Are FSBOs for the Dogs?
This has been an interesting week. We just got a new puppy, Etta. Someone found her behind a commercial building and we decided to try to help find her a new home. Personally, I hate the dog pound and shelters and would never dream of handing over this adorable dog to them. The bureaucracy and high fees, the holier than thou attitude, the policies about who should or shouldn’t have a pet, and their overall stranglehold on the pooch market I find distasteful. Boy do I have my reasons! And right now in Santa Maria, there are too many chihuahuas in shelters anyway (we speculate that Etta is a Chiweenie), so I decided I would try to find her a new home myself. Hell I market houses in a down economy, I can for sure market a puppy, right?!
I started with the people I know, neighbors and friends, but none were really prepared to take on a dog right now. And of course, the folks that really loved dogs already had too many. So, I put an ad on Craigslist and my facebook page and instantly got an overwhelming response. I set appointments with 3 different people and they all cancelled! Then a dog loving friend told me about a local pit bull fighting ring that was busted a few years back, in part, because they were using chihuahuas to get pit bulls used to the taste of blood. I couldn’t believe it -- I had no idea! I could have easily handed over this dog to someone who would use her for pitbull food. He advised that it would be better to charge for her than give her away for free. Since you can’t charge for animals on Craigslist, I thought it best to pull her ad and advertise her elsewhere. But not before I got one last call from a woman I will refer to as Simone. 
Simone convinced me that she was different and really wanted a dog like Etta. She was going to drive down (over an hour trip) to see Etta the next day. She seemed mature, experienced with dogs, and knew what she wanted. However, since her husband was going to be in town on Monday, I told her to wait for Monday and then I would be able to see if her husband was on board too. I was getting attached to the dog, but we already have two (and another that lives with my parents) and it was getting a little crazy, so if I could get Etta a good home I was willing. However, on Mother’s Day I received a text from Simone saying that her daughter just gave her a lab puppy. Labrador, Chiweenie, same thing, right? So, I suppose Etta is my mother’s day gift.
During this same week, I had calls from three potential sellers who tried to sell their homes FSBO at one point or another. Hearing their tales of woe at this time highlighted the similarities for me. Let’s face it some people hate Realtors as much as I hate the dog pound. However, many of the serious potential pet owners are going to try their luck at the pound. That’s just the way it is. The folks I was dealing with had crazy situations that probably wouldn’t make it past their elaborate screening process. Weeding through potential pet owners is tough -- there is definitely an art to it. And there are pitfalls and challenges that even a well meaning person may fall into because they have limited experience and knowledge. And, because I was emotionally attached to the dog, it was difficult not to take the entire process personally. In fact, it was so emotionally draining, that it was easier to decide to just keep the dog then to continue.
And, of course, these former FSBO sellers had decided to do the same thing...
Tni LeBlanc is a Real Estate Broker, Attorney,Short Sale Agent, Certified HAFA Specialist (CHS), Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource (SFR), and Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) serving the Santa Maria, Orcutt and Five Cities area of the Central Coast of California.
* Nothing in this article is intended to solicit listings currently under contract with another broker. This article offers no legal or tax advice and is for information purposes only. Those considering a short sale are advised to consult with their own attorney for legal advice, and their tax professional for tax advice prior to entering into a short sale listing agreement.
Copyright © 2012 Tni LeBlanc *Are FSBOs for the Dogs?*
Awww, you were meant to have that puppy! How cute and a terrific analogy for the FSBO. They gotta try, but once they have been through the ringer, best to hand it over to the ones who are schooled :)! Suggested!
I'm sure Etta is glad to have a home - good for you for rescuing her. I have always thought there was good karma for people who rescue animals!
Sounds like the FSBOs maybe were holding "dogs" but not as cute and lovable your doggie! It is a good thing you do rescuing Etta!
OMG Tni, i went through a similare thing with an abandoned kitten in my yard when my boys were younger...i took it to the pound because we already had 2 cats but my boys begged me to reconsider..i did and we adopted it & was a pleasure to us...as Etta will be for you (look at that face!)...love your segue into FSBOs and yes there are similarities! Happy doggie training! suggested.
