For Pet Owners: A 10-Point Check-list when Marketing Your Home

By Kim Dillon

Home Stager with Creative Eye Home Staging

August 19, 2009 11:34 PM

For Pet Owners: A 10-Point Check-list when Marketing Your Home

Make sure you can answer a definitive NO to these ten questions:

1. Are there pet odors when you enter (ask a 3^rd party since you will be used to the smells and not notice them)? Open windows if possible for a few hours before showings and use Febreze or a similar product.

2. Is pet hair visible on floors, carpeting or furniture? Vacuum, sweep and use a sticky lint roller to remove hair.

3. Are the pets' food dishes visible? They should be out of sight or at least in a utility room.

4. Have pet toys been picked up and placed out of sight? Keep a box or basket handy to collect pet toys and then place them in the garage, basement, or a closet.

5. Are animals beds stored out of sight? Move under a bed during showings.

6. Are animal crates inside the home? If so, move them to the garage before showings.

7. Are litter boxes visible? Train your cats to use boxes where no one can see them.

8. Are litter boxes dirty? Clean them!

9. Are bags of pet food visible? Store food in an airtight container to avoid pests and so they are not visible.

10. Is the pet in your home? Take care that they are removed from the premises, contained in a fenced area ofhe yard, or crated in the garage or basement for showings.

For more details on pet solutions when your home is for sale, check out the series:

"THE MONKEY LIVES HERE": Pets and Marketing Your Home

Written by Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging. Visit our newly renovated website at: www.creativeeyehomestaging.com

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Kenneth Cole

Weichert Realtors Appleseed Group, 2043 Richmond Ave. S.I.N.Y. 10314. office phone 718-698-9797, Appleseedhomes.com... - Staten Island, NY

NYS Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Good post. We pet lovers tend to overlook the obvious.

Aug 19, 2009 11:44 PM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Much needed.. I hope people pay attention to these tips!

Aug 19, 2009 11:51 PM

Allison Stewart

St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL

St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

All very good suggestions- too often owners are unaware their pets can potentially scare off perspective buyers who may be afraid of even the most gentle ones. It is the home that must be the focal point. Good suggestions!

Aug 19, 2009 11:52 PM

April Solomon

Keller Williams Professionals - Swannanoa, NC

Broker/Realtor/GRI

Pet odors do deter many buyers. I have encountered homes with major pet odors right when you enter the property and the buyer says "Let's move on to the next one". You know right away this was the cause for them saying that. Pet owners don't realize that they are use to the smells so I think you brought out a very good point in your blog by having a third party give your home a smell test.

I am a pet owner and I find myself washing my dog every other day as soon as my nose detects the doggy odor on her body. As I don't want this smell penetrating my home.

Aug 19, 2009 11:53 PM

Mary Strang

Viroqua, WI

Another do: If you have pets you should disclose this and how many, because some buyers have allergies. I see many do not wish to buy a home a pet lived in any more than a home that is smoked in. This may seem harsh to pet owners but it as a growing trend with so many families with children who might have chronic breathing problems such as asthma where a pet dander could be a trigger.

Aug 20, 2009 12:10 AM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Kim, good points pet owners should heed to when selling their home. Thanks for the reminder.

Aug 20, 2009 12:40 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

As I just stated on your latest "Series" post, this is great advice for all sellers with pets to take seriously! Great post!

Aug 20, 2009 10:59 AM

C. Bartch

Newark, OH

Hi Kim, as stated above so many pet owners can't really see or smell the problem. This is a very useful and timely list. Do you get any negative feedback form the owner when you suggest your list?

Aug 21, 2009 01:20 AM

Ginger Foust

Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA

Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Another great post in your series with very valuable information Kim. Thanks for sharing!

Aug 21, 2009 04:15 AM

Kim Dillon

Creative Eye Home Staging - West Chester, PA

Thank you for all your comments.

Cynthia, I've never really had any negative feedback. I try to be as tactful as possible while pointing out that it is important that they know the truth. Sometimes, they don't take the advice, but I can feel good about the fact that they made a conscious decision to ignore it.

Aug 23, 2009 12:42 AM

Ana Hitzel

AccentPositives Home Staging - Corona, CA

Professional Home Stager Inland Empire

Great checklist Kim. Sometimes the cat stuff is the worst. One house I consulted on smelled fine in the morning but by noon time as it heated up it was really noticeable. Never used it but I am told Odoban works very well and lasts longer than febreze.

Aug 26, 2009 10:33 AM

Ana--Thanks for the tip about Odoban. I had not heard of it!

Aug 27, 2009 04:34 AM

Kate Paris

First Class Waterfront Properties, LLC - Acquisitions and Divestitures - Orlando, FL

Broker: Residential - Commercial - Hotels

Great checklist Kim. I also try to encourage pet owners to take their pets with them during open house, if it is at all possible. I point out that this is for the safety of their pet after all an open door can lead to a missing animal. I also keep a list of local pet sitting services handy, just in case my clients need a few suggestions.

Aug 27, 2009 09:48 AM

For Pet Owners: A 10-Point Check-list when Marketing Your Home

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