Selling your house with pets at home

Almost everybody loves pets except the home buyer who is buying your house. Don't ask me why, but that's often how it works out. Home sellers who adore their pets -- and I count myself as a huge pet lover -- have a hard time imagining the negative attitudes others will have against their pets. So, while this might be a hard pill to swallow, if you want to get top dollar for your house, pay attention to how much you might lose with a dog or cat in residence. I know your probably wondering how can I lose money just because I have my dog or cat in the house. Well most of the time buyers don’t want to look at a home that has pets in it and if buyers aren’t looking at your home then they aren’t buying it, which means your home will sit on the market for longer and you’ll eventually end up dropping the list price of your home.



Why Don't Home Buyers Like Your Pet?


• Nervousness. Pets make some people very uncomfortable. Not everybody grew up with a family pet or enjoys outings at the zoo. I actually have a neighbor who can’t stand pets, and will get nervous at the sight of a dog.


• Fear. Real and irrational. It's not only dogs that instill fear in people. All kinds of silly old tales and superstitions involve cats.


• Inexperience. Pets are not always predictable and could get startled by unknown people being in your home.


• Your pets aren't their pets. They imagine yours bite, jump, vomit, claw, spit-up hairballs or are just plain hyper and bad.


#1 Preferred Pet Solution


You're not going to like this but I'll say it anyway, fully realizing that this very excellent piece of advice is likely to fall on deaf ears. The best thing to do is to relocate your pets while your home is on the market. Putting them in the back yard, in the garage or in another room that you keep locked is insufficient, and it's not fair to them or the buyer. If you have a pet locked in a room or in the garage this is an area the buyer can’t go in to look at and buyers want to see EVERY part of your home. You need to remove them from the house.


• Let a friend or relative care for your pet.


• Board them at a kennel.


• Send them on vacation.


• Send them to doggie day care during the hours you have your home open for viewing


Overcoming Negatives Associated with Your Pets


If you shrug off all professional advice and absolutely refuse to move your pets out of the house, then at least listen to these:


• Remove the Cat Litter Boxes & Dog Potty Pads


Keep them out of sight and impeccably clean. Nothing turns off buyers faster than opening the door to the laundry room and being greeted by a full or stinky cat box.


• Clean the Carpet & Floor Pet Stains


Hire professionals to remove the stains. Buyers will spot them and form unfavorable opinions about the rest of the house. If the stains can't be removed, then remove the floor covering and replace it.


• Pet Odors and Smells


1. Cat urine is the worst. Without question. The. Worst. Bring in a neighbor to do a whiff test.


2. Try enzyme cleaners such as Simple Solution, Nature's Miracle or call a professional ozone company.


Remove Signs of a Pet


You may be required by state law to disclose that pets have lived in your home, but you don't need to advertise that pets live at your house. Removing signs that you have a pet is simply smart practice. No point in turning off potential buyers? It's those first impressions that count the most.


• Do not put photos online showing your cat asleep on the bed


• Seal up doggie doors


• Put away food and water bowls when not in use


• Vacuum religiously, every day, sometimes twice a day


• Pick up pet toys and put them away


• Pack up cat trees and other signs of cat paraphernalia (you know who you are)


• Remove photos of pets from refrigerator, walls and table tops (family photos should also be removed)


• Pack up all cages, carriers, etc.


Showing Your House


Put your pets into a carrier and attach a note warning buyers not to disturb them. The last thing you need is somebody sticking their hand inside the carrier and getting bit or scratched. You can't predict how your pet will react when locked up and alone.


So for all the pet owners out there it’s like I said, if you’re not going to send your pet to a friend’s house or away to doggie day care then at least clear your home of showing that there is a pet living there.


I hope these tips can help you. I would love to hear your comments so please leave a comment below!


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