Tni,
From the moment I started to read your post, I said to myself, “she is going to keep the dog.” Lucky Dog!
Dog hit the lottery!!
I offered a pair of ducks for free online (helping out a friend who couldn't keep them) and a couple of respondents told me about the pit bull fight training danger. I'm horrified by the things human beings will do. Congrats on your new pup!
I loved reading your post... and I am glad you didn't meet up with any of the craigslist ppl... this pup is safe because of you... loved the analogy with the FSBO but back to the doggie... love Etta, so cute-what a face!!!! I rescued my doggie--- 3wks old on the kill shelter (wth is wrong w ppl) when it is meant to be it is meant to be... I saved him but he saved me... ;) have a great day!
Awww, she looks like a friends little dog, who was also a rescue. I have a Chiweenie and my little loveable pooch is a Chiweenie. She has the Dachshund body and more of the Chiwawa head. So cute, and what a lucky dog.
Tni, Nice post, and I am a sucker for dogs. I agree, houses and dogs are two things that one can be easily attached to. Funny, though, when a FSBO owner cannot sell their home how quickly that emotional attachment disappears! This business is not as easy at it appears...
I like the was you linked the two stories together. It is a eye opening way to think of it. Plus that puppy is too cute! I am glad she found a home with you.
I told an ex who asked if I'd "keep a dog for six months while a guy went away for a job" that if I kept it that long, it was mine. Ended up with him for about 5 years.
I see your comparison with FSBO's and it's good!
Nice analogy! FSBOs have no idea what they get into when they put that hardware store sign on the lawn.
Very Cute dog . .. congrats .. ;-)
What a sweet face!! What a good analogy too. On the plus side, the little Etta won't eat much! And FSBO's with their particulars, yup it's a good analogy.
I think keeping Etta is what was meant to happen. I love her little face. And it's funny how you can totally draw a parallel with FSBO's given your experience trying to go at the dog adoption thing yourself. Unfortunately, FSBO's who need to sell really should hire an agent. Keeping the house is not like keeping the dog.
Love the dog and FSBOs are just lost puppies sometimes too! Its our job to help then find a new owner for their kennels but only when they are ready, lost and hungry.
Que coincidencia! This is my story...only I took in a pit bull that a neighbor found on a busy intersection, sitting next to a bowl of food and water. I was terrified of her the first time I saw her, but my neighbor needed a hand...and the rest is history. It turned out that this dog is afraid of her own shadow...the biggest baby on the planet, and she adores everyone she meets. I started taking her to my office, where she now has a huge fan base. And like, you...I soon realized that it was simply easier and less stressful to simply keep her, versus all the work it took of trying to find her a home. Pet adoption fairs where you sit outside on the street and wear ear plugs due to all of the barking dogs and traffic, endless ads, long phone calls with people that will never show up, dealing with people that take offense when I tell them I want to know more about them as adoptive parents, etc., etc., etc.
Now, if only I would also get the calls from the 3 FSBO folks...!
I am happy it all worked out with you and the little one in the end. She is your guardian angel on Mother's Day. I'm so glad you decided to keep her.
Cute dog and story.
Never offer a dog or any animal for free! Sadly there are not enough no kill shelters around. My kids and their friends have gotten dogs from one in Cincinnati and they do a great job. They are very particular (holier than thou) about who adopts a dog, but they do demand they get the dog back if things don't work out. I love these kinds of shelters and highly recommend them to those seeking animals. When one animal goes to a new home it frees up a spot for another. I'm glad you are keeping the dog, she looks ADORABLE!
I'm so glad to see that the puppy is now living in a happy forever home. If this happens again, you might want to try breed specific dog rescure organizations. I don't know about your area of the country, but we have a number of these. We also send out notices for dogd and cats who need homes to the local real estate networks. A lot of times, agents have clients who want a new pet to make their house a home.
