Selling your home is a major life decision affecting all members of the family, including your beloved pets. According to the 2012 US Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook, 36.5% of households own dogs and 30.4% own cats.
While your furry friends are considered part of the family, owning pets can significantly reduce a home’s value. Removing evidence of pet occupancy will help preserve value and increase the selling potential of your home.
Here are 12 tips to help sell your home when you have pets:
- Speak with your veterinarian about what’s appropriate for your pets during this time.
- Consider relocating your pet while your home is on the market. Placing pets in a stable home environment may be the best way to keep them happy and healthy.
- Don’t leave pets at home during showings. Too many risks are involved keeping pets at home without you present.
- Remove pet odor using an enzymatic cleaner such as Urine Gone or Nature’s Miracle. Don’t go overboard with room sprays or plug-in scent diffusers.
- Hire a professional to remove stains and damaged flooring.
- Remove litter boxes and vacuum up every bit of litter.
- Put pet food, bowls, cat “condos”, scratching posts, and pet toys away.
- Remove all pet photos along with personal photos.
- Make sure pets haven’t “photo-bombed” marketing photos.
- Clean up the yard!
- Repair holes and patches of dead grass. Hire a landscaper to spruce up the yard.
- Ensure there are no fleas in the home. If your pet ever had fleas, so did your house. Hire a professional pest inspector to assess your home.
Follow these 12 simple and effective tips to increase your home’s selling potential and keep your pets happy and healthy.
For more pet tips click here.
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