You go to show a property and take your client into the kitchen to look around. Something is sticking out from under the fridge, and so you take a look......Oh gawd....it's a mouse. If you're squemish do NOT look at the first picture.
A live Mouse that is squiggling to get free. Your client hasn't seen it yet, and hey we're all supposed to Disclose....so come on what do you do? Kick the trap back under the fridge, take it out and throw it away, or allow the client to see it and say...well at least the trap worked LOL :)
OK, so now we know the house has a mouse....so I clean my Real Estate Glasses to see what else I might find...please please don't let him/her have more friends.
OK, this is what I found: Look at the metal strip at the bottom of the Door. Come to find out that a while back the owner of the home had an infestation of mice, so called a Pest Control Company.
Apparently the owners were so disgusted that they were willing to do just about anything to get rid of the mice. The Pest Control Company came and did an assessment, and one of the main things that was emphasized was entry points!
Look at the Picture on the left:
Apparently the Pest Control Company put glue traps in different places around the house, steel wool around pipe openings, and then talked the owner into putting metal strips on the bottom of the security door (to keep the mice out).
Do you see anything wrong with this ?
The Owners were distraught over having mice in the house, and after calling in the Professionals, figured they knew what they were doing. Ahh....but my Real Estate eyes saw something they didn't. If a mouse can climb up counters, and jump several feet...how in the world is this 2 inch piece of metal going to keep them out? Look at the opening that is right above the metal strip.
This is what I learned about Mice:
Don't let a little Mouse take over your listing.....it's hard enough finding a buyer for a house without the Mouse running them off :) :)
By: Kathy McGraw- CELLing Realty
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Real Estate for SO CAL. specifically the Pass Area, Cabazon and Whitewater. Calif Blog: http://CaliforniaRealEstateAndLife.com CA DRE LIC#01445865
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I learned everything I ever wanted to know about a mouse - from you! Thanks for sharing.
Yeah...that first picture is kinda ewwww. lol! You have some great pointers here and things I had never even thought of.
I opened the door to a basement once and a squirrel jumped out! Everyone ran for the doors! LOL!!!
Amazing creatures, those mice. I'm not the biggest fan of them, but I do have a cat named Baxter who would have a field day:-)
Sugar Pine Realty- Your comment made me smile....I too learned way more than I ever wanted to know about mice :)
Sally- Yea...well I wasn't happy when I found that either...but at least you saw it here and not in person LOL :)
Heath- Isn't it funny that in it's own environment we all say...ohhh how cute, but you guys didn't think so when it jumped out of that basement....... LOL with you :)
Jason- Well maybe you can supplement your income by renting Baxter out to Listing Agents...you know like Stagers rent their furniture :) And just think it's Pure profit my Friend, pure profit :)
I opened a door of a home to discover a mouse, plus a cat -- the cat was looking at the mouse, and ignoring me. I suggested the clients look around the garden, first, then took a broom & swept the mouse out the door, where it scurried off. The cat just settled down to sleep. Is that because he was a well fed cat, and not interested in the prey? Glad we didn't arrive in mid-kill!
Li- Loved this...you sent the client to look at the garden then swoosed the mouse out :) Cute story, thanks for sharing it.
I feel sorry the mice. I know they are dirty, but they are just trying make it in this big bad world - grinding out living for his little mouse family. ;)
We had a mouse in the office, I will post about that later. We work in such a great industry, don't we.
Kathy, I am TERRIFIED of mice, I can't help it. Rationally I know they can't do anything to me but it's one thing I just can't handle. We got a mouse here and there years ago and I put down those glue traps.....My daughter took the mouse outside and was gone forever. She carefully peeled it's feet off the glue trap! I think I made her wash her hands for a few hours :)
Audrey- When I was a kid I hit our cat with a broom for trying to eat a mouse.....:) Amazing how our perspectives change.....
Carole- Fear is usually something that isn't Peeling the feet off would be hard, especailly since sometimes it takes days for them to die on those glue traps. I would have had her wash her hands all day too.
So, did they buy? What did you do? We have to know and if I were you, you know why they are moving, so use it as a bargaining chip.
Todd- No sale :( I took the trap out to the trash.....funny about using it as a bargening chip...can you see the lender now. Sorry no discounts for mice :)
Oh I could blog about MICE! I'm terrified of them! But we live in the country and before I lived in this house it was taken over by mice and many other varmints. (I should blog about that someday) We occasionally get a field mouse in the house and have traps set out for them. It is not consistent with how clean we keep the place it just we're in the country and live in a very old house. Lots of varmints around here.
My son moved out and I was cleaning his room. There I found a mouse living in his room. Oh my goodness I screamed so loud. My family just laughed at me but I would not go back in the room until my husband killed the mouse and got rid of it.
Damn cat did nothing! Not a damn thing. I think the cat was too well fed. She did not even know what to do with it.
Nope I don't like mice. I don't even like dead mice or baby mice or cute mice. Let me just be clear about that.
Nannette- First thank you for that great laugh this morning.....I am still smiling :) So, if I am to understand you correctly you do not like mice..............not cute ones, baby ones, or dead ones....no mice for Nannette LOL :)
I would be wanting another cat....I really thing someone should have a "rent- a cat" business...you know something to help supplement our business, and keep our homes and listings varmit free :)
Kathy,
Will the mouse be included in the Agreement of Sale or are the sellers taking it/them??? Thanks, Fran
Poor Mouse - to be stuck like that fighting to get away. I realize the critters need to be taken care of - and I certainly would not want them in my home - I simply prefer other methods that do not cause them to suffer.
Fran-Thanks for the laugh...the mouse can't be included in the sale as he/she is personal property and lenders only lend on real property........ LOL :) But if anyone wants one...I'm sure we can talk the Seller into leaving a few :)
Kathleen- You are right, the glue traps seem cruel. The old fashioned traps at least kill them quickly....or you can use an electronic thing...but I heard these don't really work.
That certainly can be a deal killer. Thanks for the helpful info.
Kathy - (being a point whore here) Second comment... I read your comment and it said my 1st comment made you laugh. I'm like what did I say that was so funny? Then I re-read my 1st comment and I laughed myself. I crack myself up sometimes! Sorry this comment has nothing to do with mice but I think I've made myself clear on that topic. (see previous comment)
Pam- Mice aren't something we particularly "like" to talk about, but they sure can be a deal killer :)
Nannette- OK, today is Saturday, and now you gave me another smile.....this one is going to Seaworld with me as I am taking the day off. You know last big shindig with the kids before school starts :) Anyway, so glad that you entertain yourself...have you met Sally in the Positive Attitudes for the Weary Soul Group....she does that all the time....makes herself crack up :) :) Anyway, you have a great day my friend....and later let's have a virtual cup of coffee and chat :)
Hi Kathy,
Awww...so cute to look at but very creepy little things they way they sneak around and scare the crap out of ya! LOL! :)
Suzanne- And not only that they go and mess with all my junk food and leave that healthy stuff as my only option........ LOL :)
Hi Kathy,
I had to stop by and let you know that I saw the biggest mouse today! After I read your post i took little one to the beach and it came running out of the dunes! I have never seen a mouse at the beach! LOL! :) I'm glad they are saving the good stuff for ya.
Suzanne-Mice do live in the dunes, and in the groundcover....I've seen several, but funny they don't bother me outside....only when they're inside :) So, what did you do when you saw it...that "biggest" of mice LOL :)
Kathy - We had a house that we literally ran a trap line in for about a month catching as many a 30 in a week.
Kathy- Was your house out in the country? I think I would just freak out if I had that many mice..I used to want to live in the country, but I don't want mice LOL :)