Forget the FSBOs. They bite.
Dog is love!
The Irvine Animal Shelter will keep Etta until she's adopted, Tni. People from all over Orange and neighboring counties visit the shelter, and adopt pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs, turtles, etc) because of how clean and humane it is. Only problem is, you've got to be a resident of Irvine to donate a pet. I'm a resident, Etta, so that may be a good solution for both you and Etta. Check out the shelter when you get a spare moment, and let me know if I can help.
Aww, she is sooo cute. My shelter that I adopted my dog also told me a story about how people get dogs off CraigsList or anywhere else they can just to throw them in the dog ring. It's terribly cruel but people can be cruel to their pets too by just abandoning them. I recently had a bad experience where we adopted a Brittany & my husband was going to drive to Iowa to go get her & they called the day before & gave the dog to someone else 'because their pet died'. Well our pet had died previously too! Definite attitudes in many places as you say.
Good luck Mom! Keep her on something washable!
Tni:
You got a cute puppy there. Most FSBOs do just give up. it is such a hassle for them, it is a wonder they continue to sell their home beyond the first week.
Too CUTE!!! I took on a "temporary adoption about 12 years ago...the dog was 3 years old...He is still with me at 15.5 years. He's very protective and territorial which is why I don't write about him much. He can't go with me the way Jade and Tundra do. He guards the house...and seems very taken with his job. He has lost weight as he aged...but when people asked me his name - I call him "80 lbs of death". He is death to anyone who would try to hurt me or enter the home uninvited. His real name is "Buddy" and it was just too much of a cliche - so I tried to change it. But he decided he was "Buddy" and that was that.
"80 lbs of Death" A.K.A. Buddy 3 years ago...Handsome, isn't he?
Tni - OMG - I would take the pooch in a mini second.. what an adorable dog... I have already greatly admired your writing skills but I LOVE you for taking in this pooch... Gay
Hi Brenda - Thanks for the suggest and I think so too.
Peggy - Hey I get some good karma too? What a deal!
Thanks Gary.
Thanks for the suggest Ginny, I guess it worked. Yes, I think Etta will be a delight. Managing 3 dogs will be a challenge though!
John - LOL. You called it.
Bill - She thinks so!
Joetta - I know I would never dream that people would do that.
Ann - I'm told all the shelters around here are no kill. But I would hate to see her in a cage in a shelter. She's so young and needs attention.
Karen - We're not sure what she is exactly, but we are going with Chiweenie for now. Her body is very long as well, but her face looks like a Chihuahua. Her paws a bigger so she is definitely still growing.
Eagle Ridge - It certainly is a tough business, tougher lately too.
Hi Steve - Glad you enjoyed it.
Travis - Yeah I won't be holding a dog "temporarily" again for a long time. Not until there is really room in my house.
Sylvia - A wild ride many times.
Hey Gene - Thanks!
Carla - She is a good doggie. And she just so happens to be a doggie genius and is already pretty much trained to go outside.
Chris Ann - Very true. Keeping a house is a lot more expensive, especially in a declining market!
Michael - LOL very cute.
Jayne - It is a lot of work! And so is selling houses! I must say I have a little more respect for the shelters, although I still couldn't drop Etta off there.
Jennifer - Yes, she is my little blessing.
Thanks Kimo!
I've found the number of F.S.B.O.'s has dwindled to almost nothing in our market over the past few years. Since most home owners are under water on their mortgages in our area, to try to do a short sale on one's own would be a fool's choice. So they choose us, the Realtors. Anyway, cute puppy Tni. Glad he got a good home and owner to live in/with. Best of luck to you.
Hilarious stuff Tni! I didn't realize you were a rainmaker and such a talented blogger! Hope we can have you on OUR forum more!
Tni....As I started reading I thought you were going to keep the dog too! Our local shelter is actually a pretty good place but it's a small town shelter (hmmmm, might have to blog about them!) and not being a huge dog person (already have 3 kids and a husband...I can't take on a dog too!) I probably would have brought her to the shelter. Lucky Etta that you took her in!
