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Pet-owning sellers may turn off potential buyers if they don’t keep their best friends out-of-sight during showings. If a dog or cat is around during a showing some buyer either freaks out because they're afraid of or allergic to animals, or they fall in love with the pet and don't pay attention to the house. Here is our list of advice for sellers when showing a house that has a pet:
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29 Comments on Selling Your Home and You Have Pets..Here are some tips
Depending on weather, many Sellers here will leave pups in the back yard or garage during showings. If they're friendly dogs (and if the Buyers like dogs), I don't mind. I can't imagine not having dogs around.
That's a great list, I only wish sellers would make some effort in following that advice. It is a very, very rare day that I see even two of these suggestions in practice. It is not uncommon to see fish left behind in tanks, ponds or fountains.
1) Remove photos of pets from the walls, shelves, or refrigerators.
- Since the owners still live in the home, PET LOVE is still in full effect.
2) Clean food and water bowls regularly, and hide them when not in use.
- Oddly most homes I visit that have pets have food and dishes out on the counter as well as the pet bowls.
3) Stash away pet toys, crates, carriers, and leashes.
- In house, usually clear, but outside - not a chance - it’s a minefield in many ways.
4) Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and wood floors.
- Actually I remember one home where this was done. A clean house is always impressive.
5) Keep litter boxes clean and out of sight, and remove signs of doggy potty pads.
- Thankfully, I have seen little of this. I believe it’s because when the owners are home, my clients have NO WISH to inspect the kitchen and find the litter boxes. Often the back yards are full of “gifts” anyway.
6) Open windows to let in fresh air.
- I would not expect windows to be open when owners have left the house for previews. When the owners are home, I have never seen a window open, and rarely are patio doors open, either.
7) Neutralize odors with fresh-smelling candles and air sanitizers.
- Candles in evidence - not used to neutralize odors.
8) Hire professionals to remove unsightly pet stains.
- Saving that wish for when I find a Genie
9) Board or crate animals during open houses.
- Typical “solution” is to lock them in one of the bedrooms or leave them outside. Both methods chase my clients out of the house prematurely with no incentive to return.
10) Repair visible signs of pet damage, such as scratched walls or floors.
- Put that on the Genie list.
My opinion is that the presence/evidence of a pet in the home is almost as bad as water stains in the roof or cracks in the walls - it is a major deterrent to a bid on the house. Even clients who like a pet they see, don’t want to displace the pet by buying the house.
Great tips Donald! While many, many people are pet lovers, they do pose issues when present in homes for sale.
This is a great list of "to do's list for pets" ....I have had clients refuse to go in a home if they hear a dog barking...I am a pet lover and am pretty comfortable with animals but one never knows what a dog will do?
After all we are on his turf and dogs are only doing their job of protecting their home. Cats...well they spook people when they jump up on kitchen counters out of no where! Or my clients are allergic to cats more than other animals and we have to leave the home after only a few minutes.
My personal home is on the market now, we have a 15 year old peek a poo dog ....we just take Bandit out of the house and put away all his bowls when there is a showing. I really want people to enjoy the tour of my home and see themselves living in the space vs. checking out the dog. Good Luck Pet Owners
Good tips for a listing agent to share with sellers ! Wish I could Reblog this ????????
Michael please feel free to reblog this.
Donald, when an owner says don't worry he's friendly, don't believe it. Most are only friendly to their owners not strangers. Good list!
Donald, these are wonderful tips for any seller who has a pet/pets. Thanks for sharing and like someone else said, I have added your list to my toolkit, too.
I am going to take a small risk here...If someone can train a dog to bark at looky loos,....you can make a fortune renting him out at open houses...WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF...Excuse me folks, but are you just looking today? Oh, How did you know? If they lie about it, you signal the dog to start growling..That should save every one some time here
Please make sure the home does not smell like your pet or the buyer will leave
You present a lot of great information in this post. Removing pictures/photographs of pets seems a bit extreme, however. Thanks for posting!
Great tips. You should allow reblog on this one to get more attention.
This is very important tip for home sellers. For others to reblog you need to allow your post to be re-blogged. There's a box you can check for that when you publish your post. You can edit after you publish and check the "reblog" box. Excellent list.
I tell sellers to remove pets and all signs of them during showings. I have had buyers immediately discount a home because they knew pets lived there. They suggested that homes with pets just aren't as clean. Sellers need to consider these types of buyers and make sure they don't lose a sale because of a pet.
Good list of things to do. Even if people see their pets as "family", buyers won't. I did have to chase down a large dog that was in a house that we were touring. That did not leave a positive impression and we did not go back.
To those of you who would not stop a pet from exiting the house REALLY?? How hard is it to shut the door? Unbelievable.
Good post and usefu tips...I have to side with Charlie on this one, Removing pictures is a little extreme.
Great tips. Rich's post had some nice ones as well. Thanks!
Donald - A great list of suggestions for those with pets. Many are uncomfortable going in to a home with dogs in it.
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