We all love our furry friends, but did you know they may be reducing your home’s marketability. Just over 63% of US households have at least one pet, leaving over one third of non-pet owners in the buying market. Non-pet owners are often allergic to pets or simply do not prefer the presence of pets in their home. The good news is you don’t need to get rid of your dog or cat for your home appeal to a non-pet owner. Here are some tips to help “de-pet” your home for your upcoming home sale.
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Deodorize
“Pet smell” is one of the most common first indications to touring buyers that a pet dwells at the home. For many non-pet owners, the shear smell of a previous animal may turn them away from even making an offer on a property they’re interested in. Invest in pet deodorizing products that can help eliminate the pet smell from your home. Depending on the circumstance, it may be worth a few hundred dollars to professional hire a cleaner who offers in pet deodorization service.
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Thoroughly Clean
Deep clean the interior of your home from top to bottom. Pet fur is another easy indicator a pet lives at the property even if there is little to no observable “pet smell”. Regardless of a pet’s presence, the cleanliness of a home greatly impacts the perception of the homes value. Consider focusing on the following areas which regularly indicate pets:
- Flooring (carpet, hardwood, tile, etc.)
- Ventilation systems (heating ducts, cold air returns, fans, etc.)
- Furniture
- Walls
- Dusting (counter tops, shelves, light fixtures, fans, etc.)
- Glass doors/windows
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Repair Pet Damages
Pets often cause damage to atheistic features of your home over time; however, these damages are often minor and relatively inexpensive to repair. Maybe your cat always scratches the bottom of your laundry room door, or your dog chews on your table chairs. Regardless of your pet’s habit, pay attention to their actions and repair their damages. Here are a few areas to reflect:
- Carpet
- Screen doors
- Blinds/curtains
- Base boards
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Don’t Forget the Exterior
If you don’t already do so, walk around the yard and clean up all of your pet’s waste. Make sure this is especially well-cleaned in the front yard area. Buyers may cut through the front yard when coming to an open house or individual tour of the home. Stepping in doggy do-do may not only upset to potential buyer, but will easily indicate the presence of a family pet. Also, if you have a “digger”, make sure to fill in all of the holes in the yard!
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Box Up Pet Belongings
Temporarily box up all of your pet’s leashes, toys, and treats in a storage container. That way when you have planned buyer traffic you can easily load up your pet’s belongings and your pet during the showing.
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Take Your Pet During Buyer-Traffic
It is recommended to take your pet with you during a showing or open house. This may not always be possible depending on your schedule; however, a pet can be distracting during a showing and eradicate the purpose of the previous steps. Contact a neighbor or close friend before you put your house on the market and ask them to watch your pet during showings. You could also drop them off at a pet hotel as a temporary option as well.
Brought to you by:
Austin Solomon, Realtor | Coldwell Banker Action, Schofield, WI