Yo Quiero la casa. Cute dog and congrats on the gold star. It's a good life.
Looks like the puppy belongs to you! LOL. I hope that the puppy finds a safe home.
What a great story, Tni, and a great example fo how we need to let the experts handle things that we don't know how to. And Etta is soooo cute.
DA - Well I learned that lesson. When I was young, people did it all the time. And I suppose a FSBO would say - people used to do a deal on a handshake!
Valerie - The name seemed to fit her. She sings too. We are trying to curb it. LOL.
Stephanie - Oh it won't happen again. I've learned my lesson.
Hi Raymond - Thanks for the offer. I could never drop her off at any organization at this point. I could only give her to someone I trust who wanted her as a pet. So, she is mine for now.
Lyn - How awful. At least you found out before he hit the road though. Still very inconsiderate.
Evelyn - Selling a home is hard work and screening pet owners is too! I can see why people would give up.
Ruthmarie - He is beautiful. I see now how this whole "temporary" adoption thing works. I won't be doing it again anytime soon. LOL. Eric remarked that Etta is walking around with her tail up now. So, now she knows she has a home. That makes me smile.
Thanks Gay - I think she is adorable too.
Jerry - Lots of short sales here too, and quite a few people who tried FSBO when the market was declining. A lot less trying it now though for sure.
Hi Mike - Thanks for the shout out. Is there a place to blog there? I'll definitely post some of my short sale antics then. Had a blast on the Short Sale Cruise! Can't wait for the next one!
Tni, what a cutie! Animals do attach to us very quickly. We have had more than one 'found' animal find that its new home was our home, not someone else's!
Sharon
Awr I'm just a sucker for dogs and animals stories, especially the ones that end happilly. Just think of it, you could have 4 or 5 small dogs instead of one large dog. Rock on for dogs and the people that love them.
Great analogy with the FSBO story, you're such an excellent writer :)
OK, but I think people that go FSBO are barking up the wrong tree.
I peeked at the puppy picture before I read your entire post and was pretty sure how it would end. I was right. So shall we expect to see your AR picture with Etta from now on?
That is the cutest puppy. It's easy to see how you would become emotionally attached she's adorable.
Tni - I had never thought of dogs and FSBOs as having much in common though you tied it together nicely.
Hi Tni
It is a cute dog, alright!
Good luck with dog number three!!
Phil
My English Springer Spaniel boy went to the vet yesterday for emergency surgery - his sister and I waited anxiously all day to hear from the vet and he is back home and doing well in one of my RED t-shirts....they are such a large part of our lives...Welcome, Etta!
Hi Christine - I completely understand. Turns out the shelter may have done better to find Etta a home (instead of mine). Instead she's whining in her cage at my house. <sigh>
Joe Kenny - Yes it is a good life. What a privilege to be able to take in an animal. Of course, I am now at the city limit for dogs in one household. LOL.
Karen - No it isn't easy to do it yourself (dogs or FSBOs). Etta does have a sweet face -- she gets away with a lot because of it too!
Joan - Yes, I think I'm stuck with her. :-)
Hi Jane - I've learned that lesson again, even though I thought I already knew it. Funny how life is.
Kevin - She is pretty lucky. She's a pretty great dog too!
Frank & Sharon - I think she was attached to me after one day. It took me a little longer, but I couldn't stand watching people flake out on her!
Thanks Susan! Our city limit is 3, and we very much plan on keeping it legal. LOL. This is it and no more "temporary" guests turned permanent pets.
Cute, very cute Gene!
Lloyd - No, until she starts showing houses the picture will remain just mine. LOL.
Thanks Tammie - She is and I did.
Christine - Funny before this week I didn't either. Thank you!
Thanks Phil - I'll need it!
Wallace - Yes they are. We are outnumbered now, so our house has officially gone to the dogs. Oh well, they're good company. Glad to hear your doggie is doing ok.
Cute puppy.
Interesting take on the similarity between selling a puppy and FSBO.
