PetsWe've worked with a few sellers this past year who have house pets. Now as a proud pet owners of 2 cats and 2 dogs, we certainly understand that pets are part of the family and most times they can't move out during the time a house is on the market.

However, Smell is the FIRST thing people notice when they enter a home and many buyers may be turned away by pet smells. We once worked with someone who was so sensitive to pet smells that one time we went into a very clean, vacant condo with freshly cleaned carpets and she had to leave due to the pet smell - which I didn't notice by the way. She wasn't used to living with pets though, which makes a big difference.

So, how do you keep from losing buyers over pet odors? 

1. Don't Take Offense: First you have to realize that if you have pets, there are odors that some buyers will pick up. That doesn't necessarily mean that your home isn't clean or that your pets aren't clean. Don't take offense. It's just simply something you have to be aware of when selling your home.

2. Extra Clean: The main thing you can do is to keep your home as clean as possible. Keep the pet hair vacuumed up, the litter box cleaned, and the yard picked up. This takes some time but will help you sell your home more quickly. You may also want to consider having your carpets professionally cleaned.

3. Bring in the Fresh Air: before a showing or Open House, do your best to let in some fresh air from outside. Fresh air is the best thing for pet odors. If possible, take the pets with you when you leave, put the pets outside, or in another part of the house until the showing is completed. Also, pick up food bowls, pet beds, bags of food, etc.

4. Avoid Air Fresheners for the most part. They don't usually hide the smell and you'll end up with floral scented pet odors! Fresh baked cookies in the kitchen are good alternative. If you really feel the need for an air freshener, mix a few drops of a Citrus Essential Oil (Lemon, Lime, Orange) with cup of water. Essential Oils can be found at many health-food or grocery stores. You can spray a small amount of this in the air prior to showings.

These tips will help you sell you entice more buyers so you can sell your home faster - which helps your bottom line.

 

 

 

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22 Comments on What Can You Do About Pet Odors When You're Selling Your Home? A Few Quick Tips

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JAN
24
2008
157,065 Points 8 Featured Posts Hit Router

Matthew - thanks for the tip. I've heard that before but have never actually tried it. I'll give it a shot in my house first.

Jim - you're absolutely right. Buyers wonder what you're trying to cover up.
9:34am • #3
1,154,622 Points 38 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Kevin & Monica, I hate when people try to disguise an oder with those "fresheners" I'm glad you brought that up!  Baking Soda on even old oders can help them dissapear.
12:36pm • #4
157,065 Points 8 Featured Posts Hit Router
Hi Carole - good point about the baking soda. This does wonders for carpet, just sprinkle baking soda on your carpets and let it set for 30 minutes before vacuuming.
12:42pm • #5
3 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp
good tips, it usually makes things worse when people try to cover the pet smell.
12:54pm • #6
157,065 Points 8 Featured Posts Hit Router
Hi Joey - thanks for the comment.
1:23pm • #7
FEB
16
2008
1 Featured Post
Great subject but sometimes the problem gots so much deeper. Nervous or young pets have urinated all the way through the floor boards. Any suggestions?
11:48pm • #8
FEB
17
2008
157,065 Points 8 Featured Posts Hit Router
Hi Dionne - my husband and I also manage rentals so we've had this happen as well. I think the best thing you can do is replace the flooring. Once it reaches the floorboards, you should also have a professional installer. Ours treated the floorboards with a bleach solution. They then painted the floorboards with a Kilz type of paint and let it dry prior to installing the new flooring. This worked in our rental.
8:27am • #9
FEB
22
2008
1 Featured Post
Thanks for the response. During a listing appointment a prospective Seller had the windows open, this was in the winter. My sense a smell finally kick into gear. It was a case of a little dog that loved to urinate at the front door when ever a stranger rung the bell.
10:03pm • #10
JUN
08
2008
4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I say the best thing to do is put the pets in day care. It is so hard selling a home with pets!
9:25pm • #11
JUN
11
2008
1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor

Good points!  It is a difficult subject and petowners don't want to hear about smells. 
4:56pm • #12
JUN
16
2008

Personally, i love the smell of fresh paint!  It's like the new car smell to me.  But then, I had a painting and decorating business for 6 years.  Many would disagree with me.  on the other hand, fresh, neutral paint is  the biggest bang for your buck as far as preparing to sell your home.
6:47am • #13
SEP
11
2008

For any realtors or homeowners dealing with the odor problem I have found the miracle solution.  I am the property manager to a large apartment community.  At the beginning of every month I deal with odor problems from recently vacated apartments.  Some are more severe than others. Last month we had a really severe smelling apartment.  Even after fresh paint and new carpet we couldn't get cat urine smell out.  One of my maintenance guys brought me a product called Room Shocker this product works like no other product have ever tried.  It's simple to use and not labor or time intensive.  So there's no scrubbing or spring or wiping.  It's relatively inexpensive.  It's not a masking agent and gets rid of the odor at the source.  It not only gets rid of the smell, but it completely Decontaminates and disinfects the whole room.  So far I've been able to get rid of severe pet odor, the smell of cat urine, heavy cigarette smoke odor.   I had trouble finding the product but I found it on a website called BiocideSystems.com.  I guess it's fairly new.  I swear by this stuff now and then highly recommend it to realtors and  Or apartment managers and owners. The stuff really works!

LS
Liz Smith
12:27am • #14
267,558 Points

Great post - thanks for the tips!
7:01am • #15
157,065 Points 8 Featured Posts Hit Router

Hi Liz - thanks for the suggestion, we'll check it out.

Hi Norma - thanks for visiting our blog.
7:20am • #16
SEP
12
2008
142,476 Points 3 Featured Posts

Thanks for the good information, there is nothing worse than pets smells.

Have A Great Day
10:10pm • #17
SEP
18
2008
208,478 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Kevin and Monica, Great post.  It's amazing how pet owners don't smell the odor and sometimes take offense.  So, your #1 is very important, and might be something to discuss in full prior to listing. 
12:49pm • #18
157,065 Points 8 Featured Posts Hit Router

Hi Doris & Bob, thanks for your comments. We all run into this problem sooner or later it seems.
9:26pm • #19
OCT
20
2008
101,209 Points

Kevin and Monica,

Thanks for the post.  Seller turn their noses up (ouch) at the thought that their pets have a problem.

Liz,

Thanks for the comment about Room Shocker.
11:25pm • #20
OCT
23
2008
254,733 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

If your homeowners can afford it get an eco-quest ozone air cleaner, they work great. They are expensive but worth the money.
7:48am • #21
142,476 Points 3 Featured Posts

Some great tips, Thanks

Have A Great Day
8:18pm • #22

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Monica at LifeOhm

Portland, OR

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LifeOhm - Life Coaching for Real Estate Professionals

Address: 11954 NE Glisan St. #332, Portland, OR, 97220

Office Phone: (503) 893-9108

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Life Ohm is about living a passionate, intentional, healthy, peaceful and inspired life. I’ll share information on ways to make your road more enjoyable, your goals more attainable, and reminders about having fun and savoring life along the way. I work with individuals - including real estate professionals and executives to help them live a more happy and fulfilled life. I’d love to hear your stories on success, inspirations, and feedback – so please feel free to share!


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