For some reason, I keep attracting dog lovers. Maybe that's because I am a pet-friendly REALTOR® and dog lover myself. I hop in the car with families and their poodles, beagles, hounds and mutts. I take dog biscuits with me to my listing appointments. I carry dog goodies in my glove box. Once or twice I have to say, I actually have preferred the company of their dogs to certain "customers' who rode with me to look at land or a new "green-built" home here in the mountains near Asheville, NC. but mostly, pet-friendlyfolks are kind souls I really enjoy meeting.
A hundred or more dogs have introduced themselves to me along the way. I'd like to know why it is that dogs just seem to find a space for those in their sphere of influence to open up their hearts or laugh out loud?
Pet-friendly clients seem to know all about that safe-haven.
Call me Snoopy, but after years of looking into it, I really am beginning to believe that pets set the stage for people to make wise choices. .. a final outcome this REALTOR® certainly can appreciate.
Here's something interesting. Most dogs I've met on the showing of properties trail seem immediately to know when they are ‘Home"...
Take for example the story I like to tell about Gloria, an 80 pound Golden Retriever.. She sat down with a satisfied thud on the third porch we visited, gazed with assurance at my client, released a long sigh, and any question about where she wanted to stay was settled. Never mind that it was a brand new WNC HealthyBuilt® Home with all the energy efficient features and nontoxic finishes one could ever wish for. Never mind that it had geothermal features and a rainwater catchment system. Gloria needed no convincing. This was Home! Smart Dog.
I like to think that we have the option, through our pets and through stories, to discover more of who we and our clients are inside. I like to imagine that here is that amazing "space" that is able, somehow, to communicate what is most important to us and to them. Such treasures could help us to do well in our transactions while also making a special contribution to positive outcomes.. .for the benefit of all parties...in a sustainable way...now, and a hundred years from now.
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I am also a realtor & have found that most people who do not like animals are very self centered.
Perhaps it was the dogs have an additional 240 smell detectors and knew green built was best for all.
This is one reason I have my horse on my photo - she's my reference for many of my client and potential clients. She tells them that she trusts me, and that goes a long way with horse folk.
I have yet to see anyone take their dog with them to view properties and I'm not sure it is necessarily a good idea (too many 'what ifs').
A good post. My Chi would not set foot in the cellar of our previous house. If we carried her inside she would book out the door!
Nice Blog - what a pretty Golden.
I take my golden with on many showing appointments. When I am meeting clients at properties and the weather is cool enough for him to be in the car. Many of my clients ask me about "Simba" when they talk with me. Most love him and want to pet him and say hi. If the buyer's aren't animal lovers, they just don't respond to him.
JaneAnne - I love Golden Retrievers - friendly dogs! We have a Lhaso Apso that just doesn't play well with others, so we're currently a one dog family. Oh, and thanks for promoting green-built housing.
Best Wishes,
Kelsie
janeAnne - Pets teach us so much. As you may have read in some of my prior blogs, I have a friend who founded New England Pet Partners - Pets and their humans go to schools, assisted living centers and on the trails - they also are hard workers. Most are important members of the family! I am sure they love green-built pet friendly homes and their Realtors(r).