Tips on How to Prepare to Put Your Home in the Market if You Have Pets

  Posted on September 21, 2012  by Joy of Living  No comments

Party Marty, on this Happening Friday! Hey, fans, admirers and loyal followers of this wild and crazy cat! I am here to dispense my invaluable advice on any and all topics related to pets. I am a fountain of knowledge and am ready to serve.

Today’s topic? How to sell your home when you have had pets living there with you! You love your pets. And if you had a pet like me, well, you’d put me on a pedestal! However, when you are getting ready to sell your home, prospective buyers may not be as pet-loving as you. Believe it or not, some people find pets (gasp!) to be a negative thing. So, if you have pets in your home that you are preparing to sell, let me pass along a few tips to minimize the pets’ impact on your home. After all, you want a serious buyer NOW!

Before you show your home, do all you can to remove all signs of your pets. Put away any food and water bowls, pet toys, and litter boxes. (Don’t worry! We can hold it in for a while!) If you have a doggie door, consider replacing it or sealing up the door. If you have photos of your pets on display, pack those away temporarily. If you have bigger items like cages or dog carriers, find a discreet place in which to hide them, like in the garage or outside of the home. (Or my personal favorite, “Hey, neighbor! Can you do me a favor?”)

What about the odors and unsightly stains? This is when you devote a bit more time to cleaning your home. If your pets roam freely about the house, consider having your carpets professionally cleaned to get rid of offending spots. If some stains cannot be removed, you may want to replace the carpet/flooring before showing your home. As for those pesky odors, refrain from air fresheners. Those can aggravate someone who suffers from allergies. Opt for a heavy-duty enzyme cleaner instead. When you feel you have cleaned your best, ask a friend or extended family member to come over and inspect for stains and smells before you show your home to prospective buyers.

Another suggestion is to relocate your pets while your home is on the market. This is far better, in my opinion, than keeping them locked up in cages in the garage. If you have no friends or neighbors who are able to do this, it might be a good idea to keep your pet in a nearby kennel. I know, I know! That can be difficult, but in the long run, it can possibly help your home to sell much more quickly.

If these options just don’t set well with you, at least consider removing your pets from the home during open houses and tour hours. Of course, if you have a pet like me, well, prospective buyers will probably excitedly ask, “Does this cool cat come with the house?” SOLD!

Thanks to coldwellbanker.com for these amazing tips!