Most of us Realtors are animal lovers and have pets of our own, but we also share many stories about showing homes where our clients went into a sneezing fit, we got bitten by a cantankerous furry creature, or opened the front door only to helplessly see a cute kitty scoot toward the nearest busy street.
It is essential to take pets into consideration if you put your house on the market. Make sure you work out the showing arrangements/instructions carefully with your Realtor, since it is important for showing agents to know what to expect inside your home. It is difficult to get a buyer excited about your home if he or she is sneezing continuously or unwilling to cross the threshold because your dog is barking away intruders.
If you wish to sell your home quickly and for top market price, please keep these key considerations regarding pets:
- Safety - although most pets are harmless, they may hinder the buyers' experience and put a "negative aura" for your home in their minds. Take dogs out for a walk of keep them in a cage during showings. Make sure to mention to showing agents about your pets, as buyers could potentially be allergic or scared of cats or dogs (especially if they bring children along).
- Odors - this could be a "death sentence" for your home. Many pet owners get used to their pets' smells and don't notice them any longer. Make sure you ask someone who does not own any pets to walk through your home and tell you honestly whether they believe it is a problem or not, and deal with this issue proactively before you place your home in the market.
- Cleanliness - Buyers will notice fur balls, cat hair, unclean kitty litter or messy food stations. They will get turned off by them and move on to the next home on their list!
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