IL Dog Realtor - Robbin Muhr

Buying or selling a home can be stressful enough, how do you think your pets feel about it? They don’t know what’s really going on, only that their routine is changing.
New people.
New smells.
Short tempers.
Excitement. The list goes on.

Take a deep breath and contact a realtor who can guide you AND your pets through all the new changes.
This is more than a transaction - it’s a turning point in all your lives. You deserve to work with someone who realizes that, and treats it as such. DM for a strategy session.

Things you only realize after you move into a new house with a dog…

The floors can be louder than you expected.
A dog who used to nap all day might suddenly become obsessed with watching the street from a particular window.
The furnace might kick on in a spot that makes them jump.
The neighbor’s dog may become their new best friend… or their new nemesis (my neighbors dog Bogie is now besties with my Clyde, it took awhile though!)
They may refuse to use one patch of the yard because apparently the grass is unacceptable.

Then there are the things you really don’t discover until you live there:
Does the sun heat up their favorite spot in the afternoon?
Does the front door open directly onto the sidewalk?
Can they see every delivery driver who comes to the house?
Is there somewhere quiet for them when guests come over?

These aren't necessarily deal-breakers, but they can make a big difference in how your dog settles into a new home.

Those little details can make a new house feel like home a whole lot faster. And this guy knows a thing or two about new beginnings, he was adopted through Collie Rescue of Greater IL, Inc. an organization that helps Collies find their next homes.
❤️ If you’re thinking about adding a Collie to your family, they’re worth knowing about.

What’s one thing you wish someone had told you about moving with a dog? I’m collecting the answers for the next dog-parent home checklist. 🐶🏡

Think you know what a Realtor does? Ask a high school student.

Last night Gabriella Rastelli , Sally Sally Haynes - KW ONEChicago and I had a great time at the D207 Postsecondary Expo talking with students from Maine East High School , Maine West High School and Maine South High School about careers that don’t require a traditional 4-year college degree.
We asked them what they thought a typical day looks like for a Realtor and sure got some interesting answers! If your only exposure to real estate is what you see on TV, it wasn’t hard to understand why!

The three of us have been licensed for 4, 16 and 30 years, and we each took a different path to get here. Today, we own our own businesses, work as entrepreneurs and continue learning every single day.

Real estate is SO much more than selling houses. It’s sales, marketing, problem-solving, relationship building, business ownership and a whole lot of adapting with a little psychology thrown in. For sure there’s definitely no typical day.

We’re big believers in education whether that’s a 4-year degree, trade school, certification, apprenticeship or OJT.

There isn’t one right path. There’s YOUR path.

Last night was a great reminder to explore your options, ask questions and keep learning. You never know where one conversation might lead.

P.S. and if anyone is curious or wants to chat about anything real estate related, give us a call or check out KW Prep which will get you set up for success.

Somebody always has to be the fun police.
When you move into a new house, you start figuring out pretty quick what works, and what absolutely does not. And it comes with a lot of new rules, routines and opinions. Where the furniture goes. Which room becomes the office. Who gets the good bedroom.The dogs find the weird spots to nap, develop opinions about the neighbors and somehow manage to make themselves part of every decision.

Buying or selling a home is kind of like that too. There are plenty of things you’ll have questions about (ALL are important, don’t be afraid to ask), and some things you probably won’t even think to ask until you’re in the middle of it. That’s one of the reasons I like talking about the little things with my clients, not only the big real estate stuff.

If we’ve worked together before, you know I always ask the hard questions. The photos might make you love the kitchen, but can you really move around well in that layout?
Do you really need that room or area that is never used? (Just because it’s popular, doesn’t mean it’s the right decision for you!)
Are the windows too high or low for the dog?
What sounds do you hear?
Those little things can often tell you a lot more than the pretty stuff. These are things I think about when I’m showing homes around Chicago and the Northwest suburbs.

I’m open for a confidential conversation, are YOU?

And while we’re at it, what’s the first house rule your dog would break? My boys insist on eating their food in the middle of the rug, even though their bowls are in a nice private corner.

Not every backyard reno is going to impress your dog.
You can spend alot of time planning the perfect landscaping, planting new things and making the yard look amazing for YOU... and your dog may look at all that hard work and say “Great. Now where’s MY spot?”

If you’re buying a home in Chicago or the Northwest suburbs (or anywhere really) and especially with a dog, I think it’s worth looking at things a little differently. Is there enough room to run? Is fencing actually practical (or allowed)? Where will play time, zoomies and possible digging happen? Do they have their p**p spot picked out? Because a beautiful yard is nice, but a dog-friendly backyard that works for real life is even better. Everyone should be comfy there.

The next time you look at a house, look at the yard through your dog’s eyes. If they could pick your next one, what would be on their wish list?