If you are a pet owner, then you know how big of an impact these furry creatures have on our lives. And in more cases than not, they tend to take over our homes in spoiled pet fashion. Toys, beds, treats. Pictures of our pets find their way onto our fridge, shelves and walls. We are all for spoiling our furry friends. But when it comes to selling a home, having spoiled pets around is a downfall. So today let’s discuss the reality of trying to sell when you have pets.
To start, let’s talk pet belongings. We’ve discussed previously how decluttering is a must when selling a home and now this includes pet items. Pick up their cozy beds, toys, even food and water dishes when not in use. Do this before you take photos of your home to put on the market. There’s just something uninviting about seeing a slobbery water dish or a fur filled pet bed in home photos. Same goes for open houses or showings. Make your home seem pet free.
Now that we’ve got the belongings picked up, time to take care of the fur and smells. Be tedious in your cleaning efforts. Vacuum, sweep and mop diligently. Get the fur out of all the nooks and crannies in your home. Again, make it seem pet free. Same goes for stains and smells. Scrub that carpet Fido christened. And have a family member or friend stop by and give your home an outsiders sniff test. We tend to grow desensitized to smells in our homes, so have an outsider make sure you aren’t missing anything.
We’ve picked up, cleaned and made the home feel pet free. But I bet you’re wondering how you can make a home feel pet free when you have an actual pet. What do I do with the actual pet?! Let’s face it, even if you have the nicest pup or kitty around, they are likely to make the potential buyer feel uncomfortable during a tour. The easiest option is to relocate your pet while you are selling. Have a family member, friend, or boarding facility care for your pet during this time. We know you don’t want to give up your pet, but remember it’s temporary. With the pet out of the home you’ll have less cleaning to do and won’t have to worry about where to put the pet during showings. If relocating the pet isn’t an option, then we recommend putting the pet in a cage or kennel during showings, with a note to the realtor and potential buyer to leave the pet alone. Fido will likely be a little freaked out anyways, he doesn’t need some stranger rattling his cage or sticking their hands in there.
Selling a house is a stressful time and adding in a pet brings another element to consider. It is possible, it will just take a little more effort on your end. It comes down to making your home feel and smell pet free. So let Fido go on vacation at your sisters house, clean up and get your home sold!