Should You Buy A Home That Was Lived In By Several Dogs?
Have you found a home you really love, only to notice that the previous owners had several dogs? You may be wondering whether or not making an offer on the home is really a good idea. Will the dog odors ever go away? Is there damage you're not yet seeing? To help you decide whether buying a home that has been lived in by several dogs is the right choice for you, seek out the answers to these questions.
How does the home smell?
When you walk in, is there a noticeable dog odor? Try to visit on a warm day or when the heat is turned up, since this is when any odors will be most noticeable. If you see a lot air fresheners plugged into the walls or detect a strong air freshener odor, you can assume the owner is trying to cover a dog odor.
The presence of an odor does not necessarily mean you should not buy the home. Sometimes changing the air filter and shampooing the carpet will completely eradicate the dog odor. If you love the home but are concerned about the odor, ask the owner if they're willing to complete these tasks. Then, come back and see what the home smells like with a clean filter and clean carpet.
What is hidden under the furniture?
When you look at the home, ask the owner (or their agent) if it's okay for you to move some furniture around. Look behind and underneath sofas and other big pieces of furniture to ensure there are no urine stains or scratched areas that the homeowners are trying to hide. Also look carefully at the backs of propped-open doors and at the backs of stairs -- these are areas dogs often scratch.
Is the owner willing to discount the home due to damage?
Often, dog owners are a bit oblivious to the idea that having had dogs live in their home makes it less appealing. So, they might not price the home accordingly. If you do notice any damage caused by the dogs, point it out to the owners (or their agent), and then make an offer for less than the asking price, based on the amount of damage present. This will leave you some money to make repairs and changes to get rid of the dog damage. The owner may not accept your offer right away, but be patient. After several others look at the home and spot the same damage, they may come to terms with the fact that their asking price is a bit too high.
For more information, contact a real estate agency like Foxfire Realty, Inc.
