In a previous post I talked about some of the challenges that pet-owners run into trying to sell their homes and what to do about it. Today, I’m sharing real-world real estate advice, so pet-owners know how to prepare for and have a successful showing.
Here’s how you can put your best foot forward and help me, your agent, get the best price for your home.
Remove your pet from the home during showings.
Pets are unpredictable but especially so when strangers are walking through their home. Buyers don’t take kindly to animals barking at them or jumping on them. Pets (and you, too for that matter) must be off the premises during the showing. It’ll help your buyers feel more at home.
Having a pet around during showings is a huge liability that puts everyone at risk; if something happens you can, and likely will, be held responsible. I’ve known buyers who will refuse to look at a home if an animal is present, which of course isolates your potential for a sale. Even buyers who love pets don’t typically appreciate them when they are looking at a potential home to buy.
Deep clean your home and then deodorize.
We get so used to the pet odors in our homes that oftentimes we aren’t aware that there even is an odor. A bad smell is an immediate turn-off for buyers, and they oftentimes will decide to “pass” on the spot. Air freshener and candles do not mask the smell of pets, you will need to take the time to deep clean every room in the house and treat it with a deodorizer specifically for pet odors. You’ll also need to clean all fabrics and replace the furnace filters. I highly recommend that you have all of this done professionally.
After deep cleaning your home, you’ll then have to stay on top of it and go through it again for the next showing. Because of this reason many pet-owners will temporarily relocate their animals when selling their homes. A home with a reputation of stinky odors will have a tough time selling.
Remove all signs of your pet living there.
Pack up and remove everything that is pet related. You do not want a sign of pets to be the first impression for a potential buyer. Get rid of litter boxes, crates, toys, food and water bowls, leashes, scratching posts or furniture, and all personal photos. You want to stage your home in a way that a potential buyer wouldn’t even be able to tell that a pet lives there. And because your agent will need access to the whole house you won’t be able to tuck them away in a closet. If you overlook something it’s okay a pet-friendly real estate agent is a pro at handling things that come up, just put your best foot forward.
Repair damages inside and outside of the home.
Even the best-behaved animals will destroy things. Pets will be pets and it’s not uncommon for them to scratch, chew, break, or tear things up. We forgive them because we love them but it’s not what a potential buyer wants to see when purchasing a home. Buyers are extremely critical and especially so if they learn the homeowner has pets. Before listing your home, you should make necessary repairs to get your house show ready. If you’re still residing in the home, you’ll want to keep a close watch out for anything new that comes up and make sure that is fixed immediately and especially before any showing.
Clean up and pay attention to the yard.
Sellers spend so much time making sure their house is ready for the showings that oftentimes the yard is overlooked. You cannot neglect your yard, for some buyers it will be just as important as the house itself. Pick up messes, make necessary repairs, and replace sod where needed.
Your homes curb appeal and the landscape are the first impression a potential buyer will have of your home. Make it count. An investment here could pay off in a big way.
Having pets does require a little extra effort when it comes time to sell your home but before investing in expensive repairs, call me. I can assess where you’re at, the actual work that needs to be done, and most importantly how best to go about it so we can get you on the market quickly and get you the best price for your home.
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