If four-legged "babies" are part of your family, they can create additional challenges by selling your home. We have compiled a comprehensive list of decisions you will need to make, as a pet owner and as a homeowner, to be successful in selling your property.
Whether you like dogs, cats, or pets of a more exotic nature, making your home presentable to potential buyers should be your top priority. For some home seekers, evidence of pets inhabiting the property can be a hindrance, even if they are pet owners themselves. So here's a quick rundown of what you'll want to do as you prepare to sell your home:
Talk to your Veterinarian
Moving can be just as stressful for your furry friends as it is for you, maybe more! Be sure to create a plan for your pets that takes into account their health and safety needs. Maybe you have a nervous pet or one that gets stressed easily. Consulting with your veterinarian helps to ensure that the needs of your entire family have been considered.
Make a Plan for Your Pet
One of the first hurdles to solve is where your pets will go. Develop a temporary shelter plan for your pets for as long as your home is on the market. This includes when photographed or displayed. Can someone take care of your pets during this time? Can Fido or Furry go to work? Can Fido go for a long walk or a car ride?
Remember: potential buyers will want access to the entire property before making decisions, so creating this plan at an early stage will save you headaches later. You will also want to ensure the safety of all potential buyers, realtors, and their pets. Thinking about this piece will help reduce stress for all the humans and furry friends involved.
Property and Marketing Photos
Speaking of keeping your animals safe and out of sight, you'll also want to make sure that no pets or evidence of pets ends up in photos of your property. This means saving pet dishes, but also ensuring that no evidence of damage done by your pet is shown in the photos either.
Make Necessary Repairs and Clean Thoroughly
If you have rugs, you probably need to clean them. If you don't have a lot of trouble spots, this could be as simple as a natural pet deodorant or enzymatic cleaners that you can purchase from your local pet store. Tough spots will even come out with a simple 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water, and a little effort! Consider hiring professionals to steam clean carpets (ask them to use an enzyme pet cleaner) and other floor surfaces.
Take a close look at how well hardwood floors have stood the test of time. Sand and repaint stains. Not only will this impress potential buyers, it will also increase the overall value of your home.
In addition to the floor, inspect doors, door frames, window sills and frames, and other areas where your pets may have left their mark. You will need to touch up these areas and repair any damage before putting your home on the market.
As a pet owner, you are certainly aware that your furniture can also show signs of pet ownership. You will need to wash the cushion covers and watch out for claw marks or bite marks on the wooden furniture (and repair any damage). If your pet is staying in the house during shows and open houses, remember to do a deep cleaning every day and to do touch-ups before each visit.
You should also think about thoroughly cleaning all those little nooks and crannies where stray pet hair or odors might have been trapped; think baseboards, bathrooms, even walls!
Consider Replacing the Floor
If all the effort in the world or professional carpet cleaners are not powerful enough to remove pet odors or carpet stains, you will need to replace the carpets or other floors. If you are replacing flooring, consider opting for quality materials that resist wear and tear and increase the value of the property; Bamboo resists pet nails and other sharp objects well, and is visually appealing! On a tighter budget, consider laminate or cork flooring options that won't show as much wear and tear as rugs.
Fresh Scents
Once you've completed all the repairs and touch-ups, you'll want to thoroughly clean your home so it smells good and fresh - no pet odors! We recommend that you replace the air filters and anything else that serves as a not-so-friendly reminder that Fluffy lives here. Consider using an air purifier or home fan with a HEPA filter that absorbs odor-causing particles like dander and allergens.
This helps potential buyers imagine themselves in your home. A thorough cleaning and home renovation helps potential buyers feel confident taking the next step in making their property their next home without also worrying about their health. You never know who may be allergic to your best friend.
Foreign Duties
Take a look at the exterior of your home to see if it is in good condition for that all-important curb appeal. In addition to checking that the exterior is neat, fill in the holes your beloved Fido dug. You can fill them with grass, mulch, and some seasonal flowers, or even a bush. Also remember to replace any damaged bushes or plants that Sweet Fido damaged! If you have a playpen or other permanent fixture that won't come off, take some time to thoroughly clean these areas. For some buyers, this can be an advantage.
Last but not least, don't forget about your neighbors' pets. A growling dog on the fence can put potential buyers off. Consider asking your neighbors if they are willing to keep Fido inside during exhibits and open houses. If not, offer to pay a dog walker to come and give your furry friend a spin!
Clearly, there is a lot of work ahead for pet owners as they prepare to sell their home. But the investment of time and money will pay off in the end; the finished work will increase the value of your property as well as the perception of your property for potential buyers.
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