How to Sell Your Home With Pets

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a pet lover.  I’m definitely one of “those” owners who is way too affectionate with their dog.  Which means I’ve got pretty much 2 things on my mind at any given moment: real estate, and my pup.  Pets are a part of the family, and when it comes time to sell your home, they can add some extra steps. Owning pets doesn’t have to mean a major obstacle for selling your home, though. Here are a few easy-to-follow tips that will have your place ready for showings in a snap:

I’m going to use this post to shamelessly show you pictures of Briggs 😉

Find a pet sitter during showings
There’s a good chance your prospective buyers are pet-friendly, but there’s also a chance that they don’t like animals or have allergies.  There is a liability there as well if anything happens to a prospective buyer.  I know my dog is very friendly when I’m around, but super protective of our home, especially if we’re not there.  The safe bet is to keep your pets away from the home during a showing.

“You can let anyone in my house as long as I’m at the beach!”-Briggs

Give the home a thorough cleaning
Pet owners know that hair finds its way into every nook and cranny of a home.  No matter how hard I try to keep up with dog hair, it always finds its way back.  When you’re getting ready to sell your home, you should give it a top to bottom cleaning anyway, but if you’ve got pets you’ll want to especially do so. This means cleaning behind and underneath furniture and rugs, emptying out and cleaning closets, and cleaning any other hard-to-reach spaces that might be skipped during routine cleaning. Getting rid of pet hair and dust in those spaces will make a noticeable difference.  This also will help combat pet smell: most pet owners become nose blind to the “dog” or “cat” smell in their home after a while, but buyers will definitely notice!

Get those paw prints and nose smudges off the windows! 

Create a quick pre-showing cleaning routine
The deep clean is a good start, but before a buyer shows up, make sure to sweep the floors, clean smudges from windows, and remove any hair from blankets and furniture.  You don’t need to necessarily hide the fact that a pet lives there, but aside from maybe a toy bin and some food dishes, it shouldn’t be obvious.  I’m also a big fan of the unscented Febreze Allergen Reducer (I have both the air spray and the fabric spray at my house). I think it does a great job of leaving the home smelling and feeling fresh, without being bogged down with scent. It also supposedly removes airborne allergens, which may be helpful for potential buyers with allergies.

Pro Tip: Save wrapping a pup in a blanket till you’re under contract!

 

Organize pet toys and other items
You don’t want toys, leashes, and other pet items strewn about your home.  It should look like a human’s home, not an oversized doghouse. Get rid of the clutter and put all your pet items in one spot. A mud room or laundry room is a great spot for your pet’s belongings.  If you have a cat that uses a litter box, it may be a good idea to put a cover over it at least when showings are being conducted.  That way buyers won’t be staring into your cat’s litter box, and it may help contain any odor. This will improve your home’s appearance and show buyers that you are careful about containing pet-related activities.

Getting toys into bins can be hard if your pet won’t give them up!

What other ways have you prepped to sell your home with pets? Or do you have a horror story of a home with pet clutter and funk? Tell us in the comments!