Those of us who have pets, consider them part of the family. However, people that are not pet lovers don’t necessarily feel the same way. As a seller, your goal should be to make your property appeal to the widest audience possible. With that in mind, here are some essential tips for prepping your home if you have pets.
INVEST IN A DEEP CLEAN
Have your interior walls, floors, and upholstery professionally cleaned. A prospective buyer touring your home might be allergic to fur or pet dander. Don’t risk turning them off because you skipped this step.
REMOVE YOUR FUR BABIES FOR SHOWINGS
Whenever possible, take your pets out of the home during showings. If you have a friend or neighbor that can help you with this during your sale period, that is ideal. Also, boarding kennels or animal daycare centers are other options to consider for open house days or when you’re not available to remove your pets yourself during showings.
PICK UP THE POOH
If your pets use the yard to do their business, make sure to pick up after them before each showing. If you have bald patches of grass, re-seed or re-sod before listing.
HIDE THE EVIDENCE
Designate one specific place in the home for everything pet related…food bowls, beds, crates, toys, letter box, etc. The garage is preferable, but out of sight is key. Also put away all photos of you and your pets. You want your visitors to envision themselves living in your home.
BEFORE EACH SHOWING
Air out your house to neutralize any pet scents. If you are a cat owner, clean the litter box before every showing. Same goes for any other pet cages such as birds, rabbits, hamsters, snakes, etc.