Pets are important members of many families, and their needs and safety must be considered when your home is for sale. Although you probably love your pets, that doesn't mean buyers will love them as well. Allergies, fear, sanitation and culture aren't only reasons why some potential buyers don't have pets: They also could be reasons why they, and even some pet lovers, will pass on your house.
Even if your dog has never bitten anyone, it might decide to defend its territory if you're not present when strangers come into your house. In your dog's mind, it's only protecting its domain and yours too; after all, that's your dog's job. Loud barking alone could scare away potential buyers before they even step onto your property. Continuous barking or squawking can be distracting and unnerving. Remember that buyers' fears, beliefs and feelings towards animals are real and should be considered.
For those who have allergies, pet dander is truly a problem. If you are fortunate enough not to suffer from these types of allergies, you might not detect smells or allergens in your home; however, highly sensitive types will.
Professionally cleaning carpets where pets live is always recommended when a home is for sale. If your carpets are stained or threadbare, you should seriously consider replacement.
These easy steps should help you protect the health, safety and security of your pets and prospective buyers:
1. Ideally it is best to remove pets from the premises while showing the property
2. Crate & cage your pets while selling, especially if aggression has been shown in your animals before. Also, this protects them from possible escape to the outdoors when doors are unexpectedly opened.
3. Keep pets in one room if possible; perhaps a laundry room or spare bedroom. Make a sign for the door and let buyers know that pets are in that room but contained (or if not crated, let them know not to open the door!)
4. Remove all evidence of pets, including odors, droppings, food, toys, beds, fur, feathers, scales, etc. from all rooms of the house and your yard. Food and water bowls should be removed daily, and pet toys should be neatly stored out of sight.
FYI - Here's an innovative product we found for cat lovers who don't want to remove their cat for showings: Litter Garage
Want advice on how to sell a house for the most money possible? Check out other home selling tips and home staging tips on our blog, or learn other ways to better sell and stage a home by going to our forum.
Find a Realtor here.
Do your house real estate search here.
Find a Stager here.
Find a Stager in your area offering special promotions here.
Get our 101 Home Selling and Home Staging Tips report here.
Get house selling and house staging advice from our short 90-second videos here.
Other helpful topic overviews: Home Selling, Home Staging, House Staging, Home Staging Tips, and Home Selling Tips.