4 Tips for Selling a Home With Pets

  Selling a home is stressful enough for home owners, but selling a home with pets can be even more stressful. In addition to the usual concerns home owners have, clients with pets also have to consider if they should move their animals out while the home is for sale, how much it will cost to repair any pet-related damage and if pet odor will deter potential buyers. When properly prepared, homes with pets can be cleaned and stated in a way that make the existence of the pets almost undetectable by following these easy steps: 1. Eliminate Pet Odor Although you might have become accustomed to it, pet odors can deter potential buyers. Our sense of smell has a powerful effect on our emotions and on our perception. To eliminate pet odor and keep potential buyers moving through the home, consider the following:

• Have carpets professionally steam cleaned. Don’t forget to also clean upholstered furniture and area rugs. Any surface that holds in pet odor should be cleaned, replaced or removed.
• Weather permitting, open windows for a few days leading up to showings to help air out your home.
• Be cautious when using air fresheners. You don’t want buyers to think you are hiding an odor. Some fresh flowers can not only help with fragrance, but also adds to the home staging.
• Consider placing an air purifier in the pet’s main living are to filter the air.
• Replace air filters that might have trapped pet dander and odor.

2. Repair Pet-Related Damage to Home and Yard Pets can cause extra wear and tear on your home, especially in the yard. Some areas to look at include:

• Over-seed the yard or patch lawn areas to repair brown spots.
• Fill in holes created by canine gardeners.
• If doors and/or window screens have been damaged or scratched, replace them.
• Clean pet hair from hard to reach places such as behind appliances and behind doors.
• If wood or laminate flooring is scratched beyond repair, consider repairing the floor. This might be a large investment up front, but it can yield great results at sale.

3. Potential Buyers might be afraid of animals and vice versa Consider relocating your pet either during the entire sale process or on days when there are showing and open houses. If you don’t have a relocation option, consider crating your pet during showings and open houses. If you pet is not used to be crated, try putting a blanket around the crate to create a den environment. You can also make a positive association with the crate by giving your pet a treat-filled toy or bone to keep them busy while in the crate. This is essential for the safety of potential buyers, and it also protects animals from getting out of the house, getting hurt, or causing harm to others.

4. Animals can experience anxiety from having strange foot traffic in their home Potential buyers might be distracted by a stressed pet and nervous barking. Talk to your vet about product recommendations to help your pet cope with this stressful time.

Above all, Lisa Southern Real Estate understands that your pets are not just animals, they are members of the family. We want to make the selling process as stress free for you, and your four legged children! Contact us today for a FREE Consultation to find out how much your home is worth in today's real estate market!