of that room and “took up position!” It had cornered me in this basement back room …. really! Twice i tried to leave and it hissed and became aggressive. I even called the Sellers agent on my cell for help. Eventually i was able to distract the cat enough to “get out of the house!”
What a crazy story! Normally I would be more worried about dogs, even ones that are described as “friendly” but cats can be just as mean and as aggressive as some dogs!
Is it more appropriate to ask the owners to take their animals with them during an open house? That’s what we had to do with our agent awhile back. As a pet owner, I wouldn’t risk my pets health and safety to my agent.
Most definitely pets at an open house are very distracting …. uncomfortable for the pet and a nuisance for the agent trying to chat up prospective Buyers foir your home!
As a pet owner, I have always had my agent let me know ahead of time and I would make plans to remove my pets and all hints that they exist like a litter box. If it is a last minute showing, I drop what I am doing and make sure to get my pets and their things out. It is possible to have a pet friendly home and not have it smell like pets. Most viewers never realized we had any animals!
LOL you sound like the perfect Seller of a home!
I think your story is a prime example of why pets should not be in the home during an open house. I have a dog, and when my previous home was up for sale, neither of us were at the open house. I would worry too much leaving my pet there unattended.
You are right …. it is also very stressful on the poor pets with all that activity.
this was amazing awesome blog
It’s the first time I hear about a cat behaving like that! and you didn’t do anything to provoke it.
The poor kitty is not used to strangers
I had an orange cat who was like that.
I know as a realtor it is important to show your smile and charm and bring your best customer service foot forward but there has to be a line. If you, as a home and pet owner, are too stupid and stubborn to admit your flaws and try to fix them then you need to find someone else to sell your home.
You know your cat will do this so put it in a room and tell me not to go in there…the basement is a good place to let kitty lounge around and be out of the way. What happens when the cat attacks someone in the house? TROUBLE!
LOL
True. One of the most crucial aspects in buying a new property is the pets. We have to be very careful with these animals, even though they are often described to be ‘friendly’. They may be hostile and resistant to new homeowners.
When we were selling our home, our realtor would let us know ahead of time if he was going to show the house, so I’d put the dogs in my car and take them for a ride. They definitely loved that, and of course it made things alot easier for our realtor.
Wow that is a story right there. If I was in your position I have no clue what I would have done to get away from that evil cat
Maybe it wanted you stay forever
LOL your interpretation of the cat’s state of mind is different from mine!! LOL
That is a tough situation to be in – as a real estate agent, but also as the seller of the home. I know that there is a big financial gain to be had if the house sells, so as a seller you should be highly motivated to “help” out by removing your pets prior to a showing, but what do you do if your job doesn’t allow that possibility?
We have two normally very friendly border collies, but I cannot guarantee how they will react to “strangers” being in the home or yard while my husband and I are away.
Currently, we keep them in the fenced yard during the day and if the agent requests a showing before we can get home, we simply “warn” them that the dogs are in the back yard and to not go out the back door. I know this is not ideal, but we don’t have a better solution at this time. At least there is a great view of 90% of the yard from the back door….
LOL most of the yard is good!
That’s a great story! I don’t mess around with cats when they hiss, so I don’t blame you for being cautious.
Good Grief! People never believe me when I say that cats can just as aggressive and mean as dogs. Your story serves as proof of my claim! After all of the horror stories I’ve heard regarding homeowner’s pets, I’m really surprised that realtors don’t have some sort of standard requirement that pets should be secured and not allowed to roam around the house during visits. It seems like that would be best for everyone all around.
The cat probably thinks you are an intruder. It is just funny that the cat appears to have stalked you first then successfully pushed you into a corner. But really, the owners should have made arrangements for the cat. I am sure the owner would know if a cat has a tendency to be aggressive towards strangers.
LOL the owners shared their cat’s psychotic behaviour with me after the “incident!!”
Jeezus! When cats attack. This is insane. They should have locked the cat up just in case it decided to be even more spontaneous and go nuts. When you are trying to sell your house, you need to try your best to have a welcoming environment.
While this did make me laugh, it puts into perspective what an agent potentially has to deal with. I’ll bet there are a lot more stories of this sort. Hopefully they all end as well!
LOL not for the cat though …. the owners came home and it was hiding under the bed.
That is funny and then not so much. You had a monster cat on your hands. The cat may have been trying to protect the home, good it was not a dog with that attitude. Glad you escaped in one piece.
LOL crazy cat!!
I am so happy that I discovered your blog. Your stories are so funny and entertaining.
LOL thanks!
That was quite an aggressive cat! I think the homeowners were extremely inconsiderate. It was not in anyone’s best interest to have this predatory cat around; certainly not the poor agent who was only trying to sell the house! And they could have also quite literally scared away potential buyers.
To the larger point, I agree with what others have said here. Pets do not have a place at an open house. Another factor to consider is that some people are allergic to cats and/or dogs and it is certainly inconsiderate to them.