Guest post by Tonya Nelson, Redfin real estate agent
My pets have always been a part of my family, and I know that having these furry family members means living a little differently: surrounded by dog beds, cat trees, pet hair, and even muddy paw prints. It works for me, but I also recognize that not everyone is as pet-friendly. This is especially true when it comes to home buyers. Even those who love their own pets don’t want to see or smell evidence of yours when they’re house hunting. Here are my top tips for selling a home when you have pets:
1. Do a deep clean
This probably includes having your carpets deep cleaned to get rid of any stains or smells. And speaking of smells …
2. Clear the air
Pro tip 1: Take your dog for a walk when you’re showing your house.
Even if your home is spotless, it may still smell of animals. After living with your pets for years, you may not even notice! I had one client with seven cats, and I had them clean the ducts in the home because the pet hair and dander was in the ducts and you couldn’t get rid of the smell. I also suggest that sellers use plug-ins or air fresheners that put scents in the air every couple of hours. But don’t use floral scents! For whatever reason, floral scents do not work well to mask animal smells. Instead, use vanilla or spice.
3. Hide the evidence
Get those litter boxes, dog beds, food dishes and cat trees out of sight. Hide them in a neighbor’s garage or haul them all out to your car to take off the premises while potential buyers are wandering through your home.
4. Relocate Rover
Pro tip 2: Schedule an out-of-the-house play date when prospective buyers are at your house.
If an agent is showing your home to potential buyers, find somewhere else for your canine or feline friends to stay. If you expect a lot of traffic to your home over a short period of time – say for an open house or a packed schedule of tours over several days—this may mean finding a sitter for a short period of time. If you have a dog and only need to get your pup out of the house for a few hours, you can spend the time at a local dog park.
Good luck selling your home and finding a new place to reside with your furry family members.
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