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Quick Tips to Sell A Home with Pets...

Reblogger Will Hamm
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Hamm Homes

This is a great blog by Phyllis Lerner on selling your homes with pets.

 

Original content by Phyllis Lerner call 914.438.7556 NYS# 10491202097

 Your pets are a member of your family, and you love them as such, but when it’s time to sell your home, they can create a bit of a challenge in a few key ways.

You’re not alone if you’re trying to sell a home and you have pets. Around 60% of sellers have them, with 49% being dogs and 33% being cats. However, buyers either want to visualize their own pets in the home or, depending on their preferences, no pets at all.

Pets can also create messes and odors that can turn buyers off.

With that in mind, the following are some things to make sure you do before you try to sell a home where pets live.

Deep Clean

It’s important when your house is on the market that you keep it incredibly clean, and especially if you have pets. You want to make sure you get to the root cause of any odors as well.

For example, if you have rugs or carpets, you might need to have them professionally cleaned or even replaced to eliminate pet odors.

When you shampoo your carpets and rugs, it will draw odors out. You may need to do the same for your furniture.

Vacuum your home every day to further get rid of odors as well as fur and dander.

If there are any lingering odors after you deep clean, don’t just try to mask them. Instead, work to truly get rid of them. There are pet enzyme cleaners that work well. You might also want to put an air purifier in your home with a HEPA filter.

You have to be conscious of not just odors and cleanliness when you have pets, but there may be people who come into your home with pet allergies. You really want to focus on getting into every corner when you clean to erase any and all evidence of your animals.

Repair Damage

Pets can be destructive, and you may overlook some of this damage because you’re used to it, but possible buyers aren’t. Go through your home with fresh eyes and look for any pet damage that needs to be repaired, like scratched or torn furniture or flooring, chew marks on baseboard or window sills, or ripped curtains.

You need to do the same outside of your house too. Clean up pet waste, and cover any signs of digging in your lawn. Repair damaged fences and window screens too.

Put Away Signs of a Pet

Just like it’s a good idea to de-clutter and de-personalize your entire house when you’re preparing to sell it, you similarly want to de-pet your home. This means that you take out any cages, kennels, or play items. You should pack them up when your home is going to be shown. Put toys away, as well as food and water bowls.

Not everyone loves pets as much as you do, so if you can erase the evidence that they live there, that’s a good thing.

What About Showings?

If at all possible, put your pets elsewhere during showings and open houses. Maybe you put them at your neighbor’s house, for example, or you might even want to professionally board them. It’s really distracting to have your pets trying to escape their kennels when someone is looking at your house.

If your pets do have to stay at home, come up with a solution with your real estate agent. Don’t have them be surprised by your pets.

For example, maybe you can put them in the basement and leave a few notes if necessary.

Tell people in your note they shouldn’t try to pet your dog or cat, even if they’re friendly, because you never know how your animals will react to unfamiliar people, especially if you’re not around.

Finally, talk to your real estate agent about giving you plenty of notice before a showing so you can arrange care for your animals whenever possible.

Westchester County - Phyllis Lerner, Realtor

 



Phyllis Lerner, Realtor - Broker/Co-Owner

Westchester County NY - Real Estate Listings, Sales, Rentals & Services
914-438-7556

Voted 2010 through 2021 FIVE STAR Real Estate Agent by Westchester Magazine

(Disclaimer: Any and all grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes located within my blogs, web sites and any other content, are purely for your amusement and entertainment.) 

Show All Comments Sort:
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Thanks for sharing this reblog Will Hamm. I have one of these coming up soon...

Jul 12, 2021 04:56 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Will, having three cats and a dog, you have no idea how much kitty litter I buy in a month..future blog post:) Diane is obsessed with cleaning the kitty litter out four or five times a day.... and the dog gets lots of baths... so it is more about how clean you  are as an individual....just sayin... and most people will buy a home that is similar to the owner's life style...anyway that is my two cents. Endre

Jul 12, 2021 10:38 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I really have to do a deep deep deep clean to really get everything out of there because you really don't know who's going to buy it

Jul 12, 2021 11:28 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Will.

It is a fact, (seen it myself, several times).  Some people are allergic to animals and have severe reactions.  

Jul 13, 2021 01:09 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Will, for sharing this reblog selection.

Keep cool, stay safe and have a great day.

Jul 13, 2021 07:24 AM
Rocky Dickerson
Realty One Group - Las Vegas, NV
Superior Service!

Good morning Will! Great blog to re post. It is important to take care of these when selling such a home.

Jul 13, 2021 08:16 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Great information.  Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day!

Jul 16, 2021 06:47 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Paul and thanks for stopping by for this one

 

Jul 17, 2021 09:56 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello kristin and hope you are having a great day!

 

Jul 17, 2021 09:56 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Rocky, You are so right about taking care of this to sell a home.

 

Jul 17, 2021 09:57 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Roy and thanks for stopping by to see this reblog

 

Jul 17, 2021 09:57 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello James Dray you are so right,  I have a thing to stay away from long hair cats.

 

Jul 17, 2021 09:58 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello laura, and that it what it takes.

 

Jul 17, 2021 09:59 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Endre,  Lots of kitty liter I would think.  Can not wait to see that blog.

 

Jul 17, 2021 10:07 AM