According to the 2017 National Association of Realtors Animal House: Remodeling Impact report, in 2016 61% of households owned a pet or planned to own a pet in the future.
We do love our pets!
Personally, I'm a dog lover. I have a Chocolate Lab named Lexi who loves the snow.
There are some features that we pet owners have in our homes that can make our house more appealing to other pet owners. First, fenced yards are usually a big selling feature for a pet owner, so if your yard is fenced that's a bonus. Easy to care for floors, like tile or laminate, can be a plus for a pet owner, too. (A mud room with access to the yard is on my personal list of "good pet features.")
If you own a pet and are planning on selling your home, there are some pet-specific things you'll want to consider to put your home in the best shape for a top dollar sale.
1) Repair or replace anything that has been pet-damaged. Things like scratches on window sills or doors (Or walls! Yes, I've seen that!), damaged flooring, cabinets (I've seen that, too!), etc. - that stuff needs to be fixed. Carpeting might need to be replaced. You should also fill any holes your pet may have made in your yard.
2) Check that smell. Clean, clean clean. Make sure pet bedding is washed. Don't forget to clean any carpeting and furniture. (You might want to consider having your home professionally cleaned to make sure the pet smell is gone.) Have a friend come through after you've cleaned to see if the pet smell is gone. (Sometimes we get so used to our pet's smell that we can't pick it up anymore!)
3) When the cat's away. For showings, it's best to make arrangements for your pet to be out of the house. You'll want potential buyers to be able to roam freely through your house without having your pet under foot.
Even though I have a huge soft spot for dogs, I know that having a pet in the home can make selling a house a little challenging. However, it is possible to minimize any potential pet-related issues. If you'd like some advice on making your pet-friendly home ready for a sale, just give me a call.
This is Lexi.
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