We know home sellers love their pets. But many buyers can be afraid of dogs big and small, allergic to cats and turned off by lingering pet odors. It's sometimes difficult to rein home sellers in on taming their pets when marketing a home, here are some tips to help them keep focused on their goal, selling their home.
Do
Have carpets and area rugs cleaned before showing your home to potential buyers. Those allergic to animal dander and hair, even if they can't see your pet, will know when their eyes and nose start to alert them to an allergic reaction. Many will not purchase a home that poses strong allergy problems.
Clean litter boxes daily and replace litter before it's time to show the house. Urine smells permeating from litter boxes are a turn-off to home buyers.
Vacuum pet hair off carpets, rugs and furniture before every showing. No one likes to leave a home tour covered with pet hair.
Brush your pets daily to keep ahead of shedding hair.
Verify that old pet urine mishaps in carpets and under rugs on hardwood floors are gone for good. Hot humid weather can bring these old scents back to life.
Train pets not to jump up on strangers, furniture and countertops. It is distracting for buyers to see cats running in food preparation areas and dogs mauling quality clothing.
Take the high road and offer to pay medical bills if your pet bites a buyer or real estate agent. Agent communities are small and word gets around fast about home sellers that don't take responsibility for unruly pets.
Clean up and buy new dog bowls before placing your home on the market. Fresh pet bowls filled with fresh food and water finish off a pristine home.
Don't
Leave pets unattended for property showings especially when you know they can be aggressive or territorial around strangers.
Take for granted just because you have never seen your pet be aggressive that if around new people, scents and noises they won't show a side you've never seen.
Overlook picking up dog droppings in the yard. Buyers out to take a look at the roof don't want any "take away."
Underestimate how a barking dog or overly friendly cats can kill a showing. Be pro-active and take your pets off site for showings. Hire a dog walker to occupy pets if you can't be home.
Forget to groom your animals more regularly when your home is for sale. Dog breath and wet dog hair aren't becoming to buyers, even if they love dogs.
Leave chewed window sills and door frames in that condition. It's hard for buyers to get past this type of property damage. Especially if you have young children in the house.
Consult with your real estate agent if you have uncommon pets such as reptiles, spiders, and talking birds. Believe it or not these can cause more anguish to those not accustomed to being around them.
Published: May 18, 2006
Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.
 Mark Nash is a Chicago-based residential real estate author, broker and columnist. Mark's analysis, tips and trends are featured in national magazines, newspapers, on network and cable television. His annual year-end forecast; "What's In, What's Out with Homebuyers" is utilized by more than 500 news organizations in North America.
Mark's books include: 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home, Real Estate A-Z for Buying & Selling a Home, Fundamentals of Marketing for Real Estate Professionals, Starting & Succeeding in Real Estate and Reaching Out: The Financial Power of Niche Marketing.
He is broker associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and his real estate analysis has been featured on: Bloomberg Television, CBS News, CNN, Fox News, HGTV.com, The New York Times, The Today Show, and The Washington Post. The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. featured Nash in March 2007.
You can contact Mark at . |