Hello Tni! Believe it or not, we have put 2 dogs on Craigslist over the last 5 years...the first was an adorable lab mix puppy...he ended up with this great young woman who lived with her boyfriend right on Jax Beach...Leo got to eat BBQ steaks almost nightly and run on the beach daily with his new owners (they sent us pics frequently) - the last dog ended up with a great family who has 3 acres fenced in and he gets to sleep on the furniture!!! What a life!!! But we were choosy as to who we responded to and we got lots of interest for both dogs. We figured since we weren't charging anything, we could be choosy and get just the right home for the dogs!!!!
Great analogy Council!
Perhaps FSBOs have had prior negative experiences with agency relationships.
Just like any pool of professions, practitioners differ. (i.e. if you need a doctor and had a bad experience, and still are sick, you seek another based on recommendations of those who have had good experiences with their doc).
Providing references for a FSBO to call (perhaps in the same town or community as theirs), has helped overcome some negatives.
The only negative it does not help with is negative equity, which in our area is the main reason for fsbo.
We have a new puppy for the very same reasons. It is just easier to keep it.
Cute dog. Sounds like your new puppy is your good luck charm on getting those FSBO in the same week. You might want to do a profile pic of you and Etta!!!
Hi Tni, great post that truly points out what a Pushover you really are! You wanted that puppy from the get-go. Congrats ~ you got her!! :)
Hi Tni, very cute puppy and good analogy to FSBOs dealing with Realtors.
Hi Tni, My bet is that this little rascal stole your heart from the git go!!!
Hello Tni,I always have a soft heart for animals..Great job in taking Etta to your home.What a good rescue!I always think that good things come to people who have a kind heart.Best of luck to you and Keep being number one Santa Maria Short Sale Agent.
Thanks for sharing this analogy with us Tni, that little fellow is so cute, after looking at the photo I cant imagine you would have been able to give him up anyway.
I agree with your opinion on animal shelters but after the story about the pit bull fighters I am thinking maybe all those rules and fees might be necessary.
Hi Tni,
Thanks for sharing these awesome photos and this really great post. That is one adorable puppy. Keep up the good work as a top Santa Maria short sale agent, I think you're doing a really great job!
Hey, Tni! I included this post in Last Week's Favorites. Have a great week.
Thanks for stopping by Keith!
Hi Cheryl - Glad it made you smile.
Nancy - I definitely got a lot of leads on Craigslist, but sorting through them was a lot of work and in the meantime the dog needed to go to the vet and got attached to us, and I guess we got attached to her too. BTW -- Thanks for the great blog re-design!
Jeff & Grace - Probably true.
Karen - Glad I'm not the only one.
Stephanie - I'll wait until Etta gets licensed.
Sandy - LOL. You might be right.
Thanks Bob!
Bill - Yeah, I guess so.
Kim & Kristine - Let's hope!
Hi Bob - Thanks for the re-blog. I definitely think that it is not as easy as I thought at first.
Thanks Bas.
Hi Pat - Thanks for the feature! I'm going to run over there and check out the other posts!
It's such a dilemma, the shelters. If they are no kill, eventually there is no room. And everybody has their own agenda and ideas of what is best, there seems to be a lot of conflict. While I was waiting for my license, I worked for a short period of time as the marketing manager at the Sacramento SPCA and was ready to quit after 4 weeks. When I finally did give my notice, they practically booted me out the door on the same day.
FSBO's can hate us all they want. They'll eventually have to work with us.
Hi Tni. A big heart to go with all those brains. Vary nice. What is a Chiweenie?
Oh, my, who could not love that face? Yup, she was just waiting for you!!!
Tni, what a concept! Both are overlooked for different reasons, some have had bad experiences with their past relationships (owners and licensees) and others just 'sit' and 'stay' there.
We are happy to hear that Etta (the cute little bugger) has a new family.
Oh no, if Etta is not the cutest little puppy! I loved your article, too, Tni.
Congratulations, Etta, for finding just the right home and just the right people to call your own.