Tips for selling with pets

Key Insights

• Evidence of pets in the home can be a turnoff to potential buyers.
• Be diligent about removing pet odors and cleaning up pet hair and dander while your house is on the market.
• Fix any damages caused by pets to your home, yard and furnishings.
• Find someone to watch your pets during showings and remove evidence of pets in the home.

If you own a pet, you're likely to consider them part of the family, but potential homebuyers may not share your sentiments. Even homeowners with the most beautiful home on the block could face negative feedback from buyers who view a pet as a distraction or nuisance.

Just as you may stage your home to remove some of your personal belongings, it's important to remove evidence of your pets when potential buyers come for a showing. Here are a few tips on how to hide the potentially unpleasant side effects of having a pet in the home.

Nix all odors

Be extra diligent about cleaning your home to remove any foul odors. Mildew and animal feces are the most common turnoffs to buyers. After you've thoroughly cleaned your home inside and out, ask a friend to give your house the sniff test. Don't forget to touch up before a showing or open house.

Remove hair and dander

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, approximately 10-20% of the population is allergic to dogs and cats. Therefore, you'll want to remove as much pet hair and dander as possible. Get your carpets and upholstered furniture professionally cleaned and also consider getting your air ducts cleaned.

Fix the damages

If your pet has caused visible damage to your home or yard by digging holes in the ground or chewing furniture, you should fix the problem, replace the damaged item or remove it from view. You don't want to give your buyers a reason to wonder what other damage your pet may have done to the house or if you’ve been letting damages fester in the home.

Hide pet items

While it’s not necessary to remove dog houses or catios, you should stow all pet clutter from the home like toys, beds and food dishes during a showing. Just like kids' toys or office papers, hiding the daily clutter of your life will help provide a clean look and better show the home space. It also removes tripping hazards and potential messes and can be a great way to showcase your home storage.

Find a reliable pet sitter

It's also highly recommended that you remove your pets from the home during a showing or open house. Many boarding kennels offer daily "daycare" rates for dogs and cats, so your pets can remain safe, and potential buyers can tour your home without any distractions. If you must leave your dog or cat in the home, keep them contained in a kennel, and make sure that the real estate agent and buyer know your pet is home.

Get insights from a professional

Pets can add a lot of joy to your life, but that’s not necessarily the case for your buyer. Foul odors, dirty homes, minor damages and other by-products of pets can turn off buyers. It’s crucial to put your home in the best light, which means staging your home to be a pet-free zone and going the extra mile to clean and make updates. Professional REALTORS^Ⓡ have a critical eye, insight into what buyers look for and experience to help you sell with pets. Reach out to get expert advice from a trusted agent and effectively sell your home for top dollar.